Yenepoya specialty hospital performs first-ever episealer knee implant in South India

Yenepoya specialty hospital performs first-ever episealer knee implant in South India

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 7, 2024: Yenepoya Specialty Hospital in Kodialbail, Mangalore, performed the first-ever Episealer Knee Implant in South India on June 30, 2024. This groundbreaking surgery was conducted by Dr. Deepak Rai, a certified Robotic Joint Replacement and Arthroscopy Surgeon, along with Prof. Leif Ryd, former Professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and Founder of Episurf Medical AB.

Dr. Rai, Chief Robotic Joint Replacement and Arthroscopy Surgeon at the hospital, announced this significant advancement in orthopedic surgery during a press conference held at Mangaluru Press Club this morning. He was accompanied by Dr. Mohammed Thahir, Medical Director of the hospital, and Mr. Mohan Nair, Managing Director of Episurf India Pvt. Ltd.

Explaining knee anatomy, Dr. Rai said the knee joint is the largest joint in the body, connecting the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone), and the patella (kneecap). It is a weight-bearing joint that allows the leg to move and bend. The surfaces where the bones meet are covered by cartilage, a spongy material that acts as a shock absorber. This cartilage is lubricated by joint fluid, ensuring low friction in the joint.

Dr. Rai further informed the media that joint resurfacing with Episealer is a new solution for patients suffering from certain types of knee pain. “Episealer is an individualized implant designed for the treatment of focal osteochondral defects and early osteoarthritis lesions. Episurf Medical has developed this personalized treatment option to replace the affected area of the joint surface. The goal of the surgery is to restore knee function, significantly reduce pain, and delay or prevent the need for joint replacement surgery,” he said.

The individualized design of the Episealer Knee Implant is based on MR imaging. By processing the data, a virtual 3D model of the damaged knee surface is created, and the lesion is defined. Subsequently, the Episealer and instruments are designed to remove the damaged tissue and restore the area with a perfectly fitting implant. Using the Epiguide during surgery increases the precision of the surgical procedure for optimal positioning of the implant.

The Episealer is made of cobalt-chrome alloy. The part of the Episealer that is countersunk in the bone and cartilage is covered with a titanium undercoating and a hydroxyapatite outer coating, ensuring quick and lasting fixation to the bone. Mr. Mohan Nair added that Episurf Medical is dedicated to providing individuals suffering from painful joint injuries with a more active and healthier life through minimally invasive and individualized treatment options. Episurf Medical’s Episealer® individualized implants and Epiguide® surgical drill guides are developed  for treating localized cartilage injuries in joints. Episurf Medical’s μiFidelity® system enables implants to be cost-efficiently tailored to each individual’s unique injury for optimal fit and minimal intervention.