Apollo Hospitals introduces joint preservation program to minimise surgeries

Hyderabad: Apollo Hospitals has introduced the Apollo Joint Preservation Program, an initiative aimed at improving joint health through early intervention and personalised treatment.

The program is set to be implemented across Apollo’s network and focuses on non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments to help individuals maintain mobility and avoid major joint surgeries when possible.

Program focus and objectives

The Apollo Joint Preservation Program is designed for individuals suffering from joint pain, arthritis, ligament injuries, and inflammatory conditions. It emphasizes lifestyle changes, regenerative therapies, and rehabilitation to delay or prevent invasive procedures.

At the launch event, Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, highlighted the program’s patient-centric approach. “The Joint Preservation Program at Apollo is built around patient comfort and support, designed to benefit individuals of all ages who may not be aware of the treatment options available for joint pain or degeneration. Through this unique program, our team of specialists will focus on ‘3 Ts’: Tailored advice, Treatment (both medical and surgical), and Therapies (including rehabilitation, nutrition, and alternative therapies). This multi-city initiative underscores our commitment to helping people preserve their mobility and enhance their quality of life in the long term. By prioritizing joint function optimization, we want to empower individuals to maintain an active lifestyle and continue doing what they love,” she said.

Expert Insights on Joint Preservation

Leading orthopaedic specialists at Apollo Hospitals spoke about the program’s role in redefining joint care through a combination of advanced treatments and personalized rehabilitation plans.

Dr KJ Reddy, Chief Joint Replacement and Arthroscopic Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, explained the significance of joint preservation: “The Apollo Joint Preservation Program integrates advanced arthroscopic techniques with therapies to redefine joint care. We are focused on preserving joint function and delaying or even avoiding the need for a full replacement.”

Dr Ravi Teja Rudraraju, Consultant - Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive treatment pathway: “This program offers an integrated pathway that combines cutting-edge regenerative therapies with comprehensive rehabilitation and nutritional support. This leads to every patient having a personalized, clear, and comfortable path to recovery. With enhanced patient engagement through multiple touchpoints, the program will facilitate early and effective treatment for joint conditions, ultimately leading to improved clinical outcomes.”

Minimizing Downtime for Sportspersons and Active Individuals

Dr Kaushik Reddy, Senior Consultant - Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, highlighted the program’s role in addressing sports-related injuries. He spoke about how it aims to minimize downtime for athletes and promote natural healing without resorting to immediate surgical interventions.

Dr Prashant Meshram, Consultant - Shoulder Surgeon, stated that the initiative will set new benchmarks in joint care, particularly for shoulder-related conditions: “This program will help offer patients a viable alternative to immediate surgery, focusing on function restoration and long-term joint health.”

Dr Varun Kommalapati, Consultant - Foot and Ankle Surgeon, added that the program will provide targeted, minimally invasive interventions. “By addressing the root causes of joint problems, we aim to enable lasting mobility and an improved quality of life for patients.”

Innovative Therapies and Treatment Approaches

The Apollo Joint Preservation Program incorporates advanced Orthobiologic therapies, regenerative treatments such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, and stem cell applications. These treatments aim to support joint function while reducing the need for major surgeries.

• PRP injections are expected to utilize the body’s natural healing capacity to reduce inflammation and accelerate joint repair.

• Regenerative therapies, including stem cell treatments, will focus on cartilage regeneration and joint functionality improvement.

• Surgical interventions, when required, will include osteotomies for alignment correction and minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopic repairs for ligament and cartilage injuries.

Dr Brett Fritsch, an orthopaedic surgeon from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, was also present at the event, lending his expertise on joint preservation techniques.

The program offers additional support services, including physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and nutritional counselling for weight management. These services are aimed at preserving natural joint function while preparing patients for joint replacement surgery if necessary.