Tag: orthopaedics

Health

Augmented Reality Revolutionises Joint Replacement Surgery in Goa with Pixee Technology

Tanisha Cardozo

In a transformative leap for orthopaedic care, Goa has successfully completed 50 joint replacement surgeries using Pixee, a revolutionary Augmented Reality (AR) surgical platform developed in France and introduced in India by global medtech leader Meril.

Spearheaded by Dr. Ameya Velingker and his team at Bone and Joint Care, this achievement marks Goa’s entry into the future of surgical innovation.

Pixee is an AR-assisted surgical platform that provides real-time 3D anatomical visualisation during joint replacement procedures. It helps surgeons view exact internal anatomy and make highly precise incisions and alignments, reducing human error and improving the overall outcome of the surgery.

Using smart glasses and tracking systems, Pixee overlays real-time digital guides on the surgeon’s field of view. This ensures:

  • Accurate bone alignment
  • Minimal tissue damage
  • Shorter surgery duration
  • Reduced post-op complications
  • Faster recovery for patients

“Integrating Pixee AR technology into our surgical practice has been a game-changer,” said Dr. Ameya Velingker.
“We’re now able to visualise patient anatomy in real time, make ultra-precise incisions, and complete procedures more efficiently. This means less blood loss, faster recovery, and better long-term outcomes for our patients.”

While the spotlight is currently on orthopaedics, AR is poised to transform multiple medical fields. Its applications in neurosurgery, oncology, and cardiology are expanding rapidly. Whether it’s guiding a brain surgeon through a delicate procedure or helping an oncologist localise a tumour, AR’s potential to improve safety and precision is unmatched.

This milestone places Goa at the forefront of healthcare innovation in India. Patients no longer need to travel to metropolitan cities for state-of-the-art care. With AR-powered procedures now available locally, Bone and Joint Care is reshaping how surgeries are experienced in the region.

As Bone and Joint Care continues to pioneer advancements in AR-assisted surgery, the future of minimally invasive, precise, and patient-focused care becomes a reality. This is just the beginning of how technology like Pixee is reshaping the surgical landscape — one joint at a time.

Health Scope

ACL INJURIES IN KNEE: Treatment Options and Myths of Recovery

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Dr. Charan Phayade

Dr. Charan Phayade is a Consultant Sports Surgeon at Goa Medical College, specializing in knee injuries and sports medicine. With extensive training from prestigious institutions in the UK and membership in the Knee Surgeons of India, Dr. Phayade brings expert insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of ACL injuries. In this article, he shares his expertise to help patients understand their options and dispel common myths about ACL recovery.

🔍 What Is an ACL Injury?

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the key stabilizers inside the knee joint, along with the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL). These ligaments ensure joint stability during activities like running, jumping, squatting, or abrupt direction changes.

  • ACL injuries often occur due to twisting falls, particularly in sports like football.
  • PCL injuries usually result from more severe trauma, like road accidents.

🩺 Common Symptoms

  • Instability or a “give way” sensation in the knee
  • Pain and swelling, especially during movement
  • Buckling or locking (if accompanied by meniscal injury)
  • Clicking noises in severe cases

🧪 Diagnosis & Investigations

A suspected ACL injury is initially diagnosed through clinical examination and later confirmed using MRI scanning to assess the extent of damage.

💡 Treatment Options: Conservative vs Surgical

  • Surgical: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction (keyhole surgery) is recommended for:
    • Complete tears
    • Younger patients
    • Individuals involved in high-demand sports
  • Conservative: Partial or low-grade tears in low-activity individuals can be managed with:
    • Physiotherapy
    • Knee braces
    • Strengthening exercises

Dr. Phayade notes that treatment is highly patient-specific and should be tailored to the individual’s activity level, age, and degree of tear.

🏃‍♂️ Rehabilitation: What to Expect Post Surgery

After robust fixation using the patient’s own hamstring tendons or BTB graft, recovery milestones include:

  • Day 1: Start walking with a brace
  • 2 weeks: Begin gym cycling, swimming
  • 3 months: Resume running
  • 3–4 months: Begin squatting
  • 6–8 months: Most patients can return to sports

❗ Busting the Myths:

  • Myth: ACL surgery means long-term immobility
    Fact: You begin walking the next day with a brace!
  • Myth: Recovery always takes a year
    Fact: Many return to sport in 6–8 months with proper rehab
  • Myth: All ACL tears need surgery
    Fact: Partial tears may not, especially in non-athletes