Live Discussion with Dr. Mannu Bhatia
Questions doctors asked during the Jivo Masterclass on Diagnosis and Management of Arthritis in Joints, taught by Dr. Mannu Bhatia, Associate Director, Centre for Orthopaedics, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India, on . Written by Jivo Healthcare from the transcript of the session, drafted with AI assistance and edited by the Jivo team.
What is the definitive treatment for osteoarthritis?
Asked by Dr. Sunday
The definitive treatment is that the patient should be visiting the doctor regularly. If the condition is detected and treated at an early stage, that is the definitive treatment. A patient who ignores an ACL injury, skips the recommended MRI, skips the recommended surgery and skips the medicines is the one who progresses to osteoarthritis and eventually needs a knee replacement. Patients with a problem in one knee who don't get it treated often go on to develop the same problem in the other knee, then the hips, then the spine. The definitive treatment is listening to the doctor and following through, whether that means physiotherapy or treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Answered by Dr. Mannu Bhatia
I have a patient with intermittent elbow pain, treated with oral and topical NSAIDs followed by PRP injections. What is the outcome of PRP for this patient in Ethiopia?
Asked by Moderator
I am not a strong advocate for PRP. Once the joint surface and the cartilage are already gone, PRP cannot regenerate them, so I don't believe it delivers a real result. I would want to see the patient's X-rays, and an MRI if needed, before deciding what should actually be done.
Answered by Dr. Mannu Bhatia
What are the absolute contraindications for joint replacement?
Asked by Moderator
As surgical techniques progress, more countries are attempting these surgeries, but two things need to be in place regardless: a genuinely sterile operating theatre, and excellent post-operative facilities, since that is what actually gets the patient the benefit of the surgery. The only absolute contraindication is a poor overall medical condition, for example a cardiac condition that would make operating on the patient too risky.
Answered by Dr. Mannu Bhatia
Is it possible to do a bilateral hip replacement in a patient with a slipped hip joint?
Asked by Moderator
Bilateral hip replacement can always be done, either in the same sitting or with a gap between the two sides, depending on the patient's condition. If the body can tolerate it, both sides can be done together. If the body, or the finances, don't allow that, there can be a gap in between, but rehabilitation and the expected result need to be planned accordingly.
Answered by Dr. Mannu Bhatia
What is the best NSAID to use for osteoarthritis?
Asked by Moderator
I would not advise taking NSAIDs continuously, because they have a bad effect on the kidneys. They can be taken for a short while.
Answered by Dr. Mannu Bhatia
How affordable are these surgeries at your facility?
Asked by Moderator
They are very affordable in India, around half the cost of the same surgery in Nigeria, and much less than the cost in Europe or the US, with better results.
Answered by Dr. Mannu Bhatia
In This Series: Diagnosis and Management of Arthritis in Joints
- 1.Joint Arthritis Diagnosis and Management
- 2.Non-Surgical Arthritis Treatment: Physio, Drugs, Injections
- 3.Joint Replacement for Arthritis: Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Elbow
- 4.Live Discussion with Dr. Mannu Bhatia