My mother, who is 64 years old, got a Knee Replacement surgery done on her left leg by Dr. Balasubramanyam in April. The process to get her prepared for it began right from January. Though she was in considerable pain, she was willing to prolong it for the sake of fulfilling certain commitments. Patients who had already undergone this surgery, their caregivers & well-wishers and other doctors had warned us of the difficulties of the recovery period, after the surgery; that there was going to be enormous pain, that the patient will remain invalid for a period of a month after the surgery, that unless prescribed exercises are not done stringently, the whole expensive surgery would be a waste, that there is a chance that she'll lose the very functioning of her legs, and other such cheerful cautions. These were more or less why my mom kept postponing the surgery indefinitely and endured the existing pain.
The first of the heartening experiences with Dr. Balasubramanyam, during our first consultation with him, was his emphasis on the exaggeration of these warnings. After an explanation of the procedure of the surgery (which I, personally, would have liked to have been more detailed), he tried to put our fears, vis-à-vis the pain, and other post-surgery anxieties aside. He had already operated on an uncle of mine, and his recovery was highly encouraging. He hardly ever complained of pain after the Replacement, and gave up on the use of a walker early on in his recuperation. Encouraged by this, my mother decided to employ Dr. Balasubramanyam's expertise.
My mother got admitted into the Fortis Hospital Nagarbhavi on the evening of April 25. Pre-surgery tests were conducted on her right from the morning on the next day. Dr. Balasubramanyam visited us that night and assured us that all the tests were positive and we were good to go for the surgery the next day.
Mom was taken into the OT at the crack of dawn on 27th April. After about three to four hours, the surgery was done and the doctor exclaimed that it went according to textbook - perfectly. My mom was conscious and conversing as usual, and she remained so even during the surgery. She did not complain of anything untoward. She was placed in the ICU that day, to be discharged into a regular ward the next.
She remained in the hospital for the next four days. She did face some difficulties during those days, which are to be expected for the nature of the surgery. But, she never complained of pain for a prolonged period. Physiotherapy sessions were done on her starting from the very next day of the surgery, which would continue, even at home, for the next 20 - 25 days. Dr. Balasubramanyam visited us almost every day during her stay in the hospital and spent long hours with us making sure everything was fine.
She was discharged on the afternoon of May 2nd. A physiotherapist, appointed by Dr. Balasubramanyam, visited us at home and advised her on the exercises she needs to do for a quick recovery. This went on for about 15-20 days and her recovery was rapid and readily apparent. She did occasionally complain of pain but it was nothing a prescribed painkiller could not subdue.
Today, 49 days after the surgery, my mom is almost back to normal and walks better than she used to, without the help of a walker, a walking stick or any kind of support. She has no pain in her left knee and expects to be able to do more with it in the near future, like walking longer distances in the park and cycling.
Dr. Balasubramanyam has been helpful throughout and open to querys all the time. I thank him for the surgery and the recovery. Also, the infrastructure in his clinic (Susheel Orthopaedic Centre) is good and his staff, which includes a receptionist, pharmacist/assistant Mr. Karthik & visiting physiotherapists (which includes Mr. Bharath who visited us at home) are kind and efficient. As such, Dr. Balasubramanyam's expertise comes with the highest of my recommendations.