 Early Times Report
KATRA, July 5: In a remarkable feat of modern medicine and compassionate care, two 88-year-old women have regained their mobility and independence after undergoing successful bilateral Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgeries at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra.
The surgeries, performed in February 2025 by Dr. Vikas Padha, a renowned Senior Joint Replacement Surgeon, were carried out on Ms. Asha Jalali from Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, and Ms. Haneefa Begum from the remote hilly region of Marmat, Doda. Both women were suffering from advanced osteoarthritis of both knees with severe deformities, rendering walking difficult and painful.
What makes this story extraordinary is the near-identical nature of both cases: two women of the same age, undergoing the same complex surgery in two stages, during the same period, by the same surgeon, at the same hospital. Today, five months post-surgery, both are walking independently-without pain or assistance-demonstrating that age is no barrier when expertise meets compassion.
"One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is about the age limit for Total Knee Replacement," shared Dr. Vikas Padha. "These two brave women at 88 years of age are proof that with careful selection and medical support, age should never be a disqualification for regaining quality of life."
Dr. Padha acknowledged the vital role of the Anaesthesia, Physiotherapy, and Nursing teams, whose seamless coordination contributed immensely to the successful outcomes.
Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Executive Director, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), congratulated the entire team and highlighted the broader vision that made these outcomes possible:
"This milestone is a testimony to the medical excellence nurtured at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. It is also a reflection of the visionary leadership and continued support of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which has consistently invested in making world-class healthcare accessible to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Our institute stands today as a beacon of hope for thousands who seek advanced, ethical, and compassionate care."
Dr. M. M. Mathavan, Facility Director, added:
"These surgeries underscore our strength as a leading joint replacement center in North India. Such complex procedures, performed successfully on octogenarians, reflect the capabilities of our infrastructure and clinical talent. The support and guidance of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has been pivotal in building and sustaining this excellence."
He appealed to the public to avail of the facility, emphasizing that such procedures are available cashless under Ayushman Bharat Golden Card, ECHS, CGHS, and most private insurance plans.
This double milestone represents not just surgical success, but a triumph of hope, courage, and community health infrastructure-delivered with dignity under the aegis of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and executed by a team committed to restoring quality of life at any age. |
