New Delhi : Advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis cases that progress to complete loss of standing and walking ability are rarely seen today, as the surgical risks often outweigh the benefits. In one such exceptionally complex case, a woman with a severe knee deformity, who had been forced to crawl for years due to permanently bent joints, regained the ability to stand and walk following a high-risk robotic-assisted knee replacement performed at Paras Health Gurugram.
The patient, Rajesh Devi, a 62-year-old woman from Haryana, had been living with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 15 years. Prolonged disease progression and delayed treatment caused extensive damage to both knee joints, resulting in severe acute flexion deformity, a condition in which the knees remain permanently bent beyond 90 degrees. For nearly three years, she was unable to stand or walk and had to crawl on the ground using her hands to move. Cases with such advanced deformities are extremely rare in routine clinical practice due to exceptionally high surgical risks. Severely distorted joint anatomy, long-standing muscle contractures, and the proximity of major nerves and blood vessels make surgical intervention technically demanding, and multiple medical centres had declined to operate owing to these challenges.
After a comprehensive evaluation, Dr Vivek Logani, Director- Paras Joint Replacement & Sports Injury Centre, performed the highly complex surgery using robotic-assisted joint replacement technology. This enabled controlled correction of the deformity with high precision and minimal bone loss. Specialized soft-tissue release techniques were employed to gradually restore alignment while safeguarding neurological and vascular structures.
Highlighting the complexity of the procedure, Dr. Vivek Logani, Director, Paras Joint Replacement & Sports Injury Centre, said, “These cases sit at the highest end of complexity in joint replacement surgery, where years of neglect lead to severe deformity, muscle shortening, and high risk to nerves and blood vessels. The margin for error is extremely narrow. Robotic navigation gives surgeons the ability to plan and execute corrections with millimetre-level precision, making it possible to safely restore alignment and function in deformities that were long considered inoperable. Such cases are extremely rare to be operated in the lifetime of a joint replacement surgeon. We have got the opportunity to have successfully performed 47 such surgeries in the last 25 years.”
Post-surgery, the patient showed steady recovery, with complete correction achieved within approximately ten days. She progressed to full weight-bearing and regained independent mobility without the need for prolonged physiotherapy. She started walking freely after six weeks of surgery. This case is not just surgical success, but functional recovery. Despite years of immobility, structured rehabilitation helped the patient regain confidence and independence in daily activities.
The patient attended the Paras Health patient interaction program after 10 years of having surgery done, walked independently and encouraged others to seek timely medical care.
Reflecting on her journey, Rajesh Devi said, “The doctors at Paras Health Gurugram carefully explained every step and never gave up on my case when others had turned me away. Their confidence, guidance, and constant support helped me regain the courage to undergo surgery. Today, walking again feels nothing short of a new life.”
Doctors at Paras Health Gurugram emphasized that Rheumatoid Arthritis is a treatable autoimmune condition when diagnosed early, while delayed intervention, particularly in underserved regions, often leads to preventable disability. This case underscores the importance of awareness, early referral, and access to specialized care. Armed with an experienced joint replacement team led by Dr Vivek Logani, advanced robotic systems, and integrated rehabilitation services, Paras Health is capable of managing complex joint deformities, offering hope to patients who might otherwise be left without treatment options.