Bengaluru, Feb 10: In a rare and clinically significant case, doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, have successfully treated a 17-year-old boy suffering from severe knee pain caused by advanced osteonecrosis, making him the youngest patient globally to undergo robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery. The condition, which is rarely seen at such a young age, had caused persistent pain for over a year, severely limiting the patient’s physical function.
Following detailed clinical evaluation and imaging, the orthopaedic team identified advanced osteonecrosis of the knee, a progressive condition that had significantly damaged the joint and limited treatment options. Given the severity of the condition and the patient’s deteriorating quality of life, the team recommended a carefully planned robotic-assisted knee replacement procedure.
The surgery was performed using advanced robotic technology, allowing for high precision and optimal alignment while preserving surrounding tissue. With meticulous planning and coordinated post-operative care, the patient was able to take his first steps towards recovery on the same day as the surgery.
Within few days, the patient showed remarkable improvement, bending his knee comfortably, and returning to daily activities without pain. The outcome highlights how early diagnosis, technological advancement, and expert clinical decision-making can significantly alter outcomes even in complex and uncommon cases.
“Robotic-assisted surgery enabled us to personalise the procedure to the patient’s anatomy, resulting in a stable joint and faster functional recovery. Managing advanced osteonecrosis in such a young patient requires careful assessment and precision. If left untreated, the condition could have progressed further, leading to worsening joint damage, chronic pain, and significant long-term disability at a critical stage of physical development. Timely intervention in this case not only helped preserve joint alignment and function but also enabled the patient to regain independence early, reducing the risk of long-term complications and allowing him to return to normal daily activities much sooner,” said Dr. Rajashekhar K. T., Lead Orthopaedic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru.
Sharing his experience, the patient said, “I was told I might never walk without pain again. After the surgery, I could feel the difference immediately. Today, I can move freely and look forward to living normally again.”
Doctors note that while osteonecrosis is uncommon in adolescents, early specialist intervention and access to advanced surgical solutions can help prevent long-term disability. The patient continues to do well and is steadily resuming an active lifestyle alongside his studies. Without the surgery, it would have been difficult for him to continue his education.
As he moves forward, the young patient’s recovery stands as a reminder of how precision care and timely treatment can restore movement, independence, and hope regardless of age.