Charu Bhatia, Senior News Editor, Business Remedies, in conversation with Dr. Ashish Rana, Senior Consultant – Orthopaedics, Robotic Joint Replacement, Sports Injury and Arthroscopy, at Apex Hospitals, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur
From advanced robotic surgeries to the rising burden of bone disorders among young adults, orthopaedics is witnessing a remarkable transformation. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Ashish Rana, Senior Consultant – Orthopaedics, Robotic Joint Replacement, Sports Injury and Arthroscopy at Apex Hospitals, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, shares insights into his professional journey, the latest innovations in the specialty, why lifestyle diseases are damaging bones at an earlier age, and how preventive care can reduce the need for surgery.
Question: Tell us about your journey in orthopaedics and what inspired you to pursue this specialty.
Answer: My journey into medicine began much like that of many aspiring doctors. I chose biology during my senior secondary education with the dream of entering the medical profession. After completing my MBBS from Government Medical College, Ajmer, I pursued postgraduate training in Orthopaedics from Aligarh. Later, I completed my DNB at Jehangir Apollo Hospital, Pune, where I had the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s leading orthopaedic specialists.
Those years proved to be instrumental in shaping my career. I gained extensive exposure to joint replacement surgeries, sports injuries, ligament reconstruction and advanced trauma management. My interest in these areas encouraged me to pursue further specialised training.
Subsequently, I completed a fellowship in Delhi, followed by an international fellowship in Japan focused on shoulder replacement surgery. Over the years, I have also participated in several national and international cadaveric training programmes, including courses at AIIMS Jodhpur, Taiwan and Singapore, where I received advanced training in robotic joint replacement.
Medicine is a constantly evolving field, and continuous learning remains essential regardless of one’s stage in life. Even after marriage, I continued upgrading my knowledge and surgical skills through fellowships and advanced courses. Today, serving patients as a Senior Consultant in Orthopaedics, Robotic Joint Replacement, Sports Injury and Arthroscopy at Apex Hospitals allows me to combine years of training with modern technology to deliver better patient outcomes.
Question: Which recent technological advancement has had the biggest impact on orthopaedic treatment?
Answer: Orthopaedics has witnessed remarkable technological progress over the past decade. Among the most significant advancements is arthroscopic surgery for ligament injuries, which enables minimally invasive treatment. Through small incisions and specialised instruments, surgeons can repair damaged ligaments with reduced tissue trauma, allowing patients, especially athletes, to recover faster and return to their sporting activities much earlier than conventional procedures allowed.
Another revolutionary development is robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery. Robotics has significantly improved surgical precision by helping surgeons accurately position implants according to each patient’s anatomy. Better alignment not only enhances joint function but also contributes to longer implant longevity and improved patient satisfaction.
These technological innovations are transforming orthopaedic care by reducing pain, shortening hospital stays, enabling faster rehabilitation and improving long-term outcomes.
Question: Joint replacement was once considered a surgery mainly for older adults. Why are younger patients increasingly requiring these procedures today?
Answer: One of the biggest reasons is the dramatic shift in lifestyle over the past two decades. Modern living has resulted in reduced physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits and increasing nutritional deficiencies, all of which adversely affect bone and joint health.
Vitamin D deficiency has become extremely common, particularly among urban populations. Since Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and bone strength, its deficiency contributes to weakened bones and early joint degeneration.
Sedentary occupations further compound the problem. Many individuals spend long hours sitting at desks or working on computers, leading to muscle weakness, poor posture and reduced flexibility. When muscles become weaker, they provide less support to joints, accelerating wear and tear.
Obesity is another major contributor. Excess body weight places additional stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, increasing the likelihood of early arthritis. Processed foods, nutritional imbalance, work-related stress and reduced outdoor activity also negatively impact musculoskeletal health.
As a result, orthopaedic problems that were once predominantly seen in senior citizens are now being diagnosed much earlier in life.
Question: Sports injuries are no longer confined to professional athletes. Why is there such a noticeable increase among the general population?
Answer: The growing popularity of recreational sports is one of the biggest reasons. Across cities, there has been a significant increase in sports complexes, fitness centres and community sports facilities. More people are participating in activities such as badminton, football, cricket, pickleball, tennis and marathon running.
While increased participation is encouraging from a health perspective, many individuals begin strenuous physical activities without adequate conditioning, proper training techniques or sufficient warm-up exercises. This substantially raises the risk of injuries.
At the same time, diagnostic facilities have become more accessible. MRI centres are now widely available, making it easier to detect ligament tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff damage and shoulder instability that might previously have remained undiagnosed.
Consequently, orthopaedic surgeons are seeing a growing number of patients with ACL injuries, shoulder dislocations, cartilage damage and overuse injuries among recreational athletes rather than only professionals.
Question: Osteoporosis is often described as a silent disease. What warning signs should people be aware of?
Answer: Osteoporosis develops gradually and often remains unnoticed until a fracture occurs. However, certain warning signs should not be ignored.
Persistent lower back pain after the age of 55 may indicate weakening of the spinal bones. Loss of height, stooped posture or fractures occurring after minor falls are additional warning signals.
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) testing remains the most effective way to diagnose osteoporosis before complications develop. Early diagnosis allows timely treatment and significantly reduces fracture risk.
Women deserve special attention because hormonal changes following menopause accelerate bone loss. Declining estrogen levels reduce bone density, making post-menopausal women particularly vulnerable to osteoporosis and fractures.
Early screening, especially among individuals with risk factors, can help preserve bone health and improve quality of life.
Question: What preventive measures should people adopt in their 30s and 40s to maintain healthy bones?
Answer: Prevention should begin long before symptoms appear. Building strong bones during early adulthood significantly reduces the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
One of the first priorities is correcting Vitamin D deficiency whenever detected. Supplements should only be taken according to medical advice after appropriate evaluation.
Regular exercise is equally important. Weight-bearing activities such as walking, jogging, resistance training and strength exercises stimulate bone formation while improving muscle strength and balance.
Nutrition also plays a major role. A balanced diet rich in natural foods provides essential nutrients required for healthy bones. Foods such as milk, almonds, walnuts, mushrooms, broccoli, fox nuts (makhana), fenugreek and turmeric contain valuable vitamins, minerals and anti-inflammatory compounds that support musculoskeletal health.
Equally important is limiting junk food and processed foods, which often lack adequate nutrition and contribute to obesity and metabolic disorders.
Maintaining a healthy body weight, staying physically active and following a nutritious diet together form the foundation of lifelong bone health.
Question: How do you see the field of orthopaedics evolving over the next decade?
Answer: The future of orthopaedics is extremely promising. Patient awareness has increased substantially, and more individuals now seek medical attention early instead of delaying treatment until conditions become severe.
Technological advancements continue to redefine surgical practice. Robotic-assisted procedures, computer navigation, minimally invasive techniques and enhanced imaging are making surgeries safer and more precise than ever before.
These innovations are reducing surgical trauma, decreasing postoperative pain and enabling patients to recover much faster. Rehabilitation protocols have also become more advanced, allowing earlier mobilisation and quicker return to daily activities.
Question: Do you think robotic surgeries could eventually replace human surgeons?
Answer: No. Robotics is an advanced tool that enhances surgical precision, but it cannot replace the judgement, experience and decision-making abilities of a trained surgeon. Every surgery presents unique challenges that require real-time assessment and clinical expertise. A robotic system performs tasks only under the surgeon’s guidance and supervision.
Question: Has the popularity of gym culture created a new category of orthopaedic injuries?
Answer: Yes, it certainly has. Regular exercise is beneficial, but improper training techniques can significantly increase injury risk.
Social media has popularised the idea that rapid muscle gain and intense workouts are the fastest route to fitness. Unfortunately, many individuals attempt heavy lifting without proper supervision, gradually progressing strength or learning correct exercise techniques.
As a result, orthopaedic specialists increasingly encounter ligament injuries, muscle tears, shoulder problems, lower back pain and knee injuries related to excessive or incorrect gym training.
Question: Which areas of orthopaedic research excite you the most today?
Answer: Orthopaedic research is progressing rapidly across several exciting fields. In joint replacement, researchers continue developing newer implant materials that offer greater durability, improved compatibility with the human body and longer functional lifespan. Robotic surgery is another area witnessing continuous innovation, with newer software and navigation systems improving surgical accuracy even further. Joint preservation techniques are also gaining significant attention. Treatments such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), stem cell therapies and biological injections are being extensively studied for their potential to delay joint degeneration and reduce the need for major surgery.
Partial knee replacement is another evolving area that preserves healthy portions of the joint while restoring natural movement, making it an attractive option for carefully selected patients.
Question: What are your views on government support for orthopaedic care?
Answer: Government healthcare schemes have undoubtedly improved access to treatment, particularly for economically weaker sections of society. Many patients who previously could not afford orthopaedic surgery are now receiving essential medical care. However, maintaining high-quality implants, infrastructure and specialised services requires adequate financial support. Lower reimbursement rates can sometimes make it challenging to provide premium implants and advanced facilities without affecting sustainability.
Question: Finally, what message would you like to give students who aspire to pursue medicine, particularly orthopaedics?
Answer: Medicine should always be chosen with the intention of serving patients. Orthopaedics is a demanding yet immensely rewarding specialty that requires dedication, compassion and lifelong learning.
Medical science evolves continuously, making regular academic updates and skill enhancement essential throughout one’s career. Surgeons must remain committed to learning new technologies, mastering advanced surgical techniques and adopting evidence-based practices. Every treatment decision should prioritise patient welfare and quality outcomes.
