Faridabad: At 47 years of age, when a large tumour near his left knee threatened to rob him of his mobility, the patient faced a grim prognosis. Thanks to a complex limb-salvage surgery led by Dr Ashutosh Shrivastava, Director of Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, he now has a second chance at walking again.
The successful insertion of a custom artificial implant not only removed the tumour, but restored hope, freedom and mobility to a man whose everyday life had hung in the balance. The outcome marks another milestone in Fortis Escorts Faridabad’s mission of combining cutting-edge musculoskeletal oncology with compassionate care, turning a life-threatening diagnosis into a story of resilience and recovery.
What began as a routine visit to the orthopaedics OPD for knee pain, post a fall, turned into a life-changing diagnosis. An initial X-ray revealed a fracture near the upper end of his knee joint, but a follow-up MRI uncovered a far more serious problem: a large 15 cm bone tumour weighing around 200 gms, aggressively eroding the upper shinbone just below the knee, a delicate region with minimal soft-tissue coverage and enormous functional importance.
Faced with extensive bone destruction and tumour aggression, amputation might once have been the only option. Instead, led by Dr Ashutosh Shrivastava and his team at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, doctors chose a different path: a complex limb-salvage surgery using a proximal tibial megaprosthesis - a large artificial implant designed to replace the diseased bone and preserve joint function.
That decision, at once bold and life-affirming, gave the man back something priceless: the chance to walk again, to reclaim everyday life and mobility. The surgery didn’t just remove a tumour. It restored hope, dignity, and a future without the shadow of limb loss. The surgery involved removing the entire tumor, which led to proportionate loss of bone and required a highly specialised reconstruction.
To restore the leg’s length, stability and knee movement, a large artificial implant was used to replace the upper part of the shinbone. The surrounding soft tissue was carefully rebuilt using a rotational muscle flap to protect the implant, and the knee’s extension mechanism was reconstructed to ensure proper movement and long-term function. After careful post-operative care, guided physiotherapy and regular follow-up, the patient showed remarkable progress.
Within three months of the surgery, the patient is now walking on his own without any support, comfortably performing all his daily activities and has regained full movement of his knee. He is free from any walking difficulties or complications, reflecting an excellent recovery.
Giving details of the case, Dr Ashutosh Shrivastava, Director, Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “Complex bone tumours of the proximal tibia present immense surgical challenges. Our goal is always to preserve the limb while ensuring a functional and pain-free life for the patient. We are delighted with the patient’s recovery, which reinforces the value of advanced reconstructive techniques like megaprosthesis.”
Dr Abhishek Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said “This case stands as a powerful example of successful oncologic limb salvage, combining meticulous surgical planning, cutting-edge reconstruction, and expert soft-tissue management. The restoration of near-normal function in such a short period underscores the capabilities of Fortis Escorts Faridabad in managing high-complexity orthopaedic oncology cases. This outstanding recovery reflects the precision, expertise and multidisciplinary coordination of the orthopaedic team at Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad.”