Dr. Chitranjan Ranawat

Just as there are several body types, height, weight and the amount of activity each person enjoys; there are several types of hip and knee replacements. 

If you are experiencing pain, real continuous pain, in either of these areas sufficient enough to interfere with your daily activities, it is time for you to see an orthopedic surgeon. 

That is just where I found my self in 2001.  I went to a local surgeon just to make sure I did not have bone cancer or some other ailment causing pain in the groin area.  Upon the realization that I would possibly need a hip replacement, I began researching the topic in general and orthopedic surgeons in the “very” specific. 

One name surfaced in every search, Chitranjan Ranawat.  The more I opened up to talk to friends, clients and customers; the more I heard his name.  Some people were fortunate enough to have him as their surgeon; others found him at the top of their lists but chose to be operated on in a more local hospital.  I never heard an unfavorable review. 

The only thing I did hear was that he was very strict with his patients, that you better follow his every suggestion, and that his bedside manner left something to be desired.  The first two comments were very true; but I found his bedside manner calm, informative; and if not fatherly, he was a truly caring uncle type healer. Six years later he still greets me with a warm smile, a squeeze on the shoulder and he still takes the time to inquire about my quality of life, how I am feeling in general and then he thoroughly examines me. 

If you are considering a hip or knee replacement, please review the following information from this “Horse’s Mouth”  Dr. Chitranjan Ranawat. I don't think a day goes by that I don't think of him and the difference he made in my life.

 Lenox Hill Hospital  100 E 77^th Street, NY, NY  10021   212-434-2000

 Department of Orthopedic Surgery Phone: (212) 434-2710

The Hospital's Orthopedic Surgery Department has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the country. Its total joint replacement program utilizes the most advanced technologies for knee and hip repair and replacement. Its spine program offers a wide range of procedures including disc replacement, spinal fusion, cervical spine surgery, lumbar surgery, and endoscopic scoliosis surgery. The Hospital's spine specialists also perform Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure to treat vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis. The department's orthopedic specialists also perform surgery of the hands, and feet as well as reconstructive knee surgery, arthroscopy of the knees, shoulders, elbows and ankles, and repair of fractures. The Department's Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma (NISMAT), founded in 1973, was the first hospital-based center in the United States dedicated to the study of sports medicine. Its expert staff provides treatment and rehabilitation to injured professional and recreational athletes, conducts comprehensive research, performs exercise stress tests, and educates professionals as well as the general public on the latest fitness information.          No time wasted answering stupid questions!

Over 90 percent Arthritis Patients Highly Satisfied with Joint Replacement Surgery

Patient satisfaction with joint replacement surgery, particularly hip replacement surgery, is high, according to Chitranjan S. Ranawat, director of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Center for Total Joint Replacement at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Due to refinements in materials and surgical techniques, these joints are also highly durable.

"In people between the ages of 60 and 80, the success rate of hip replacement surgery is in the 90th percentile," Dr. Ranawat said. "Ongoing research will help us further refine this surgery and increase the durability of the materials used." One of the most common causes of arthritis is degenerative joint disease. When degenerative joint disease affects weight bearing joints like the hip and knee, a person's mobility can be severely restricted. Many of these people, however, can take advantage of the recent advances in joint replacement surgery.

"Limited mobility has a significant impact on a person's quality of life," said Dr. Ranawat at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons' 10th annual Orthopedics Update. "In many cases, joint replacement surgery can improve mobility and enhance a person's well-being. After surgery, many people can return to the activities of daily life and some can return to participating in sports."

People who might benefit from joint replacement surgery include those whose pain limits everyday activities; have pain that continues while resting, either day or night; have stiffness in a joint; get little pain relief from anti-inflammatory drugs; or don't get pain relief from physical therapy.

Total joint replacement refers to the replacement of a worn out joint with an artificial one made of a combination of metal and polyethylene components. The replacement joint is affixed with cement, a textured metal, or a special bone-like substance which allows bone to grow into the artificial joint. More than 160,000 hip replacement surgeries and more than 265,000 knee replacement surgeries were performed in 1998.

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor with extensive training in the diagnosis and nonsurgical as well as surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.

Keeping healthy, feeling good

Excerpts from the interview he gave Metrolife:
You are known as one of the best surgeons in the world. How do you feel?
”I’m not sure if I am the best really. I feel good and that feeling of goodness comes from being healthy and being able to communicate with the press, and able to talk to doctors who attended this meeting and sharing. That is perhaps, one of the best things you can do in life. “

That he operated on Prime Minister Vajpayee two years back is not a big deal for him. Chairman of Ranawat Orthopedic Centre of Lennox Hill Hospital, New York, USA, Dr Ranawat is one of the top five orthopedic surgeons in the world. A winner of numerous awards, Dr Ranawat was in Bangalore recently to conduct the 2nd “Advances and Techniques in Joint Replacement Surgery” seminar.

What was it like operating on the PM? (The Prime Minister of India)
”To take care of any important person, worldwide does create a special situation, both for the hospital and doctors and also for the person around the VIP patient. However, I’d like to point out that the principal of disease such as arthritis and its management does not change, whether it’s a VIP or an ordinary person. “

What are the advancements in treating arthritis?

“I think that a major breakthrough in arthritis treatment will happen in the following areas. We may be able to understand better and modify arthritis so that patients may not need surgery of any kind. The other area is to answer what patients who already have arthritis, can do to relieve their symptoms. And once the patient gets operated, the effects of an operation (like in hip and knee surgery) should last many years. “

What makes a good doctor?
”I think to be a good doctor; one has to go through a very rigorous education. In high school, one has to be in the top ten percentile and keep the same tempo in college. Once in medical school, you have to perform well to be an orthopedic surgeon and once you become a surgeon, you have the obligation to become intellectually skilled and to acquire psycho-motor, surgical skills, ability to communicate and keep the patient’s interest. All this makes a good doctor. “

Reticent Dr Ranawat is a master of his craft Savera R Someshwar in New York

He completed his MBBS degree from Indore University in Madhya Pradesh.

But when he was reportedly overlooked for the assistant professorship in general surgery at the MGM medical college, Dr  Ranawat left for the United States of America.

He went on to become the world's foremost experts in his chosen field of knee joint replacements at the Centre for Total Joint Replacement, Lennox Hill Hospital, New York City, of which he is currently the director.

In fact, the Lennox Hill hospital established the Center under Dr Ranawat's leadership in 1994.

The reticent Dr Ranawat is the author of, among other texts, the Disorders Of The Heel, Rear Foot and Ankle. He is also on the board of various medical organizations like the Eastern Orthopedic Association.

Along with Dr Albert Burstein of the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, Dr Ranawat developed the Ranawat/Burstein Hip System. The Ranwat/Burstein Hip Systems are primary porous coated devices for non-cemented use in skeletally mature patients undergoing primary hip replacement surgery as a result of non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease. They offer a wide variety of components that cater to the needs of orthopedic surgeons

Dr. Ranawat is one of the world's leading orthopedic and knee surgeons. Dr. Ranawat is Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital. He is also Chairman, Ranawat Orthopedic Center, and Ranawat Orthopaedic Research Foundation at Lenox Hill. He is serving as professor of Clinical Orthopedic surgery at many universities and hospitals. Through his pioneering research, Dr Ranawat has made many breakthroughs in total joint replacements. Dr. Ranawat has written numerous books related with orthopedics. He has also contributed several chapters on surgery of the knee, rheumatoid neck, wrist, foot and hips in text books.

As Dr. Ranawat has been a pioneer in his field, he has held numerous leading positions. In the year 2003, Dr. Ranawat was awarded the "Most Distinguished Physician Award" from the American association of physicians of Indian origin. He was awarded the Padma Blushan by the President of India (2001) for outstanding meritorious excellence. Dr. Ranawat also received the Colonel James Todd award by the Mewar foundation and Bharat Gaurav Samman in the year 2001. Dr. Ranawat Successfully operated on the Knee of the former PM of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Background
Dr. Ranawat was born in Sarwania, India. He received his M.B.B.S and M.S. Degrees from M.G.M College, Indore. Dr. Ranawat moved to the United States in the Year 1963. In the United States he completed fellowships in hand surgery and rheumato-orthopedic reconstructive surgery at the Hospital for special surgery in New York. Since then there has been no looking back for this genius of Indian origin.

A Message From the Doctor

“Our team of physicians, nurses and staff are committed to delivering the highest level of professional care possible. Our goal is to provide quality orthopedic care guided by evidence-based science using state-of-the-art surgical techniques and equipment. Fundamental to this is our dedication to orthopedic research and education. Specifically, our Center is firmly committed to the research and development of new methods of diagnosis and treatment of arthritic joints. As a recipient of an artificial joint, you represent an invaluable wealth of clinical information. Every time you are seen in our office, information is generated which may someday be used to improve existing prosthetic joint technology and to further enhance our knowledge of the disease processes involved in arthritis. Any advancement in the science of joint replacement may someday help the millions of people who suffer from arthritis in this country and around the world. It is my hope to stay in touch with you throughout your life. The Center would like to be notified whenever you change your address so that we will be able to contact you to review the condition of your joint replacement. Also, it would facilitate our ability to notify you of new advances which could affect your own prosthetic joint.

Thank you very much for your time. As our patient, you are very special to us. Your clinical course holds untold riches of information which can affect generations to come. Please stay in touch.”