India’s First Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Patch Augmentation using ArthroFlex® at Chennai Upper Limb Unit
Chennai, India 12th Dec 25:
In a remarkable milestone for Indian
orthopedic surgery, Dr. Ram Chidambaram, one of India’s foremost shoulder
specialists, successfully performed the country’s first arthroscopic rotator
cuff repair using ArthroFlex®–HDA, at Chennai Upper Limb Unit, Chennai. This
pioneering procedure marks a significant leap forward in restoring shoulder
function and improving quality of life for patients suffering from complex,
massive rotator cuff tears.
Speaking on the
occasion, Dr. Ram Chidambaram said: “This surgery opens new possibilities for
patients who were previously considered untreatable with conventional methods.
ArthroFlex–HDA provides an ideal graft for restoring shoulder biomechanics,
giving patients a pain-free, functional shoulder and a renewed quality of
life.”
Rotator Cuff
Injuries Rotator cuff tears are commonly encountered following an injury or
fall. The muscles making up the rotator cuff (crucial for lifting and shoulder
rotation) often wear down with age and repetitive use, increasing their
propensity to tear. Patients present with significant pain, restricted range of
motion and hampered ability to perform activities of daily living. Small tears
can be treated conservatively, but big tears often require surgical
intervention in the form of arthroscopic repair (‘keyhole surgery’).
Classically, this involves reattachment of the torn tendon to the footprint of
the humeral head using suture anchors. The majority of patients respond well to
this procedure, but a few experience poor functional outcomes due to
degenerative tissue and retears.
The rotator cuff
is essentially supported by a ‘Human allograft patch’ of tissue that holds the
repair together, enabling faster post-operative mobilization and reducing risk
of retear. Patients also experience tremendous pain relief and better
functional outcomes. Human allograft patches advanced and superior, providing
increased strength, elasticity and biocompatibility. The graft preserves native
cellular architecture, allowing for long-term integration into host tissue.
Chennai Upper Limb Unit is a dedicated specialist
centre in Alwarpet that exclusively caters to patients with problems affecting
the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. Dr Ram Chidambaram, founding director of
the Chennai Upper Limb Unit, is a senior consultant shoulder & upper limb
surgeon with over 30 years of experience in India and the UK. His expertise is
in sports medicine and treating upper limb ailments and is now regarded as one
of the best shoulder and upper limb surgeons in Asia
ArthroFlex®–HDA
by Avana
ArthroFlex®–HDA has been made available in
India through the work of Avana Medical Devices Pvt Ltd. The company, founded
in 2009 and headquartered in Chennai. Avana
is proud to have supported this landmark case by ensuring timely and compliant
access to the human dermal allograft, said Mr. P Sundararajan, Managing
Director at Avana Medical Devices Pvt Ltd. “Our goal is to bridge the gap
between international innovation and Indian clinical needs, so patients here
can benefit from world-class solutions without delay. We are always proud to introduce
new technologies in India to enable surgeons to treat their patients better.”
