128-kg patient walks again after rare bilateral partial knee replacement in Mumbai

Mumbai-based orthopaedic surgeon Dr Amyn Rajani successfully performed a bilateral partial knee replacement on a 128 kg patient, believed to be the heaviest individual in the country to undergo this procedure in a single sitting.

The patient, Laxman Pardeshi, had been suffering from severe osteoarthritis in both knees, which had gradually restricted his movement and daily functioning. Due to his high BMI, the case carried significant surgical and anaesthetic challenges. Most surgeons avoid performing both knees in the same sitting in very heavy patients because of the increased medical risks and technical complexity involved.The surgery, performed at Saifee Hospital Mumbai, used a minimally invasive partial knee replacement technique.

The case required detailed preoperative planning, specialised high load instruments and a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach involving anaesthesia, cardiology and critical care teams.Speaking about the achievement, Dr Amyn Rajani, said, “Operating on a 128 kg patient for bilateral partial knee replacement is extremely rare. Such cases demand a very high level of precision because of the soft tissue envelope, alignment demands and load distribution.

With the right indications and strict adherence to protocols, even very heavy patients can safely benefit from joint preserving surgery.”The patient walked with assistance on the same day and achieved independent supported ambulation the next morning. His recovery has been smooth with no complications reported.Partial knee replacement, or uni-compartmental knee replacement, preserves natural bone and ligaments and allows quicker recovery, less pain and more natural movement when performed in suitable candidates.The successful outcome in a patient weighing 128 kg demonstrates that carefully selected obese patients can also achieve excellent results from joint preserving knee procedures.What were the important factors to look at before the surgery?1.Exceptionally High BMI: Performing bilateral partial knee replacement in a 128-kg patient is far outside normal technical limits.2.Extremely Rare Globally: Very few cases >120 kg are documented; almost none for bilateral UKR in one sitting.3.Technically Demanding Exposure: Deep soft tissues make joint access, alignment, and balancing far more difficult.4.High-Risk Anaesthesia Profile: Managing anaesthesia and positioning in a 128-kg patient significantly increases complexity.5.Precise Implant Alignment Achieved: Despite difficult anatomy, you achieved perfect component positioning and ligament balance.6.Bilateral Procedure Doubles Complexity: Doing both knees together multiplies surgical, anaesthetic, and postoperative challenges.7.UKR Usually Avoided in Obesity: Most centres consider high BMI a relative contraindication for partial knee replacement.8.Expands Global Surgical Possibilities: Demonstrates that even obese patients can safely undergo UKR instead of TKR.9.Outstanding Clinical Outcome: Minimal blood loss, smooth recovery, early ambulation, rare for this weight category.