The rare procedure, led by Dr Shekar Mudramaiah, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Foot & Ankle Specialist, at Narayana Health City, has given a new lease of life to Jacinta Agnes Mascarenhas, who was suffering from debilitating ankle arthritis.
Published Mar 31, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 31, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Synopsis: A 64-year-old woman in Bengaluru has regained pain-free mobility after undergoing the city’s first mobile bearing Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) surgery at Narayana Health City. The complex procedure replaced the patient’s severely arthritic ankle joint with an artificial implant, preserving natural movement.
In a first, a Bengaluru hospital has successfully performed a new-generation mobile bearing Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) surgery, offering a pain-free future to a 64-year-old woman.
The rare procedure, led by Dr Shekar Mudramaiah, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Foot & Ankle Specialist, at Narayana Health City, has given a new lease of life to Jacinta Agnes Mascarenhas, who was suffering from debilitating ankle arthritis.
Ankle arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage in the ankle joint wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty in movement. It may be caused by osteoarthritis (age-related wear and tear), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation), post-traumatic arthritis (developing after injury), as well as infections, gout or genetic predisposition.
As the cartilage wears away, bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain and severely restricting mobility. In severe cases, where medication, physiotherapy, and other treatments are ineffective, Total Ankle Replacement may be considered to relieve pain and restore movement.
Dr Shekar Mudramaiah told South First that Mascarenhas, once an active individual, had struggled for years with severe arthritis in her left ankle. As the condition worsened, she was forced to limp and give up many of her daily activities.
Several doctors advised ankle fusion — a procedure that relieves pain but permanently stiffens the joint. However, Mascarenhas hoped for a solution that would allow her to walk freely again.
Determined to find a better option, she approached Dr Mudramaiah, who recommended Total Ankle Replacement — a complex but effective procedure in which the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial implant, preserving natural movement.
One of the biggest challenges in performing Total Ankle Replacement in India is that the implants required for the surgery are not readily available in the country.
The team at Narayana Health City sourced the necessary components from the USA and the Netherlands, obtaining approvals from the Drug Control Authority of India before proceeding with the surgery.
Despite these logistical hurdles, the procedure was completed successfully, restoring mobility and independence to the patient.
Mascarenhas underwent the surgery a few months ago. According to Dr Mudramaiah, her recovery has been exceptional. Explaining her recovery process, Dr Mudramaiah said:
Reflecting on the impact of the procedure, Dr Mudramaiah said:
“Ankle arthritis may not be as widely known as knee or hip arthritis, but it can be just as debilitating. Until now, most Indian patients had to settle for ankle fusion, which relieves pain but restricts movement.
“This surgery proves that we can now offer a movement-preserving solution right here in Bengaluru. With greater access to advanced implants, many more patients can benefit from this life-changing procedure.”
While Total Ankle Replacement is a well-established treatment in countries like the USA and UK, it remains rare in India due to limited expertise and the availability of implants.
The successful TAR surgery at Narayana Health City marks a turning point, showing that such advanced treatments are now within reach for Indian patients.
“For years, I lived with pain, thinking I had no choice but to give up my active life,” Mascarenhas said. “Thanks to this surgery, I have my mobility back. I can walk without pain, and I feel like myself again.”
The hospital hopes this success will pave the way for wider adoption of Total Ankle Replacement across India, making it more accessible and affordable for those in need.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
