Al-Diriyah Hospital ends a patient's 25-year suffering with a delicate surgery
Al-Diriyah Hospital recorded a qualitative medical achievement by ending the suffering of a patient in his forties that lasted for a quarter of a century, through a precise and complex surgical intervention that aimed to replace the knee joint and remove old metal fixators, which enabled the patient to regain his ability to walk and move normally.
Details of the medical achievement
The story began when the hospital received a patient suffering from excruciating pain and extreme difficulty moving due to advanced and severe osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Detailed medical examinations and X-rays revealed that this condition was a complication of surgery the patient had undergone 25 years prior, which involved the insertion of metal plates and screws. This had exacerbated the condition over time, leading to joint deterioration.
The medical team, led by consultant orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hassan Al-Muallim and specialist Dr. Mohammed Al-Mudayfer, developed a meticulous treatment plan. The first and most sensitive stage involved the expert removal of the old metal implants (plates and screws) to preserve the integrity of the bone and surrounding tissues. This was followed by a total knee replacement with a state-of-the-art artificial joint, performed as part of the services offered by the hospital's Center of Excellence for Joint Replacement Surgery.
Challenges of surgery and rapid recovery
Joint replacement surgeries that require the removal of old fixators are complex procedures demanding a high level of skill, given the anatomical changes that occur in the bone over many years. Despite the intricate nature of the operation, the patient demonstrated a rapid and impressive response, regaining knee flexion and walking with great flexibility. He was discharged the day after surgery, reflecting the success of the hospital's "rapid recovery" programs.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
This achievement is not merely the success of an individual procedure, but rather comes within the context of the comprehensive transformation the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing in line with Vision 2030. The healthcare transformation program aims to facilitate access to and improve the quality of healthcare services, and to empower peripheral hospitals and specialized centers within healthcare clusters to perform complex and delicate procedures, thereby reducing the need to transfer patients to central referral hospitals and providing specialized care in record time.
The importance of centers of excellence in health clusters
This success highlights the efficiency of the Third Riyadh Health Cluster in activating specialized centers of excellence, such as the Joint Replacement Surgery Center at Al-Diriyah Hospital. These centers play a pivotal role in providing radical treatment solutions for advanced osteoarthritis, a common disease that affects individuals' quality of life and productivity. The patient is currently undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program to ensure a full return to normal life, underscoring the comprehensive care provided from diagnosis to rehabilitation.
