Hubballi KIMS sets state milestone with first robotic knee surgery in public sector

Hubballi: Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in Hubballi has become the first government hospital in the state to perform a robot-assisted total knee replacement, marking a new benchmark for advanced orthopaedic care in Karnataka’s public health sector.

The procedure reflects a broader shift toward bringing high-end surgical technology to government hospitals. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the state has been expanding orthopaedic capacity to reduce dependence on private facilities and ensure affordable care closer to patients’ homes.

Data from 2023–24 showed only 35% of 1,709 joint replacement surgeries were carried out in government hospitals, leading to high out-of-pocket costs and long travel for patients. Since then, the number of government facilities offering total knee and hip replacements has increased from 17 to around 40 across district hospitals, medical colleges and taluk hospitals.

To build expertise, the state introduced a structured mentorship programme where senior orthopaedic surgeons perform surgeries and train local doctors at government hospitals. As a result, 99 surgeries have been conducted under mentorship and new centres are becoming functional.

Robot-assisted knee replacements use 3D mapping and robotic arms to guide bone cuts with millimetre accuracy, allowing precise implant positioning and less soft tissue handling. Surgeons say the technique leads to less postoperative pain, faster recovery, better alignment, and improved joint function.

While several private hospitals in Karnataka have adopted robotic systems like CORI and SkyWalker for knee and hip procedures, KIMS Hubballi’s surgery is the first of its kind in the government sector in the state, according to officials.