UMC Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, Achieves Regional Milestone with First Bilateral Robotic Direct Anterior Total Hip Replacement in Navi Mumbai

The complex bilateral procedure was performed by Dr. Avinashdev Upadhyay, Consultant Orthopaedic and Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon at UMC Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, who has undergone advanced fellowship training in Australia in Robotic Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery and Direct Anterior Hip Replacement. 

The procedure represents the convergence of two advanced approaches in modern hip replacement surgery — the Direct Anterior Approach, which allows the surgeon to access the hip through a natural intermuscular and inter-nervous plane, and Robotic-Assisted Technology, which enables detailed pre-operative planning and enhanced intra-operative precision in implant positioning and alignment. 

The patient, a 67-year-old gentleman from Hubballi, Karnataka, travelled hundreds of kilometres to Navi Mumbai seeking specialised treatment after suffering from Stage IV Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of both Hip Joints for nearly three years. 

Avascular necrosis is a progressive condition in which reduced blood supply to the femoral head results in deterioration and eventual collapse of the hip joint. In advanced stages, patients can experience significant pain, stiffness and progressive loss of mobility, with routine activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair and even sitting comfortably becoming increasingly difficult. 

In this case, the bilateral nature and advanced stage of the disease had substantially affected the patient’s mobility and quality of life. Following a detailed clinical assessment and radiological evaluation, Dr. Upadhyay recommended Bilateral Total Hip Replacement using the Direct Anterior Approach in combination with Robotic-Assisted Technology. 

The objective was to address both severely affected hip joints while adopting a minimally invasive surgical approach and an enhanced recovery pathway designed to facilitate early mobilisation. 

The Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) is increasingly being adopted in contemporary hip replacement surgery because it provides access to the hip joint through the front of the hip and works through natural tissue planes, avoiding the need to detach major muscles around the hip. 

Unlike traditional approaches that may involve cutting or detaching muscles and subsequently repairing them, the Direct Anterior Approach is designed to preserve the surrounding musculature and soft tissues as much as possible. This may contribute to reduced tissue trauma, lower post-operative discomfort, early mobilisation and faster functional recovery in appropriately selected patients. 

The addition of Robotic-Assisted Technology provides another layer of precision. Based on detailed pre-operative imaging and planning, the surgical team can assess the patient’s individual anatomy and plan the positioning, alignment and sizing of the implants. During surgery, the robotic platform assists the surgeon with execution of this plan and provides real time information that can support accurate bone preparation and implant positioning. 

Hip Replacement is not simply about replacing a damaged joint. Implant positioning, restoration of limb length, hip biomechanics and overall alignment are important considerations in achieving a stable and functional reconstruction. Robotic assistance can therefore serve as an important technological tool for the surgeon, particularly in complex anatomy and challenging cases. Importantly, the robotic system assists rather than replaces the surgeon. Clinical judgement, surgical expertise and intra-operative decision-making remain central to the procedure.

Walking on the same day of Surgery 

One of the most notable aspects of the procedure was the patient’s early mobilisation. 

Following surgery, the patient was able to stand and walk with assistance on the same day, under the supervision of the treating clinical and rehabilitation team. 

While recovery varies from patient to patient depending on age, overall health, bone quality, muscle strength, disease severity and other clinical factors, early mobilisation is an important component of modern joint replacement pathways. It can support functional recovery and help patients regain confidence and independence sooner. 

For a patient who had experienced significant limitations in mobility for several years because of bilateral advanced AVN, being able to stand and take assisted steps on the day of surgery represented a particularly encouraging early outcome. 

A Milestone for Advanced Orthopaedic Care in Navi Mumbai 

The successful completion of this procedure strengthens the capabilities of UMC Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, in advanced Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement and Minimally Invasive Orthopaedic Surgery.

 With the integration of advanced surgical technology, specialist clinical expertise, dedicated operating infrastructure and post-operative rehabilitation protocols, the hospital aims to provide patients with access to complex orthopaedic procedures without the need to travel to a limited number of major metropolitan centres. 

The significance of this milestone extends beyond a single procedure. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, the availability of advanced robotic platforms and specialised surgical expertise is increasingly changing the way complex orthopaedic procedures are planned and performed.

For patients suffering from advanced osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis and other debilitating hip conditions, these developments can expand the range of treatment options available closer to home.

Building a Technology-Enabled Centre for Advanced Orthopaedic Care 

The development of advanced Robotic Joint Replacement capabilities forms part of UMC Hospitals’ broader strategy of combining specialist clinical talent, advanced technology and integrated hospital infrastructure to deliver high-quality tertiary and quaternary care.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery is increasingly finding applications across orthopaedic procedures, particularly in Joint Replacement, where accuracy of planning, alignment and implant positioning can be important components of surgical outcomes. 

At UMC Hospitals, the emphasis is on ensuring that technology is supported by the right clinical ecosystem — experienced surgeons, trained operating-room teams, anaesthesia and critical-care capabilities, diagnostic infrastructure, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, and structured post-operative care. 

The hospital’s growing orthopaedic capabilities are also expected to support patients from across Maharashtra and other parts of India, including those seeking specialised treatment through India’s expanding medical value travel ecosystem. 

The fact that the patient in this case travelled from Hubballi to Navi Mumbai underscores the increasing willingness of patients to travel within India for specialised, technology-enabled medical care when advanced expertise and infrastructure are available.

UMC Hospitals intends to continue strengthening its capabilities across advanced orthopaedics and other specialised clinical disciplines, with a focus on bringing together technology, talent and clinical excellence to create better access to sophisticated healthcare within India.

Unihealth Hospitals Limited

Founded in Mumbai in 2010, Unihealth Hospitals Limited is an integrated healthcare platform focused on delivering affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services across India and East Africa. The Company operates across multiple healthcare verticals, including hospital operations, healthcare consultancy, pharmaceutical and consumables exports, and medical value travel.

Through the Unihealth–UMC Hospitals network, the Company combines Indian clinical expertise, global healthcare standards, and localized partnerships to create a scalable healthcare ecosystem serving diverse patient populations across emerging markets.

Driven by its mission of “Healthcare for All,” Unihealth continues to expand its healthcare footprint while creating long-term value for patients, communities, healthcare professionals, and shareholders.

The Company was listed on NSE Emerge in September 2023.

For FY26, the Company reported consolidated Total Income of ₹137.01 Cr, EBITDA of ₹58.82 Cr, and Net Profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company of ₹25.83 Cr.

If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at pr.error.rectification@gmail.com. We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.