Knee Joint Operation for my housemate: Published on 11 Mar 2007

My housemate had developed a knee problem for the past few weeks. He had to go to the local orthopadeitian for consultation. After a week, the knee is still paining, and finally he could not walk.

As CARE employee, he is covered under complete medical insurance and medical emergency evacuation services. He called up our Emergency evacuation company called 'International SOS' and explained about the problem.

The International SOS has a 24 hour world wide assistance and emergency evacuation services with offices in US, UK and Singapore. It seems very efficient in its service and the service is very good.

My housemate called them on Saturday morning, and in one hour they have discussed through US, Jakarta and Singapore, decided to operate him in Singapore. Immediately they have booked flights, (luckily in business class) and transported him to Singapore. The next day, they conducted all the tests, operated him and sent him back.

The operation is very simple, they have made two small holes near the knee joint, sent a robot with camera, and it done all the stitching required in the knee. The robot is being operated by a doctor infront of a computer screen. It looked like playing some games with a joy stick.

The camera also took clear pictures in various stages of operation inside, which we saw. The technology looks amazing. After the surgery, he waited for one hour till the anesthesia gone off completely, and WALKED back to the hotel room by himself.

Wow... what a technology!!