Howrah Orthopaedics Hospital – Invasive Interventions Par Excellence

Howrah Orthopedic Hospital was established in the year 1950 as a meagre Health Unit to look after the railway employees. In the year 1966, this Health Unit was upgraded to a 50 bedded Hospital and since then it has gradually prospered to attain the present status of Super Speciality Orthopaedics Care Center of Indian Railways, the national pride with 179 beds with a modern Operation Theatre, and functioning to be a Referral Hospital for all Zonal Railways and State Hospitals.

The hospital delves into sophisticated specialised Replacement & Corrective Surgeries (RCS’s) like Total Hip Replacement (THR), Total Knee Replacement (TKR), Total Elbow Replacement (TER) using latest technology & training of surgeons from abroad. Along-with the Hospital also has dedicated Specialist Doctors for departments like General Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology (O&G), Eye, ENT, Pediatrics, Health & Family Welfare.

1. Services & Facilities –

Orthopedic Surgery: Routine Orthopaedics Surgery, Neuro Surgery, Arthroscopic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Ilizarov (a surgery involving an orthopaedic external fixator applied to the limb to reconstruct, reshape or lengthen bones) and JESS (Joshi’s external stabilizing system for displaced intra-articular distal end radius fractures). Amongst which the following invasive procedures are conducted on routine basis: Hemi Arthroplasty Hip, Total Hip Replacement – Cemented & Un-cemented, Total Knee Replacement, ORIF of lower & upper Limb fractures, Arthroscopic surgery and Ligament Reconstruction, Ilizarov fixation, Spine Surgery, Tendon Deformities & Micro vascular surgery of Hand.

Medicine: General Medicine, Neuro Medicine, Paediatrics, Cardiology, Geriatrics, Chest medicine & RNTCP, HIV Screening & Counselling. Facility of one fully equipped Medical ICU.

Anaesthesiology: facilities like Pulse Oxymeter, Respiratory gas monitors, Cardiac Monitors, Anaesthetic Ventilators, latest Anaesthetic Machines. One State-of-Art Post-Surgical ICU.

Pathology: FNAC, Hematology, Microbiology, Serology, Bio Chemistry, Hormone Assays.

BLOOD BANK: operational on 24 X 7 basis; Blood is cultured for all investigations & HIV.

Obstetrics & Gynaecology: All Gynaecological Operations like Hysteroscopy, Colposcopy, Laparoscopy, etc. Obstetrical procedures include Normal Delivery and Caesarian Section.

Ophthalmology: Routine OPD procedures, IOL Implantation, Phaco-Emulsification Surgeries

Otolaryngology: Routine OPD procedures including minor operations

Radiodiagnosis: Ultrasound Imaging & Digital X Ray of all body parts.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation:

1. Department of Occupational Therapy – Assessment of patients with disabilities due to different diseases, Specific job oriented exercise therapy, prevocational evaluation & assessment, remedial exercise for Polio / Neuropathies.

• Department of Physiotherapy – Electro therapy & Actino therapy; Infra-Red; SWD; Microwave Diathermy; Wax Bath; Electrical Stimulation; Laser Therapy; Interferential Therapy; Tractions -Pelvic & Cervical; Exercise Therapy – with different exercisers.

• Artificial Limb Centre – Orthosis, Prosthesis.

• Achievements & Awards –

The globally acclaimed wizard Dr. M. S. Ghosh had joined the hospital in November 1969 as a Surgeon Superintendent functioning as a Specialist Surgeon in Orthopedics and Trauma surgery of the Hospital.

The sheer dedication and hard work & miraculous marvels of Dr. M. S. Ghosh along-with his team, and pioneering Railway Administration, the hospital gradually grew in all spheres.

The trajectory foresaw more floors and blocks of wings added to the existing structure, and the number of occupancies augmented to 179 with the addition of Children ward, Plastic Reconstructive unit, Burn unit, Medical ICU, Surgical ICU, Artificial Limb Centre, Occupational Therapy Unit.

Two (02) modern Operation Theatre blocks with multiple OTs equipped with Laminar Air flow, CC TV, Image Intensifier, latest operating instruments and implants were set up way back in 1980s. The hospital grew in stature & importance every year and was recognised as the referral centre in the field of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery for the Eastern Railway and also for the entire Indian Railways.

The hospital reached its fame and zenith in 1980-90 as recognition for its academic and professional excellence when the hospital was designated by the Railway Board as Railway Orthopedic Institute and Research Centre, Howrah. The Institute is considered as the Mecca of Orthopaedics teaching and training and professional excellence of Eastern India. Batches of renowned Orthopaedics surgeons from India and also from UK, USA, France & Germany visited the Institute periodically for delivering lectures and arrange courses. The hospital is the first in Indian Railway Medical Service to perform Joint Replacement, Osteosynthesis, and Arthroscopy Surgical Interventions.

• Invasive Wonders –

• On the 25^th. Of August, 2024, a team of medical professionals at Howrah Orthopaedics Hospital, led by Dr. Chandan Pathak, Additional Chief Medical Superintendent (ACMS) / Howrah and Orthopaedics Specialist, performed a critical and complex surgery that saved the limb of a Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) Jawan from Jammu & Kashmir.

The patient, who had been involved in a severe road traffic accident, was referred to Howrah Orthopaedics Hospital of Eastern Railway from Asansol. The patient presented with posterior knee dislocation, accompanied by multiple torn ligaments including the ACL, PCL, LCL, and MCL, as well as a patellar tendon avulsion. Additionally, there was an impending risk of compartment syndrome.

Upon arrival, the patient’s condition was dire, with an unstable knee even after a closed reduction procedure under anaesthesia, administered by Dr. Mausumi Mazumder, ACMS and Anaesthetist. An immediate and decisive action was crucial to prevent further damage and save the limb.

Dr. Chandan Pathak, along with his skilled team, performed a meticulous surgical intervention. The avulsed patellar tendon was successfully reattached to the tibia using titanium suture anchors, preventing any potential posterior re-dislocation. To further stabilize the knee, an external fixator was applied, safeguarding the limb from possible intra-operative vessel injury.

The surgery, executed under the expert guidance of Dr. Pathak and his dedicated team, was a success, with the pulse present in the affected limb. The urgent intervention provided by Dr. Pathak and Dr. Mazumder not only saved the limb but also demonstrated the exceptional capability and dedication of the medical team.

• Again, on 11^th. September, 2024 Dr. Man Singh, Director General of Railway Health Services (DGRHS), Railway Board, paid a significant visit to the Howrah Orthopaedics Hospital, and inaugurated a state-of-the-art High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) machine at the hospital. He was accompanied by Dr. Aniruddha Kirtaniya, Principal Chief Medical Director (PCMD), Eastern Railway, and Dr. Debashis Guha, Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS), Howrah, along with other senior doctors and paramedical staff.

The installation of this advanced diagnostic equipment marks a crucial enhancement in the hospital’s ability to provide precise medical analysis, particularly in the areas of metabolic and chronic disease management. The inauguration is part of Eastern Railway’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare facilities for its employees and beneficiaries.

Team Maverick