Dalai Lama Health Update: 90-Year-Old Spiritual Leader Discharged After Successful Knee Replacement Surgery

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who underwent a left knee replacement surgery at a hospital in New Delhi, has now been discharged. His office informed everyone that he is going to undergo a surgery through a video statement. The spokesperson said, "Today, His Holiness underwent a successful surgery on his left knee. His right knee was operated on in New York in 2024. All the staff at Apollo Hospital have been absolutely wonderful."The 90-year-old spiritual leader left his exile home in Dharamshala on Friday for Delhi to undergo treatment for his left knee. "Following today's procedure, His Holiness returned to his hospital room in stable condition. His recovery is progressing well, and he remains in good spirits. The medical, nursing,

and administrative teams at Apollo Hospital have been providing exceptional care, support and attention. We are deeply grateful for their professionalism, dedication, and kindness," reads a medical bulletin on the spiritual leader’s official X account.Also Read: 'Today Most Potential Liver Donors Themselves Have Fatty Liver Disease': Senior Liver Doctor Dr Arvinder SoinThis is not the first time that Dalai Lama has undergone this procedure. Earlier, in June 2024, the Dalai Lama underwent a successful right knee replacement surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Once fully recovered, he is scheduled to visit Ladakh towards the end of June for an extended stay, his office has already announced.

What Is A Knee Replacement Surgery And Why Does One Need It?

Knee replacement surgery, medically known as knee arthroplasty, is a procedure in which a damaged or worn-out knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers. The surgery is designed to resurface the parts of the knee joint that have been damaged, relieving pain and restoring mobility that may have been lost due to disease or injury.There are two primary types of the procedure. In a total knee replacement, both sides of the knee joint are replaced, making it the more common of the two. In a partial knee replacement, only the damaged portion of the joint is addressed, which results in a smaller incision and typically a faster recovery.Also Read: Jaspal Rana Death: Can a Heart Stent Fail? What Patients Need to KnowThe most common reason people need knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis. For the unversed, it is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage cushioning the knee joint gradually wears away, causing bones to rub against each other, leading to severe pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Other conditions that may necessitate the surgery include rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis following an injury, and structural deformities of the knee.Age is a significant factor. As people grow older, the cartilage in their joints naturally deteriorates, which is why the surgery is most commonly performed on individuals over 60. However, doctors typically recommend it only when conservative treatments - such as physiotherapy, pain medication, weight management, and steroid injections - no longer provide adequate relief.