Best Doctors in India for Arthritis Treatment
- Top Rheumatologist | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 30+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sundeep Kumar Upadhyaya is one of the best Rheumatologists in India, working at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.
- He has over 30 years of experience in modern medicine, spondylitis, rheumatology, arthritis, and other connective tissue disorder treatment.
- Dr. Upadhyaya has also been a crucial part of various research.
- He was one of the first rheumatology experts in India to introduce bioagents to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory spondylitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Dr. Upadhaya provides training for PG students in Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
- Top Rheumatologist | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 35+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- With over 40 years of distinguished experience in Rheumatology, Dr. Prof. Rohini Handa is a leading Rheumatologist based at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. A celebrated figure in his field, he has a robust background that combines deep clinical expertise with significant academic and leadership roles.
- Dr. Rohini Handa is renowned for his expertise in managing a range of rheumatologic conditions, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Myositis (muscle inflammation), Sjogren’s Syndrome (a condition leading to dry eyes and mouth), and Multiminicore Disease (a muscle disorder).
- He excels in performing key diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as analyzing synovial fluid (the fluid within joints), conducting joint injections and aspirations (to remove excess fluid from joints), and administering cortisone injections (steroid treatments to alleviate inflammation).
- Orthopedic Surgeon, Gurugram, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
- Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ashok Rajgopal is one of the finest Orthopedic Surgeons in India, who is currently serving as the Group Chairman of Orthopedics at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
- He was awarded the Padma Shri by the President of India in 2014 for his impeccable service to Orthopedics in India.
- He is a highly knowledgeable and skilled orthopedic surgeon with more than 39,000 Total Knee Replacement surgeries to his name. He also holds the credit for more than 3200 joint replacement surgeries, over 60,000 arthroscopic surgeries, and 28,000 arthroplasties.
- He holds a unique stint of performing 28 Total Knee Replacement surgeries in less than 12 hours and has achieved several other milestones in his career.
- With an experience of more than 3 decades, Dr. Ashok has revolutionized Orthopedics and Knee replacement procedures in India.
- Top Rheumatologist | Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
- 20+ Years Experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Prasan Deep Rath is a distinguished Rheumatologist with over 20 years of experience in the field.
- Currently, he serves as the Senior Director and Head of Rheumatology at Max Healthcare, overseeing several prestigious hospitals in New Delhi, including Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, Max Smart, and Max Multi Speciality Centre in Panchsheel Park.
- Dr. Prasan Deep Rath is an expert in biological therapies, ultrasound-guided diagnosis, and joint procedures, including synovial biopsies and complex tendon injections.
- His comprehensive expertise spans the management of a wide range of rheumatological conditions in both pediatric and adult patients, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, Sjogren’s syndrome, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis, etc.
- Orthopedic Surgeon, Gurugram, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. I.P.S. Oberoi is a leading Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon in India with over 25 years of experience.
- He has a 97% success rate in performing more than 7000 joint replacements.
- He was the first and one of the only few surgeons to perform Key Hole Surgery (Arthroscopy) for Shoulder, Knee, Elbow, Hip, and Ankle Injuries.
- He is the youngest arthroscopy surgeon to be elected as the President of the Indian Arthroscopy Society twice.
- Dr. I.P.S. Oberoi is the first Indian to have served as secretary of the Asian Arthroscopy Congress and is the only surgeon to have been chosen secretary of the Indian Arthroscopy Society twice.
- Top Orthopedic Surgeon | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 30+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- (Prof) Raju Vaishya is a well-known Orthopedic Surgeon in India with expertise in arthroscopic surgery (hip and knee) and joint replacement procedures.
- He has been in the field of joint replacement and arthroscopy for more than 30 years and is highly skilled at the management of chronic arthritis and performing joint replacement surgeries for hip, knee, elbow, shoulder, and finger joints.
- Dr. Raju Vaishya is among the first orthopedic surgeons to introduce shoulder arthroscopy in India and is the best surgeon for knee and hip arthroplasty in the country.
- His interest also lies in cartilage regeneration and restoration along with management and treatment of ligament injuries.
- Currently, Dr. Raju Vaishya is one of the lead orthopedic surgeons in Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and is also a Professor in the department. He is part of a highly efficient team of orthopedic doctors and surgeons in the hospital which makes it one of the best orthopedic centers in India.
- He runs a fellowship training program in orthopedic surgery under Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and has trained over 300 national and international orthopedic surgeons.
- Dr. Vaishya is known to have introduced the personalized knee surgery plan that uses a customized patient-centric approach for arthroplasty.
- Dr. Raju Vaishya regularly attends national and international scientific meetings and gets invited to speak and deliver talks at such conferences and seminars. He has chaired various orthopedic and arthroscopic sessions and delivered presentations.
- He has done a large number of research on the different aspects of Arthroscopy and joint replacement procedures. His work has been published in renowned peer-reviewed journals and holds the credit for over 175 publications in national and international journals and medical textbooks.
- Dr. Raju Vaishya’s name has been featured in the Limca Book of Records four times for his contributions towards orthopedics.
- An esteemed member of numerous medical associations and organizations, Dr. Vaishya is a well known name in orthopedic surgery of the world.
- Rheumatologist
- Over 15 years' Experience
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sumeet Agarwal is a well-known name in the field of rheumatology and clinical immunology, presently serving as the Head of the Department at Artemis Hospital in Gurugram.
- With an experience spanning more than 15 years, Dr. Sumeet Agarwal has established himself as a leading expert in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, specializing in conditions such as lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis, arthritis, and many more.
- Throughout his career, Dr. Agarwal has been at the top of innovation, having been the pioneer of several rheumatological approaches, such as intra-articular injections, soft-tissue injections, skin biopsy, muscle & nerve biopsy, minor salivary gland biopsy, etc.
- Top Orthopedic Surgeon | Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, India
- 22+ Years Experience
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala is an Orthopedic Surgeon par excellence specializing in shoulder replacement and sports injuries surgeries.
- Specializing in arthroscopy of the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, and elbow, Dr. Pardiwala is at the forefront of his field.
- He is renowned for complex arthroscopic procedures such as ACL & PCL reconstructions of the knee, shoulder dislocation repairs, and rotator cuff repairs.
- Currently, Dr. Pardiwala serves as the Head of the Centre for Sports Medicine and Director of Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. His influence extends globally as a member of the medical advisory committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and on the medical boards of numerous national sports associations.
- Top Orthopedic Surgeon | Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
- 20+ Years Experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ramneek Mahajan is a well-known name in the field of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement surgery in India.
- He has an extensive experience of 20+ years and is currently serving as the Senior Director and Head of the Joint Reconstruction Unit (Knee & Hip) at Max Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, New Delhi.
- His expertise lies in Primary and Revision Joint replacement surgeries and Arthroscopy. He has performed over 32,000 orthopedic surgeries to date and also holds the credit for more than 15,000 joint replacement surgeries, ranging from primary procedures to complex revisions. His commitment to restoring his patients’ physical well-being is unparalleled.
- Orthopedic Surgeon, Gurugram, India
- 22+ years’ experience
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Subhash Jangid is a distinguished leader in the field of orthopaedics, currently serving as the Senior Director and Unit Head of Orthopaedics at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon.
- With over 22 years of extensive experience in orthopaedics, Dr. Jangid has established himself as a leading authority in joint replacement and robotic-assisted joint reconstruction.
- Dr. Jangid specializes in knee, hip, and shoulder joint surgeries, including advanced joint replacement procedures. His expertise extends to robotic and computer-navigated joint reconstruction, areas in which he has made significant contributions.
Best Hospitals in India for Arthritis Treatment
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- One of India’s best and largest multi-specialty hospitals, Medanta was built with the aim to bring India to the highest standards of medical care. The hospital has been providing the best medical services to its patients, since its inception, with care, commitment, and compassion.
- Equipped with 1250 beds, the hospital was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan in the year 2009 with an aim to provide the best medical care at affordable costs. The hospital is spread across 43 acres and includes 45 operation theatres and 350 beds dedicated solely to ICU. The hospital includes over 800 doctors, and more than 22 specialty departments and has a dedicated floor for individual specialty in order to offer the best services under one roof.
- The hospital is considered one of the premier institutes in India for Cardiac Care and includes staffs and members of high caliber. The hospital has 6 distinct centers of excellence.
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Artemis Hospital, established in 2007 in Gurugram, India, is a leading multi-specialty institution known for its excellence in patient care and advanced medical technology, offering comprehensive services across specialties like Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopedics etc.
- Renowned for its patient-focused care, Artemis Hospital combines state-of-the-art infrastructure with a team of internationally trained doctors and surgeons, ensuring the highest standards of medical treatment.
- Accredited by JCI and NABH, Artemis Hospital meets global healthcare quality and safety standards, reflecting its commitment to providing compassionate, personalized care.
- The hospital is recognized for utilizing cutting-edge diagnostic and ther*peutic techniques, ensuring patients receive accurate diagnoses and effective treatments tailored to their needs.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai is the most sought-after private cancer hospital in India. It is an integrated facility that provides cutting-edge, all inclusive cancer treatment to patients all over the globe.
- The hospital is a part of the renowned Apollo Group which has a large network of over 74 hospitals in India and across the globe. Out of the 74 hospitals, 21 of them are cancer centres. However, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre is the only cancer hospital to have JCI accreditation.
- The Centre, which was established on the principles of excellence and expertise, unites a formidable medical staff led by some of the most illustrious figures in cancer treatment.
- The hospital follows the global ASTRO Model Policy. It is the same global policy which is followed by countries like USA, UK, and Europe.
- Apollo Proton Cancer Centre is among the very few hospitals in India to receive patients from First World countries such as USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, etc.
- Apart from that, it is also the first hospital in Chennai to receive patients from several countries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan), South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, etc.
- In fact, there is a dedicated team at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre that serves only international patients. Thus, on a monthly basis, the Centre receives patients from across 32 countries.
- Moreover, there are certain treatments in Apollo Proton Cancer Centre that are not available in any other centre. APCC addresses all types of possible cancers that are usually not covered by any other centre.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Over the last 33 years, the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has set new standards in cardiac treatment with groundbreaking research. It is now known around the world as a centre of expertise for Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
- The hospital has cutting-edge laboratories that perform a wide range of diagnostic tests in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology.
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute boasts a diverse group of bright and experienced doctors who are backed up by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and devoted support professionals as well as cutting-edge equipment such as the recently installed Dual CT Scan.
- Approximately 200 cardiac doctors and 1600 personnel currently collaborate to manage over 14,500 admissions and 7,200 emergency situations each year. The hospital now has a 310-bed infrastructure, as well as five cath labs and a slew of other world-class amenities.
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) is a premier multi-super-specialty, quaternary care hospital, known for its exceptional international faculty, top-tier clinicians, super-sub-specialists, and specialized nurses, all supported by cutting-edge technology.
- It is the flaship hospital of Fortis Healthcare Limited, part of IHH Healthcare Berhad, a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. As one of the country’s largest healthcare organizations, Fortis operates 28 healthcare facilities with over 4,500 operational beds (including O&M facilities) and more than 400 diagnostic centers (including joint ventures).
- Recognized as one of the top hospitals in India, FMRI serves as a leading referral center and aspires to be the ‘Mecca of Healthcare’ for India and beyond. Its 11-acre campus is a testament to its commitment to providing world-class healthcare.
- Accredited by JCI and NABH, FMRI is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of healthcare quality and safety, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible care. The hospital’s reputation is further enhanced by its state-of-the-art facilities and innovative medical practices.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- The Indian Spinal Injuries Center (ISIC), provides state-of-the-art facilities for the management of all types of spinal ailments.
- Staffed with internationally trained, acclaimed, and dedicated spine surgeons, the hospital provides cutting-edge medical & surgical technology. The hospital provides comprehensive management of spinal injury, back pain, spinal deformities, tumors, osteoporosis, etc.
- The hospital performs motion-preserving spine surgeries including disc replacement and dynamic fixation, and minimally invasive spine surgeries such as endoscopic disc excision.
- The orthopedic service of the hospital covers all orthopedic ailments including trauma, joint diseases & replacements, oncology, pediatric orthopedics & upper limb ailment.
- City: Faridabad
Hospital Highlights:
In the sprawling city of Faridabad, where healthcare needs are diverse and ever-evolving, one institution has consistently stood out as a beacon of excellence in the field of medicine—Marengo Asia Hospital. Established with a vision to provide world-class healthcare services to the community it serves, Marengo Asia Hospital has emerged as a trusted name synonymous with quality, compassion, and innovation in healthcare.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is a 700-bedded multispecialty hospital in the heart of the capital of India. It is a part of Apollo Hospital group, one of India’s most reputed healthcare chains. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has been accredited by Joint Commission International, making it the first internationally accredited hospital in the country in 2005.
- There are 52 specialties in the hospital with one of the best cardiology centers in the country. The hospital is also equipped with State of the art infrastructure facilities with the largest Sleep Lab in Asia and the largest number of ICU bed facilities in India.
- The latest and highly advanced technologies that are installed in the hospital include Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, PET-MR, PET-CT, Cobalt-based HDR, Brain Lab Navigation System, Tilting MRI, Portable CT scanner, 3 Tesla MRI, 128 Slice CT scanner, DSA Lab, Endosonography, Hyperbaric Chamber and Fibro scan.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- One of the well-regarded providers in India committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient care, Max Super Specialty Hospital is a part of Max Healthcare, which is the second-largest healthcare chain in India. Regarded as one of the most well-regarded healthcare providers in the country, Max Super Specialty Hospital is committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence as well as patient care. The hospital is also equipped with the latest technology as well as cutting-edge research. The hospital is known to deliver and ensure the highest level of patient care.
- The hospital has more than 500 beds and offers treatment for over 35 specialties. The hospital also holds the credit of having installed the first Brain Suite in Asia. This is a highly advanced Neurosurgical machine that allows MRI to be taken while surgery is ongoing.
- Other advanced and latest technologies are also installed in the hospital such as the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, 64 Slice CT Angiography, 4D ECHO, LINAC, and 3.5T MRI machine.
- City: Kolkata, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Founded in 2017, the HCG EKO Cancer Centre is a committed, all-inclusive cancer care facility in Kolkata.
- The hospital was collaboratively established by India’s leading cancer care provider HCG (HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.), and EKO Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd., a top diagnostic and imaging chain in Eastern India.
- With 88 beds, the hospital provides a full spectrum of services including diagnosis, prevention, screening, second opinions, treatment, rehabilitation, follow-up, and palliative care.
- Additionally, the hospital contains a day-care chemotherapy ward, Neutropenic ward, medical ICU, pharmacy, blood bank, and an IPD wing.
- At HCG EKO Cancer Centre Kolkata, a large team of cancer experts with experience in medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, hemato oncology, BMT, and nuclear medicine collaborate to offer a variety of treatment options under one roof.
- Furthermore, the hospital is also known for employing the most advanced radiation technology such as, the Radixact, a next-generation TomoTherapy equipment that provides greater radiation delivery precision.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition when there is tenderness and swelling in one or more joints of your body. Arthritis usually affects the joints like wrists, knees, hips or fingers & can also affect other connective tissues and organs, including your skin.
Causes of Arthritis
- Age- The risk of arthritis increases with age.
- Obesity or over weight
- History of Injury- People who have injured a joint are more likely to develop arthritis in that joint.
- Family History- Having a family history of arthritis.
- Infections- Bacteria, viruses or fungi can infect joints and cause inflammation or arthritis.
Signs & Symptoms of Arthritis
The common signs & symptoms of Arthritis are:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Decreased range of motion
Types of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of arthritis. It affects millions of people across the world. When the protective cartilage that acts as a cushion to the ends of the bones wears down with the passage of time, the person suffers from osteoarthritis. It can damage any joint in the body; especially knees, spine, hands and hips are the most affected.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting more organs than just your joints. It may affect various body systems like the heart, skin, blood vessels, lungs and eyes. It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system of your body attacks your own body tissues.
Gout
It is a complex form of arthritis. It can affect anyone and is very common. The patient gets sudden attacks of severe pain, redness, swelling and tenderness in the joints of his/her body. The most affected joint is at the base of the big toe. The patient feels a burning sensation in the big toe on getting an attack of gout. The joint may swell up and becomes very tender.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
It is an inflammatory disease that can cause the fusion of some small bones in your spine called vertebrae. The spine becomes less flexible because of the fusion of these bones and the patient acquires a hunched-forward posture. The patient cannot breathe properly if it affects the ribs.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, it most commonly affects children under the age of 16 years. It causes swelling, persistent joint pain and stiffness. While most of the children show symptoms for their entire lives, some children experience the symptoms only for a short period of time.
Reactive Arthritis
Patients suffering from reactive arthritis have swelling and joint pain triggered by an infection in any part of the body like intestines, urinary tract and their genitals. The most commonly affected areas are the joints of ankles & feet and the knee joints. It may also affect your skin, eyes and urethra with inflammation.
Septic Arthritis
A painful infection in a joint is septic arthritis. It can arise from the germs in any part of the body and traveling through your bloodstream. A penetration injury that delivers germs into your joints can also cause septic arthritis. The infection most commonly affects infants and the older age group people. The most commonly affected site is knees followed by hips, shoulders and other joints. The cartilage and bone within the joint are the worst affected due to the infection.
Psoriatic Arthritis
This form of arthritis affects people suffering from psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition where silvery scales top the red patches of skin. Many people diagnosed with psoriasis later come to know that it is psoriatic arthritis. Sometimes, joint problems start appearing before skin patches.
Thumb Arthritis
It occurs when the cartilage from both the ends of the bones forming the joint at the base of the thumb (also called carpometacarpal joint) wears away. The condition is common with aging. It can cause swelling, decreased strength & range of motion, severe pain and difficulty in performing simpler tasks
Diagnosis of Arthritis
- Physical examination is done to check for tenderness, swelling, redness, warmth and loss of motion in the joints.
- Your orthopedics will ask for medical and family history.
- Joint fluid samples are collected & examined.
- X-rays
- MRI
Arthritis Treatment
Treatment of Arthritis focuses to reduce pain & joint damage and maintain function and quality of life. The treatment includes:
Medication
Medication includes:
- Analgesics helps to reduce pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce both pain and inflammation.
- Counterirritants are some creams and ointments containing menthol or capsaicin. The counterirritants modulates signals from the joint and reduce pain.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs slow or stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
- Biologics are used with DMARDs- These drugs are genetically engineered drugs that target the protein molecules involved in the immune response.
- Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system
Self-management
Self-management includes:
- Staying physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Regular check-ups with the doctor
- Reduce unnecessary stress on the joints.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy helps to increase the range of motion, reduce pain & strengthen the muscles surrounding joints.
Surgery
Surgery includes:
- Joint repair-Joint surfaces can be realigned to reduce pain and improve function.
- Joint replacement- This includes removal of damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial one.
- Joint fusion- This includes removal of the ends of the two bones in the joint and locking the ends together until they heal into one rigid unit. Commonly used for smaller joints, such as those in the wrist, ankle and fingers