Patient gets new lease of life after rare surgery in Hamirpur

Orthopaedics doctors at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College and Hospital (RKGMC) in Hamirpur have performed a rare surgery, giving a young patient a new lease of life.

Rajan Mankotia, a 36-year-old resident of Nadaun, was suffering from rare disease Ankylosing Spondylitis that had fused both his knees and hips. When he visited the Hospital for a disability certificate due to his inability to walk, orthopaedics specialist Dr Shikhar Dogra advised him to get hip and knee replacements. After receiving necessary medications from AIIMS-Bilaspur, Rajan’s first hip replacement was performed at the RKGMC here in November 2024 and second hip surgery followed in April 2025, the left knee in July 2025 and the right knee in January 2026.

Dr Ramesh Bharti, Principal of the RKGMC, said that Dr Dogra and his team had performed four major operations in about a year, which was an extraordinary achievement. “Such surgeries are extremely rare and symbolise the success of government health services and schemes,” he added.

Dr Dogra said that Rajan’s condition was severe; sitting on a regular chair, standing or walking was nearly impossible. After the replacements of both hips and knees within a year, Rajan’s posture is now fully straight. He can sit on a chair easily and walk without support.

Mankotia shared that he worked in the private sector but had to quit due to Ankylosing Spondylitis, confining him to his home. He said that Dr Dogra and his team had given him a new lease on life. All treatment and surgeries were covered under the Himcare card scheme from the state government and the treatment was with no expenses for him.