NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, DEC 13
In a landmark achievement for Indian orthopedic surgery, Dr. Ram Chidambaram, one of the country’s foremost shoulder specialists, has successfully performed India’s first arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with patch augmentation using ArthroFlex®–HDA at the Chennai Upper Limb Unit. The pioneering procedure represents a major advancement in the management of complex and massive rotator cuff tears, significantly enhancing the prospects of restoring shoulder function and improving patients’ quality of life.
Speaking on the milestone, Dr. Ram Chidambaram said: “This surgery opens new possibilities for patients who were previously considered untreatable with conventional methods. ArthroFlex–HDA provides an ideal graft for restoring shoulder biomechanics, giving patients a pain-free, functional shoulder and a renewed quality of life.”
- Landmark surgery performed at Chennai Upper Limb Unit expands treatment options for complex, massive rotator cuff tears
- Advanced human dermal allograft offers stronger repair, faster recovery and reduced retear risk
- Procedure signals a major leap in Indian orthopedic and sports medicine innovation
Addressing a challenging orthopedic condition
Rotator cuff tears are commonly caused by injury, falls, age-related degeneration and repetitive shoulder use. The rotator cuff muscles—vital for lifting the arm and enabling shoulder rotation—gradually weaken over time, making them prone to tears. Patients often suffer from severe pain, restricted range of motion and difficulty performing daily activities.
While small tears may respond to conservative treatment, large and massive tears frequently require surgical intervention through arthroscopic (keyhole) repair. Traditionally, this involves reattaching the torn tendon to the humeral head using suture anchors. Although most patients benefit, some experience suboptimal outcomes due to poor tissue quality and a higher risk of retears.
Patch augmentation: a game-changer
In this breakthrough procedure, the repair is reinforced with a human dermal allograft patch, which supports the healing tendon, enhances structural strength and reduces the likelihood of retear. The patch enables earlier post-operative mobilization, offers substantial pain relief and leads to improved functional outcomes.
Human allograft patches such as ArthroFlex®–HDA are considered advanced solutions due to their superior strength, elasticity and biocompatibility. By preserving native cellular architecture, the graft integrates effectively with host tissue, supporting long-term healing and durability of the repair.
Centre of excellence in upper limb care
Located in Alwarpet, Chennai Upper Limb Unit is a dedicated specialist centre focusing exclusively on conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. Dr. Ram Chidambaram, its founding director, brings over 30 years of experience across India and the UK. Renowned for his expertise in sports medicine and upper limb disorders, he is widely regarded as one of Asia’s leading shoulder and upper limb surgeons.
ArthroFlex®–HDA by Avana
ArthroFlex®–HDA has been introduced in India through Avana Medical Devices Pvt Ltd, a Chennai-headquartered company founded in 2009.
Highlighting the significance of the achievement, P Sundararajan, Managing Director, Avana Medical Devices Pvt Ltd, said: “Our goal is to bridge the gap between international innovation and Indian clinical needs, so patients here can benefit from world-class solutions without delay. We are always proud to introduce new technologies in India to enable surgeons to treat their patients better.”
