How I created a Guinness World Record- A Joint Replacement Surgeon’s Story

‘When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.’ -Paulo Coelho

Guinness world record is a superlative achievement, that is considered best in the world! How do you achieve something like that in the field of Medicine which is continuously evolving, updating, and rapidly advancing! What is that one standard that you compare yourself with in something constantly changing!

I am a son of a farmer born in a small village of Rajasthan. As a young boy I was quite introvert, but I always carried a big dream in my heart. I never shared my dreams with anyone because I thought they would find it amusing!! But I was pretty sure that I wanted to do something, something different. And the dream was to leave a mark of mine in in this world, before I leave this world!! I studied in a district school and entered Medical School with that dream in my heart. After completing my post-graduation in orthopedics, I continued my quest for the best. I trained myself extensively in the field of Knee, Hip, Shoulder & Elbow Replacement.

The usual route for a clinician to make his or her mark, is to write research articles, present papers at international forums & Journals (I conceptualized the Delhi Journal of Orthopedics and was also an Editor for it), be active in professional bodies (has been an office bearer for both Delhi Orthopedics Association & Indian Orthopedics Association), organize conferences (I organized Golden Jubilee Conference of APOA (which has 19 countries as members)). I did all that and then some more…

I still wanted to do some more and thought of applying for Limca Book of Records. I got a very challenging case, a 63-year-old patient who had been bed ridden for 30 years was operated by me. She needed bilateral (both) Total Knee Replacement. The patient could walk after 48 hours of Surgery! These were the important milestones in my journey but still I was waiting to do something bigger and better and then these. On a relaxed Sunday evening suddenly the idea of applying for Guinness World Record popped up in my head. Initially the emotion was that of disbelief and rejection. How can I do something of Guinness world record worthy!!!!!

That must mean something that is extraordinary, I did my research and found this:

Each record title must fulfil all of the following criteria. The record must be:

· Measurable

· Breakable

· Standardisable

· Verifiable

· Based on one variable

· The best in the world

They assess all new record titles against the values of integrity, respect, inclusiveness, and passion. As such, they have a number of internal policies that all records must adhere to.

With all this information I started comparing all my achievements against these parameters. But the criteria that matches all was still elusive. After a lot of deep thinking I found that one thing that I have been working very diligently and patiently, for the last few decades. That was Success of each surgery that I perform. I am of the belief that a surgical outcome is not just about what you do on the day of surgery, but it is a cumulative outcome of what you do before, during and after the surgery! Also, another critical aspect of a big surgery like Knee & Hip Replacement is that the family plays a very important role in the compliance to treatment and thus the recovery. And that is the USP of my surgical practice. I believe in developing a unique bond with the patient, and sometimes it is not just the patient but the whole family! But just a relationship with the patient can’t be the only success criteria. It is also about the surgical technique. To bring precision in my surgery I kept on upgrading my skills and PINLESS Computer Navigation was one such technique that helped me create a sustainable and successful Joint Replacement surgery. As my institution and my team would vouch for the fanatic discipline about infection control, use of Body exhaust system (the astronaut like suit), short duration of procedure, practically nil blood loss during procedure, the Goldielocks approach of exposure (not too big, not too small but just right) during the procedure has helped me create excellent results in the field of Primary, Complex and Revision Knee, Hip and other Joint Replacements.

With all that introspection, I decided to apply for a Guinness World Record for largest gathering of Joint Replacement Patients. I knew that it can be really demanding specially with the kind of surgical load and extremely busy schedule I had but I told myself if not now than when!! Replacing a joint is a long term bond, and when your patients and their families are extremely happy with the results and care, they show up for you, world records happen!!!

I shared the idea with my team, and it was accepted with a Lukewarm response as it looked practically impossible. One of the assistants told me, ‘Why would the patients come?? They must be busy with their own priorities ‘!! But I was quite sure I am going to do it. So, all the arrangements were made, invites sent. Also, since it was a time that large gatherings were not considered a health hazard (in year 2018, before Corona Pandemic) so I could even think of doing something like this.

On the day of the event, the Adjudicator (official) from Guinness World Records arrived and slowly the patients also started coming in. She had strict checks, parameters, and guidelines to set a world record which we were supposed to follow to set it. My heart was beating fast, and I was very anxious, but I kept a calm face and motivated the team to ensure the patients are comfortable. The atmosphere was of exuberance, the patients were so happy and jubilant to share their experiences, about how they were able to lead a normal, independent and pain free life after Knee or Hip Replacement. How the surgery helped them in again becoming a productive and active member of the family. They were no more dependent, but they were independent or even “dependable”. In my heart I thanked the almighty to be able to contribute to the life of all these patients. And then the counting started, and it went on and on and on…

Finally, the Adjudicator (Official of Guinness World Records) made the announcement that I had created the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Joint Replacement patients!!!!!

I was ecstatic and thanked God, my team, my patients and my family for making it a reality. The atmosphere was filled with Congratulations and celebratory music!!

Now, what made it happen. If someone asks me the secret of my success, I would like to focus on the following:

1. Doing it right — It is also called ‘Ethical practice’. You must do what is right for the patient every time and all the time. Don’t run after money. If you do ethical Practice Money will run after you

2. I am here for you- My experience has taught me that medicine is not just science but also an art. Sometimes the best you can do for the patient is to listen to them. Give a ‘patient hearing ‘to a patient’. This doesn’t only help in building a strong bond but also helps in reaching the right diagnosis. You must listen patiently and actively as most of the patients are senior citizen and one thing missing in their life is that nobody has the time to listen to them.

3. Nothing less than perfect would do — Impeccable surgical Technique and discipline during the procedure is the key to a successful outcome. PINLESS Computer Navigation is another add on, that provides near perfect alignment of the joint. The computer guides us about the various degrees of cuts & balancing and we can control even 0.5 degree of deviation here and there which a naked human eye cannot see. It has been seen that in about 10% of the knees, even an experienced surgeon, can make deviation of more than 3 degree of the desired axis (mechanical axis) using mechanical jigs. Here comes the role of computer navigation . PINLESS Computer Navigation is the latest in the field of joint replacement and is very precise & safe technique to take advantages of computer navigation without any chances of complications.

4. It’s a package deal- In my practice one of the key leanings has been that you don’t just treat the patient, you treat a family. So, understanding their unique needs and requirements is key to the successful outcome.

5. Be a ‘happy workaholic’- You must stay cheerful while interacting with the patients. A smile is infectious and puts the patient at ease. As the saying goes, Smile is the best medicine!

So, in a nutshell that’s how I created a Guinness World Record and feel indebted to my patients, my team and all those people who helped me in making this dream a reality!!

All the best!!

Dr. (Prof.) Anil Arora

Senior Director & Chief Surgeon

Prof. Arora’s Knee & Hip Surgery Clinic Delhi

Principal Director & Head of the Department

Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement

Max Super Specialty Hospital & Institute of Joint Replacement

Patparganj,

New Delhi- 110092

India

Phone: +91–11–42141516
Phone: +91–11–22378910
Mobile: +91–9650100400
Email: aakneehip@gmail.com
Website- https://www.jointreplacementdelhi.in/