At a press conference held in Kolkata on 8th September, JBCH, a leading orthopaedic and multispeciality hospital, announced the successful completion of Eastern India’s first ankle replacement surgery, performed on 19 July 2026 on 33-year-old Mr. Saswata Kundu from Bolpur, Birbhum. The press conference was attended by Dr. Joydeep Banerjee Chowdhury, Dr. Soura Sekhar Saha and Dr. Dipmalya Chakraborty along with members of the patient’s family, who shared details of his 13-year medical journey, the complex procedure and his recovery.
Mr. Kundu had sustained a fracture in his left ankle in an accident 13 years ago, following which he had undergone an operation. However, over the years, he developed post-traumatic arthritis in the ankle, which progressively damaged the joint and severely restricted his mobility. He had been finding it increasingly difficult to walk properly, significantly affecting his everyday life.
After living with the condition for 13 years, Mr. Kundu came to JBCH seeking specialised treatment. Following a detailed clinical evaluation, the medical team determined that ankle replacement surgery was the appropriate treatment for his advanced ankle condition.
The surgery was successfully performed on 19 July 2026 by Dr. Soura Sekhar Saha, MBBS, MS (Ortho), MRCS (EDIN), Clinical Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Surgery (NUH Singapore). The procedure marked a significant milestone in specialised foot and ankle surgery in Eastern India.
Following the surgery and recovery, Mr. Kundu is now doing well and has shown significant improvement in his mobility, after years of difficulty caused by his damaged ankle.
Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Soura Sekhar Saha said, “Mr. Saswata had been living with the consequences of an ankle injury for almost 13 years. The previous trauma had resulted in post-traumatic arthritis, which progressively affected his ankle function and made walking increasingly difficult. Ankle replacement is a technically demanding procedure that requires careful patient selection and specialised expertise. In his case, our aim was to relieve his symptoms, restore ankle function and help him regain better mobility. We are pleased with his recovery and the progress he has made following the surgery.”
Dr. Joydeep Banerjee Chowdhury, Orthopaedic Surgeon, MBBS, FRCS (EDIN), said, “This surgery was an important milestone not only for JBCH but also for specialised orthopaedic care in Eastern India. Patients who develop severe post-traumatic arthritis following an old injury can face years of pain and restricted mobility. Mr. Saswata’s case demonstrated how advanced surgical intervention and specialised expertise can help restore function and significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. We are happy to see him doing well following the procedure.”
The press conference brought together the treating doctors and Mr. Kundu’s family, marking an important moment in his journey from a traumatic ankle injury 13 years ago to successful ankle replacement and recovery.
The achievement further highlighted JBCH’s commitment to advanced orthopaedic care and specialised foot and ankle treatment, bringing complex surgical procedures and modern treatment options to patients in Eastern India.
