Bangalore :

Kavitha Tubaki was in class 8 when she experienced nerve-wracking pain in her knees, hips, wrist, hands and feet. The condition worsened, and in 2003, the Dharwad girl had to drop out of college. Diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis that intensified into severe osteoporosis, Kavitha was confined to bed for 10 long years. In 2010, she weighed barely 19 kg as a 27-year-old. Her joints, wrist, neck, hip, knees and ankles were rendered non-functional.

But Kavitha saw a ray of hope when she consulted Dr Praveen Basavanagoudar. She underwent four surgeries in a span of 12 days in April 2013. Now back on her feet, although with support, Kavitha feels she’s got a new lease of life. Bilateral hip and knee replacements have restored her smile.

“In my 17 years of medical service, I haven’t come across a patient with such fragile bones. I didn’t promise to make Kavitha walk again, I only saidIwouldtry my best.Thesurgery waschallenging for me as well as the cardiologists and anaesthetist,” said Dr Praveen, consultant and joint replacement surgeon at Sagar Hospital, Kumaraswamy Layout. Senior anaesthetist Dr HN Chandrappa and cardiologists Dr KS Kishore and Dr Deviprasad were part of the team.

“Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis which transforms into osteoporosis is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting joints. It can also harm the liver and eyes,” he said. Kavitha weighed less than 30kg when she was wheeled into the OT. A victim of social stigma, she was depressed and suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), characterized by recur- FIT AGAIN: Kavitha Tubaki underwent bilateral hip and knee replacements last April. Now, the Dharwad woman is able to walk with support rent, unwanted and repetitive behaviour.

“I’ve gone through the worst. But now I have forgotten where it pained. I never imagined I would be able to set my foot on the ground again. This is a second life for me,” said a beaming Kavitha who wants to resume studies.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Dharwad / by Sunitha Rao, R – TNN / January 31st, 2014