FT 3D Knee Resurfacing in Chandigarh — What It Is, Who Needs It, and What to Expect

Most people searching for knee surgery in Chandigarh end up comparing hospitals, robot brands, and cost estimates. Very few explain what FT 3D knee resurfacing actually is — and how it’s different from the robotic surgery you’ve probably read about elsewhere.

This article covers the technique in plain language. No brochure language. Just what the procedure involves, who it’s designed for, and what you can realistically expect.

What Is FT 3D Knee Resurfacing?

FT 3D stands for Fluoroscopy-Tracked Three-Dimensional knee resurfacing. The “fluoroscopy-tracked” part is what makes it different from standard robotic systems.

Most robotic knee surgery platforms — MAKO, Navio, and others — require a CT scan taken days before your operation. That scan creates a 3D model of your knee, which the robot uses during surgery to guide bone cuts. The problem: your knee’s actual position during surgery is never exactly the same as when you were lying in a scanner a week earlier.

FT 3D takes a different approach. Instead of pre-op imaging, the system creates a real-time fluoroscopic 3D map of your knee while you’re on the operating table — actual anatomy, actual position, actual moment. The bone cuts are then guided by live data rather than a scan taken under different conditions.

Dr TS Gill, Director of Orthopaedics at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, was involved in the clinical development of this technique and is currently the only surgeon in North India performing it through the RoboLens FT3D platform.

FT 3D vs Standard Robotic Knee Surgery — Key Differences

Who Is FT 3D Knee Resurfacing For?

Not every knee condition requires full knee replacement. FT 3D resurfacing is particularly useful for patients whose damage is limited to one or two compartments of the knee — meaning healthy cartilage and bone elsewhere can be preserved.

You may be a candidate if:

• You have moderate to severe knee arthritis in one or more compartments
• You are between 50 and 75 years old (though age alone is not a disqualifier)
• Non-surgical treatments (physiotherapy, injections, medications) have stopped working
• Your pain is significantly affecting daily activity — climbing stairs, walking distances, sleeping
• X-rays or MRI confirm bone-on-bone wear in affected compartments

Younger patients (40s) are increasingly choosing FT 3D resurfacing specifically because it preserves more native bone — making any future revision surgery easier if needed decades later.

FT 3D Knee Resurfacing in Chandigarh — Where It’s Performed

The procedure is performed at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Phase 6 (Sector 56), Mohali — approximately 10–15 minutes from central Chandigarh via Madhya Marg. For Chandigarh patients, this is a more practical option than many assume: the drive from Sector 17 or Sector 22 is comparable to crossing the city, and Max Mohali has the advantage of being a dedicated tertiary care centre rather than a general hospital with an orthopaedic wing.

The RoboLens FT3D system is installed at Max Mohali. It is not available at any other hospital in the region, which is why patients travel from across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and even Delhi specifically for this procedure.

For Chandigarh patients considering robotic knee replacement, Max Mohali is the closest facility offering this specific technology.

What the Procedure Involves — Step by Step

Before Surgery

No CT scan is required. You’ll need standard pre-operative blood work and an X-ray to confirm the extent of joint damage. A consultation with Dr TS Gill typically takes 30–45 minutes including review of your imaging. Most patients are cleared for surgery within a week of consultation.

During Surgery

The operation takes approximately 60–90 minutes under spinal anaesthesia in most cases. The RoboLens FT3D system creates a real-time fluoroscopic 3D map of the joint as the first step. Using this live data, bone preparation and implant positioning are guided with sub-millimetre precision. Only the damaged compartment(s) are resurfaced — healthy tissue remains untouched.

After Surgery

Most patients are walking with support 3–4 hours after the procedure. This is one of the most common things patients find surprising. The absence of general anaesthesia and the minimal soft-tissue disruption compared to traditional surgery means recovery begins almost immediately.

Hospital stay is typically 2–3 days. Physiotherapy starts on day one. Most patients return to light activity within 2–3 weeks and to full normal activity within 6–8 weeks.

Cost of FT 3D Knee Resurfacing in Chandigarh

The procedure costs between ₹2 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh per knee at Max Hospital Mohali, depending on whether partial or total resurfacing is performed and the implant selected. This is inclusive of surgeon fees, operating theatre charges, implant cost, and standard hospital stay.

Chandigarh-registered health insurance — including government employee schemes, CGHS, and private plans — is accepted at Max Mohali. Most major empanelments cover robotic knee surgery under their surgical benefit. The billing team can confirm coverage before you commit.

Why Patients From Chandigarh Choose Dr TS Gill

The honest reason most patients cite is specificity. Dr TS Gill does one thing — joint replacement and resurfacing — and has performed over 5,000 procedures. The RoboLens FT3D system is not available at hospitals that offer it as one of twenty surgical services. Max Mohali’s orthopaedic setup is built around high-volume joint replacement, which means the anaesthesia team, physiotherapy team, and post-op nursing are all experienced with this specific recovery pathway.

The 3,000th RoboLens surgery milestone — covered by national media including The Wire — reflects a volume that most robotic surgery centres in North India haven’t reached with any platform.

Frequently Asked Questions