The knee and spine treatment journey of Dr. Jubair S. from Iraq — a scholar who filled every room with words, warmth, and hope.
Dr. Jubair S. — a respected professor, literary critic, and author in Arabic literature — came to India at the age of 76 for a complex mobility-related treatment journey.
He had been suffering from severe problems in both knees, along with a spine condition connected to earlier surgery. These problems affected his movement, walking, and daily comfort — but they never took away his spirit. Even before treatment, no one around him would describe him only as a patient: he was lively, optimistic, intellectually engaging, and full of encouragement.
He carried pain in his body, but his words carried warmth, wisdom, humour, and hope.
Dr. Jubair's mobility problems were not caused by only one issue. He had osteoarthritis in both knees, which made walking, climbing stairs, and sitting comfortably difficult.
He also had a spine-related condition — lumbar canal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis. In plain terms, lumbar canal stenosis means narrowing in the lower back that can press on nerves, leading to back pain, leg pain, numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking. Degenerative scoliosis is an age-related curvature that develops alongside wear-and-tear changes.
This meant his care had to be planned carefully as a two-stage pathway: the knee procedure first, then the spine procedure, with recovery coordinated so he could safely move from one to the next.
Dr. Jubair S. was admitted at the Marengo Asia Robotic Centre for Orthopaedics and Joint Care on 16 June 2026, with pain over both knees, difficulty walking and climbing stairs, difficulty sitting cross-legged, and weakness in the left lower limb.
On 17 June 2026 he underwent MAKO robotic arm-assisted bilateral total knee replacement — both knees replaced using robotic-assisted planning and execution, with Stryker implants recorded in the discharge summary.
He was discharged on 21 June 2026 in stable condition, having already started full weight-bearing ambulation with walker support, along with physiotherapy and wound-care guidance. For a man whose movement had been restricted by painful knees, this was the first major step toward restored mobility.
After the knee procedure, Dr. Jubair S. continued toward the second planned stage. He was admitted at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram on 30 June 2026 for spine care, with lower back pain, coccyx-area pain, right thigh pain, numbness, and a history of earlier spine surgery.
On 01 July 2026 he underwent L3-L4 lumbar decompression to relieve pressure in the lumbar spine. He was discharged on 02 July 2026 in stable condition, with advice for wound care, pain management, home physiotherapy, and spine OPD follow-up.
Together, the two procedures formed a complete mobility-focused journey: first the knees, then the spine condition that had also been affecting his movement and comfort.
Throughout the journey, VRH Healthcare supported Dr. Jubair S. and his family with coordination, communication, hospital guidance, and on-ground assistance.
Dr. Fahad Ahmad, Director — Operations, worked closely with the family day to day. Dr. Faheem Ahmad, Director — Global Partnerships & Business Development, also visited during the recovery phase to check on his wellbeing.
For international patients, this kind of support makes a major difference — it is not only about reaching the hospital, but about understanding the process, meeting the right teams, managing appointments, and feeling reassured in a country away from home.
After completing both procedures and receiving post-operative guidance, Dr. Jubair S. prepared to return to Iraq with his nephew and nephew's wife.
They departed with medical documents, recovery instructions, and follow-up plans — but also with something more lasting: friendships, gratitude, gifted books, and a heartfelt wish to return to India again, perhaps next time not for surgery, but to explore the country.
He came to India as a patient seeking treatment. He returned to Iraq as a recovering patient, a grateful guest, a literary friend, and a living example of hope.
His nephew and nephew's wife
Family attendants
Dr. Jubair S. was accompanied by his nephew and his nephew's wife. They were not only attendants — they were loving companions in a demanding treatment journey.
They helped him through hospital visits, recovery days, movement support, and emotional moments, adding a family-like warmth to the entire experience.
Together, they supported their uncle with affection and patience, stood beside him during both procedures and recovery, and shared in the satisfaction of seeing him progress through each stage of treatment.
Dr. Jubair S. Reflects on Care, Trust, and the Human Spirit
“Medicine is a professional skill, but it also requires a human spirit.”
“I found great sincerity and true dedication.”
“He came for treatment, but filled every room with words, warmth, and hope.”
Medical terms are simplified for patient understanding. Individual diagnosis and treatment decisions depend on specialist evaluation.
Robotic arm-assisted total knee replacement of both knees for bilateral osteoarthritis, using Stryker implants. Full weight-bearing with walker support began before discharge.
Discharge summary record
MAKO Robotic Arm-Assisted Bilateral Total Knee Replacement (Stryker implants)Decompression surgery at the L3-L4 level to relieve nerve pressure from lumbar canal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis, followed by physiotherapy and follow-up.
Discharge summary record
L3-L4 Lumbar Decompression for Lumbar Canal Stenosis with Degenerative Scoliosis
Chairman – Orthopedics & Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery
Dr. Hemant Sharma is a UK-trained orthopedic surgeon with 30+ years of experience in robotic hip & knee replacement and revision surgery, currently practicing at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram.
Head - Ortho Spine Surgery
Dr. Hitesh Garg, top spine surgeon in Gurugram with 20+ years, excels in minimally invasive & robotic surgeries at Artemis Hospital.
International patients choose India for knee replacement to access world-class orthopaedic surgeons and premium FDA-approved implants (such as Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, and DePuy Synthes) at a fraction of Western costs. Instead of facing long wait lists, VRH Healthcare facilitates immediate, fast-track appointments for both standard and robotic-assisted procedures. We manage your entire medical tourism journey—from securing your Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) to arranging a 5-day hospital stay and 10 days of guided physiotherapy in a comfortable nearby hotel.
Laminectomy, commonly known as spinal decompression surgery, is a crucial procedure designed to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This pressure often stems from conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or bone spurs, leading to debilitating symptoms like chronic pain, numbness, or weakness in the back, legs, or arms. In India, highly skilled spine surgeons employ advanced surgical techniques to meticulously remove a portion of the vertebral bone (lamina) or other encroaching tissues, thereby creating vital additional space within the spinal canal. VRH Healthcare specialises in guiding international patients to access these leading specialists and state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring a clear, supported pathway towards significant symptom relief and improved functional mobility.
During his recovery, what began as a medical follow-up became something more. Dr. Jubair S. spoke not only about his health but about his world of literature — fiction, criticism, books, and the life of the mind — with the ease of a teacher and the warmth of someone who enjoys sharing knowledge.
He gifted some of his books to the VRH Healthcare team. A simple gesture, but a meaningful one: it showed the relationship had moved beyond service and coordination into a meeting of people, cultures, language, and respect.
In his testimonial he also spoke with affection about India and its people — the humility, social cohesion, and diversity he witnessed. His stay became another meaningful chapter in his connection with the country, shaped by medical care, human warmth, and trust.
Specialist medical coordination across orthopedic and spine care.
Robotic knee replacement for painful bilateral knee osteoarthritis.
Spine surgery support for lumbar canal stenosis and related symptoms.
Family-centred patient care with support for attendants.
Human communication through VRH's on-ground coordination.
Recovery support after two major procedures.
A relationship of trust between patient, family, doctors, and VRH Healthcare.
Privacy and medical note: This patient story is shared with privacy-safe naming and for informational purposes only. Individual treatment outcomes may vary depending on diagnosis, medical condition, and doctor's advice.
Share your medical reports with VRH Healthcare and our team will help you understand suitable treatment options, estimated costs, hospital choices, travel requirements, and the next steps for medical care in India.
Every patient journey is different. Our commitment remains the same — to guide, support, and stand with patients and families at every step of their medical travel experience.
