Mumbai, Dec 27: Mumbai’s professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and citizens have received a major boost with the inauguration of the city’s first sports rehabilitation centre, the BKT Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre at KEM Hospital.
The state-of-the-art facility, set up by the BMC, is also western India’s first government-run sports rehabilitation centre and the third in the country after Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh.
Infrastructure
The centre is equipped with three operation theatres and a 20-bed air-conditioned ward, including two private rooms for specialised care. Moreover, the centre also includes in-house X-ray and scanogram facilities, along with a dedicated gait analysis laboratory to assess movement patterns and recovery progress.
Bridging The Gap In Sports Injury Care
In India, there exists a deep divide in access to sports therapy. While top athletes travel abroad for advanced surgeries and rehabilitation, private hospitals remain unaffordable for many. Though some cricket organisations have their own rehabilitation units, they too lack full-fledged injury treatment and surgical infrastructure.
Affordable World-Class Treatment Under Public Healthcare
The new facility at KEM aims to bridge this gap by offering affordable, world-class treatment under the public healthcare system. It has been set up as a joint effort with the BKT Foundation and donations from Arvind and Vijaylakshmi Poddar.
It is expected to become functional in the next 10 days. The BMC also plans to connect with various sports organisations and the Sports Authority of India to create awareness about the centre among the sports fraternity.
Wide Range Of Specialised Sports Injury Services
The centre offers a wide range of specialised services, including sports injury surgery for the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow, hand and foot. The multidisciplinary team comprises sports injury surgeons, sports medicine consultants, rehabilitation consultants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, sports psychologists, sports nutritionists, exercise physiologists, sports psychiatrists, sports scientists and sport-specific rehabilitation experts.
Advanced Rehab And Laser Therapy
For advanced rehab facilities, the centre also offers underwater treadmill for aqua therapy, a zero-gravity treadmill, virtual reality-assisted treadmill, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ice therapy units, and a digital wall system for detailed muscle and movement analysis. Treatment options also include laser therapy, shockwave therapy, ultrasound, vacuum therapy, traction, and advanced manipulation tables, ensuring holistic recovery for a wide range of sports injuries.
Centre Open To Athletes And Common Citizens
Orthoscopic surgeon and sports medicine expert Dr Rajendra Phunde said, “If an athlete preparing for events such as the Olympics suffers an injury during training, they can avail affordable rehabilitation here. This centre is not only for professional athletes but also for common citizens and fitness enthusiasts.” He added that treatment under government schemes is also available.
Advanced Technology For Injury Prevention And Recovery
Highlighting the role of technology, Dr Phunde said the centre features a digital wall that captures and analyses muscle movement, accurately identifying the damaged muscle, movements causing injuries and whether a player is prone to future injuries.
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“This pre-injury assessment is extremely useful for an athlete’s long-term career. Many people are aware that cricketer Rishabh Pant returned to international cricket within a year of a serious knee ligament injury due to faster and advanced rehabilitation,” he added.
Speaking on the aqua therapy, Dr Ankit Amit said, "It is particularly useful for early post-surgery recovery. Due to water buoyancy, the reaction force on joints is significantly reduced, allowing athletes to begin rehabilitation much earlier than on a normal treadmill."
Former International Gymnast Dwija Ashar said that sports injury surgeries and rehabilitation are always expensive. "I have undergone three sports of them in private hospitals. The government has taken a very important step, because sports and injuries go hand in hand," he said.
Dinesh Lad, a cricket coach, said that this centre will be a major advantage for sportspersons across all sports, as "so far, only private rehabilitation centres have been available, and these are very costly. In private rehab centres, charges range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per session, depending on the centre and the nature of the injury."
Infrastructure
3 operation theatres; 20-bed AC ward with 2 private rooms; in-house X-ray & scanogram; gait analysis laboratory
Advanced Rehab
Underwater treadmill (aqua therapy); zero-gravity treadmill; virtual reality-assisted treadmill; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; ice therapy units; digital wall for muscle & movement analysis;
Therapies
Laser; shockwave, ultrasound, vacuum, traction, manipulation tables
The aqua therapy is particularly useful for early post-surgery recovery. Due to water buoyancy, the reaction force on joints is significantly reduced, allowing athletes to begin rehabilitation much earlier than on a normal treadmill.
Dr Ankit Amit
Sports injury surgeries and rehabilitation are always expensive. I have undergone three sports of them in private hospitals. The government has taken a very important step, because sports and injuries go hand in hand.
Dwija Ashar, Former international gymnast
So far, only private rehabilitation centres have been available, and these are very costly. In private rehab centres, charges range from Rs1,000 to Rs2,000 per session, depending on the centre and the nature of the injury. This facility will be a major advantage for sportspersons across all sports.
Dinesh Lad, Cricket coach
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