Orthopedic Surgery & Joint Care in Pokhara — A&B International Hospital

Orthopedic conditions affect how you move through every part of your life — whether you are a Gurkha veteran walking the hills of Pokhara, a student injured on the football ground, or an elderly patient whose knee pain has made daily tasks unbearable. At A&B International Hospital, Pokhara, orthopedic care is delivered using American orthopedic technology and the clinical protocols practiced at leading international centers. This is not referral-quality care available only in Kathmandu or India — it is available in Pokhara, with 24/7 emergency access and ECHS cashless coverage for eligible patients.

This page outlines everything A&B offers under orthopedic and musculoskeletal care, from emergency fracture management to elective joint replacement surgery and post-surgical physiotherapy.

What Orthopedic Services Does A&B International Hospital Offer in Pokhara?

A&B International Hospital provides comprehensive orthopedic services including total knee and hip replacement, fracture fixation, spine care, sports injury treatment, arthritis management, and hands-on physiotherapy — all under one roof in Pokhara, eliminating the need for Kathmandu or India referrals.

Joint Replacement Surgery

Joint replacement at A&B uses implants and instrumentation sourced to American orthopedic standards. The hospital performs total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR), which are the two most common joint replacement procedures in Nepal. Both surgeries follow a structured protocol: preoperative assessment, anesthesia planning, surgical execution with precision instrumentation, and an organized rehabilitation pathway.

Patients with end-stage osteoarthritis — where cartilage has deteriorated beyond conservative management — are candidates for joint replacement. A&B also performs revision surgeries for patients who have had previous implants elsewhere that have failed or caused complications.

Fracture Treatment and Emergency Orthopedic Care

A&B’s orthopedic unit is available around the clock for trauma and fracture management. Fractures arriving through the emergency department are assessed with on-site X-ray imaging, and a treatment plan is initiated immediately. Options range from closed reduction with casting to surgical fixation using plates, screws, intramedullary nails, and external fixators.

Compound (open) fractures — where bone breaks through the skin — are treated as orthopedic emergencies. These require urgent wound care, fracture stabilization, and infection prevention. A&B’s 24/7 availability is critical for patients in the Gandaki Province, where trauma referral chains are long and time-sensitive.

What Is American Orthopedic Technology and Why Does It Matter?

American orthopedic technology refers to implants, surgical instruments, and procedural protocols developed and validated in the United States — recognized globally for precision engineering, material quality, and long-term implant survival rates. A&B Hospital uses this standard in Pokhara, not just in Kathmandu or abroad.

The difference between American-standard implants and generic alternatives is measurable. American implants use high-grade titanium alloys and cross-linked polyethylene components that are engineered to precise tolerances. The surgical instrumentation used alongside these implants ensures correct alignment during joint replacement — poor alignment is the leading cause of early implant failure. At A&B, patients receive the same implant quality standard that would be expected at a private hospital in Delhi, Bangkok, or Houston.

Who Is Dr. Rabi Mohan Dhakal and What Is His Orthopedic Expertise?

Dr. Rabi Mohan Dhakal leads orthopedic surgery at A&B International Hospital. He specializes in joint replacement surgery, trauma and fracture management, and sports orthopedics. His clinical approach combines evidence-based surgical decision-making with patient-centered outcomes planning.

Dr. Dhakal’s training and experience encompass the full scope of orthopedic practice relevant to the Pokhara patient population — from Gurkha veterans with chronic joint degeneration to trekkers with acute ankle injuries and young athletes with ligament tears. His cases span elective procedures like total knee replacement to emergency trauma surgeries requiring immediate fracture stabilization.

The presence of an experienced orthopedic specialist in Pokhara — rather than requiring patients to travel to Kathmandu — is a material improvement in access to care for the entire Gandaki Province.

Does ECHS Cover Orthopedic Procedures at A&B Hospital Pokhara?

Yes. A&B International Hospital is ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) empanelled. This means eligible ex-servicemen and their dependents can receive orthopedic treatment — including joint replacement surgery, fracture fixation, and physiotherapy — on a cashless basis at A&B without paying out of pocket.

ECHS coverage at A&B applies to:

• Total knee replacement and total hip replacement
• Emergency fracture management and surgical fixation
• Sports injury treatment and surgical repair
• Spine-related procedures within ECHS guidelines
• Physiotherapy and post-surgical rehabilitation

Patients should carry their ECHS card and supporting documents when presenting at A&B. The hospital’s administrative team can assist with pre-authorization where required. For emergency orthopedic admissions, ECHS clearance is coordinated as part of the admission process.

What Spine and Back Pain Services Are Available at A&B Pokhara?

A&B offers evaluation and management of spine conditions including lumbar disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease. The initial pathway is conservative — physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and activity modification — with surgical consultation available when conservative treatment has failed.

Diagnostic workup for spine conditions at A&B begins with clinical assessment and plain X-ray. MRI referrals are coordinated for patients where disc herniation, nerve compression, or spinal canal stenosis is suspected. Surgical options discussed include microdiscectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion — performed when neurological symptoms (leg weakness, bowel/bladder dysfunction) demand intervention.

How Does Physiotherapy Support Orthopedic Recovery at A&B?

Physiotherapy at A&B is integrated directly into the orthopedic treatment pathway. It is not a separate referral — it is part of the planned care that begins before surgery and continues through the full recovery period. This integrated model is aligned with how high-quality orthopedic programs worldwide structure rehabilitation.

Pre-surgical physiotherapy (prehabilitation) strengthens the muscles around a joint before surgery, which measurably improves post-operative outcomes and reduces recovery time. Post-surgical physiotherapy protocols are individualized by procedure type:

• Knee replacement: passive range of motion begins on Day 1, progressive weight-bearing by Day 3, stair climbing by Week 6
• Hip replacement: mobility protocols with hip precautions for 6–12 weeks
• Fracture fixation: gradual loading based on bone healing confirmed by X-ray
• Sports injuries: sport-specific rehabilitation targeting return-to-play criteria

What Common Orthopedic Conditions Are Treated at A&B Pokhara?

The following orthopedic conditions are managed at A&B International Hospital:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, and small joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis with joint destruction requiring surgical intervention
• Gout with joint involvement
• Ligament injuries (ACL, PCL, MCL tears)
• Meniscal tears
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Ankle fractures and sprains
• Vertebral compression fractures
• Diabetic foot complications requiring orthopedic input
• Pediatric fractures (growth plate injuries)
• Bone tumors (initial evaluation and referral for specialized oncology if required)

Book Your Orthopedic Consultation at A&B International Hospital

Whether you need emergency fracture care, a surgical opinion on your knee or hip, or a physiotherapy-led recovery program, A&B International Hospital in Pokhara provides the full orthopedic care pathway without requiring you to travel to Kathmandu or India.

A&B International Hospital

Pokhara-02, Bindhyaabasini

Phone: +977 061-412512

Website: abinthospital.com

ECHS cardholders are eligible for cashless orthopedic treatment. Walk in, call ahead, or book your consultation online. Emergency orthopedic care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.