Indian Army’s First Sikh Chief and Wife Undergo Knee Surgery Together

Joginder Jaswant Singh, the first Sikh chief of the Indian Army, recently made headlines for undergoing a knee replacement surgery alongside his wife, Anupama Singh. The couple chose to have their procedures performed on the same day, an unusual decision that surprised their surgeon, Dr. Rajeev Sharma, at Moolchand Hospital in Delhi.

At 80 years old, General Singh, often referred to as General JJ Singh, commanded the Indian Army from 2005 to 2007 and later served as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh for five years. Both he and his wife, in their mid-70s, opted for knee replacement surgeries to address their respective joint issues. Dr. Sharma noted that he had never before encountered a couple requesting simultaneous surgeries.

Unique Request Surprises Surgeon

Dr. Sharma expressed his astonishment upon realizing the identities of his patients. Initially unaware of General Singh’s military background, he learned of it only when his assistant informed him. “They came to the OPD like regular patients—humble, unassuming,” Dr. Sharma told reporters from Hindustan Times. Upon recommending knee replacements for both, the couple expressed their desire to undergo the surgeries together.

General Singh later explained their rationale for this decision, stating, “We had to get it done, so we thought why not just do it together?” The couple found comfort in sharing the experience, often exchanging notes about their post-operative discomfort. “It’s aching here… is it paining there?” he recounted. Anupama Singh added, “We did all our exercises together. It’s better that way because it gets boring otherwise.”

Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is performed to replace damaged knee joints. This procedure involves inserting an artificial joint made of metal and plastic to alleviate pain and restore mobility. Typically recommended for severe arthritis or injuries when non-surgical treatments have failed, knee replacement surgeries can be categorized into total knee replacement (TKR) and partial knee replacement (PKR).

For the Singh couple, undergoing the procedures simultaneously not only created a shared experience but also allowed them to support each other during recovery. With their surgeries addressing different knees, they joked that when they began walking post-operation, “the two knees were paired together.” This heartwarming story not only highlights the bond between General Singh and his wife but also serves as a reminder of the importance of companionship in challenging times.