Rural and small-town India drives demand surge in high-end surgeries like robotic knee replacements
In a striking shift, three out of every five patients offered robotic knee replacement surgery are now opting for it, with the majority of this demand emerging from Tier III, Tier IV towns and rural regions of Uttar Pradesh.
Apollo Hospitals Lucknow, one of the leading multi-specialty institutions in the region, reports that 50 per cent of its robotic knee replacement patients now come from non-metro areas, including Barabanki, Raebareli, Hardoi, Faizabad, and Sultanpur. What’s even more notable is that these patients are willing to pay out-of-pocket for access to advanced procedures — reflecting a rising awareness and value being placed on post-surgical quality of life.
“Earlier, only one in five patients would consider robotic surgery when recommended. Today, that number is three out of five — and growing,” said Dr Sanjai Srivastava, Chairman, Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Apollo Hospitals Lucknow. “There’s a marked shift in the mindset of rural and small-town patients. They are actively prioritising long-term quality of life and are ready to invest in technologies like robotic surgery that promise better outcomes.”
This changing consumer preference has contributed to Apollo Hospitals Lucknow crossing the 300-robotic- -knee-replacement mark, a significant indicator of the growing market for high-end surgical solutions in smaller towns.
Powered by AI-driven precision robotic arms, these surgeries offer reduced pain, lower blood loss, improved implant accuracy, and faster recovery — benefits that patients increasingly value, regardless of geography.
Dr Mayank Somani, MD & CEO, Apollo Hospitals Lucknow, “The demand for robotic surgery is no longer limited to urban elite. We’re witnessing an upsurge in acceptance and demand from rural pockets, which are becoming early adopters of premium healthcare solutions. This is a major insight for healthcare investors and providers looking to scale in Bharat.”
Apollo Hospitals Lucknow is one of the few institutions in India offering dual robotic systems, including the Da Vinci XI surgical robot, with capabilities spanning orthopaedics, uro-surgery, oncology, general surgery, pediatric surgery, and cardiac surgery, with over 100 successful multi-specialty robotic procedures beyond orthopaedics already completed.
