Actor Saif Ali Khan's return home after surgery, walking confidently and smiling at well-wishers has sparked a heated debate online.
While some celebrated his resilience, some skeptics, including doctors, questioned the credibility of his quick recovery. Bengaluru-based cardiologist Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy stepped in to clear the air by offering a professional perspective on the actor's remarkable comeback.
“For people who doubt whether Saif Ali Khan actually had spinal surgery (funnily enough, even some doctors!), let me remind you that the recovery timelines may surprise you,” Krishnamurthy wrote in X.
The doctor shared a video of his mother from 2022, walking at the age of 78 after a broken leg in a cast and spinal surgery. “A young, fit person like Saif can recover even faster.”
Experts say the stab wounds severed his spinal cord and nerves, leaving his leg strength unaffected. Expert surgeons performed a specific procedure without postoperative complications. Saif's regular exercise regime played a significant role as physical fitness speeds up recovery from surgeries or injuries.
Dr Krishnamurthy also dismissed the disbelief surrounding Saif's recovery as ignorance. “Nowadays, patients are walking up the stairs three to four days after heart surgery. It is time to educate ourselves before we proudly display our ignorance on social media.” He said.
Modern surgical advances and fitness regimens have revolutionized recovery processes. Comparing Saif's case to his mother's more complex surgery — a spinal fracture repair — Dr. Krishnamurthy pointed out that she left the hospital within 24 hours and resumed walking almost immediately.
“Saif had to have a cerebrospinal fluid leak repaired. Given his age and fitness level, recovery is expected to be quick,” he noted.
“To those questioning Saif's recovery, especially the doctors, all I can say is get better exposure. Talk, read and learn from the experts,” he wrote.