Dr Shreeram Kamat Dhakankar leads the way with AI-assisted surgery and faster patient recovery in Goa
Dr Shreeram Ashok Kamat Dhakankar grew up in Fatorda, completing his schooling in a close-knit neighbourhood defined by community life and football. While higher education was uncommon in his surroundings, the emphasis at home was clear. “My parents always believed that education was the only way forward,” he recalls, reflecting on the foundation that shaped his early ambitions.
He attended a government-aided Marathi-medium school, which he says instilled discipline and academic rigor. Although medicine was not his initial goal − engineering had first captured his interest − he was inspired by academically strong role models in the 1990s who pursued medicine. With a few doctors in the family and strong school performance, Dr Dhakankar eventually decided to pursue medicine during his junior college years at Chowgule College.
“At that stage, you don’t think about specialisation. Medicine simply means becoming a doctor,” he explains.
Orthopaedics entered the picture later, during his MBBS at Goa Medical College. “Surgery is about skill and decision-making, and orthopaedics is extremely precise − everything is measured in millimetres and degrees,” he says. The hands-on nature of the specialty and its appeal during internship led him to choose orthopaedic surgery on merit, more as a natural progression than a long-held plan.
After completing his MBBS in 2003 and his MS in Orthopaedic Surgery in 2007, Dr Dhakankar honed both his surgical skills and patient interaction. His initial post-MS training in Pune, with Dr Sachin Tapasvi, was formative. “That’s where I learnt not just surgery, but how to communicate with patients; understanding their expectations and addressing their concerns,” he recalls. This period also exposed him to joint replacement and sports injury surgeries, laying the groundwork for his future specialization.
Seeking further refinement, he pursued an international fellowship in Heidelberg, Germany. The experience was transformative. “Germany was extremely structured. They were doing procedures in 2011 that we hadn’t even heard of in India at the time,” he says. He trained in niche techniques such as partial joint replacements; procedures virtually unheard of in India then. “Anyone who gets the chance to train in Europe is truly fortunate,” he reflects, describing the fellowship as both technically and professionally enriching.
During his time at the renowned ATOS Clinic in Heidelberg, Dr Dhakankar trained under globally respected surgeons, including Prof Hans Paessler, known for operating on tennis legend Steffi Graf, along with Prof Rainer Siebold and Prof Hajo Thermann, the clinic’s medical director. What impressed him most was their highly structured and methodical approach.
“Everything began with planning,” he says. “My professors always emphasised that good surgery starts with good pre-surgical planning − not just for the operation, but for the entire course of treatment.”
He recalls learning to break procedures into precise, step-by-step execution, whether performing a knee replacement or managing a complex sports injury. Equally striking was the emphasis on work–life balance, something far more evolved than what he had experienced in India at the time. One lesson, in particular, continues to guide him: “My professor would always say: when you do a surgery, try to make it perfect; nothing less.”
Dr Dhakankar has extensive experience in sports medicine, including ACL reconstructions, meniscus repairs, and cartilage restoration. He believes joint preservation is critical, particularly for young and active patients.
“Young patients with early arthritis present a unique challenge,” he explains. “Today, many more young people in India are involved in competitive and extreme sports, and injuries are far more common.” Nearly 20 to 30 percent of his practice involves treating athletes, from local clubs to competitive cricket and football teams.
His approach prioritizes restoring what can be preserved. “If a ligament can be reconstructed, a meniscus repaired, or cartilage preserved, that should always be the first goal,” he says. Preserving the joint’s natural biology is key, especially in younger patients, where aggressive procedures like total joint replacement can limit future activity.
“You cannot treat a 45-year-old the same way you would treat a 65 or 70-year-old,” he notes. Joint-preserving procedures such as osteotomies, partial replacements, and resurfacing surgeries are employed to correct deformities and restore normal joint anatomy while allowing patients to remain active.
Dr Dhakankar emphasizes that training across sports surgery, arthroscopy, and joint replacement gives him a distinct advantage. “Rather than telling a young patient to stop playing sports, you can offer solutions that preserve function and quality of life,” he says.
Having performed over 1000 joint replacement surgeries and more than 2000 knee procedures, Dr Dhakankar has witnessed first-hand how the field has evolved. “In the early days, implants were relatively primitive, and specialised training centres were limited,” he explains. Conventional techniques delivered good outcomes, but advances in implant design, surgical training, and AI-assisted technology have revolutionized precision and patient outcomes.
Robotic-assisted joint replacement represents a major shift. Many surgeons trained in conventional methods, including Dr Dhakankar; have since adopted AI-driven tools. “I truly believe this is the future,” he says. “It has the potential to significantly improve precision, outcomes, and patient satisfaction.”
Under his leadership, Victor Hospital, recently launched the ROSA™ robotic knee replacement system, developed by Zimmer Biomet, a significant advancement in South Goa. Victor Hospital, a well-equipped, multi-specialty and tertiary care hospital, provides the ideal setting for such advanced technology. “Many patients who previously traveled outside Goa for robotic knee replacement can now access the same technology here,” he says.
The ROSA™ system enhances surgical precision through meticulous planning and execution. Early patient feedback has been encouraging. “Several patients who had conventional surgery on one side and robotic surgery on the other tell me the robotic knee feels better,” Dr Dhakankar notes. “They are able to walk unsupported and regain confidence much faster.” Since its launch on July 1, nearly 100 procedures are expected to be completed in the coming months. While long-term conclusions are pending, initial results are promising. 
On Doctor’s Day, Dr Dhakankar performed the first robotic knee replacement at Victor Hospital, a milestone of both personal and professional significance. “Personally, the date is special, it’s my father’s birth anniversary,” he shares. Professionally, it marks a turning point for robotic surgery in Goa, expanding access and reducing costs for patients. Since the launch, patient numbers have increased, including international clients. He further adds that AI and Robotics will promote medical tourism in Goa.
Robotic-assisted surgery has transformed post-operative recovery. “Because tissue dissection is minimal, pain and blood loss are reduced,” he explains. “Patients can bend their knees and start walking much faster, sometimes within five hours of surgery.” Most patients are discharged within 48–72 hours, and satisfaction levels are high. “About 90% of patients report that the robotic knee feels better, especially those who had conventional surgery on the other side,” he says.
Continued learning and knowledge sharing remain central to his practice. “To teach effectively, you must constantly update yourself and stay informed about the latest techniques and technologies,” he notes. Victor has become a hub for surgeons seeking hands-on experience with advanced robotics. “Fellows come not just to visit Goa, but to observe and learn surgical techniques they can replicate in their own practices,” he adds.
Dr Dhakankar sees the Dhakankar Robotic Center as only the beginning of a broader transformation in orthopedic surgery in Goa and India. “AI and robotic tools are constantly evolving,” he says. “The technology that is cutting-edge today may need upgrades in five years, and this robot allows online updates to incorporate new software.” He envisions wider adoption, from large hospitals like Victor Hospital to smaller facilities.
“The future of AI-assisted orthopedic surgery has tremendous scope, probably beyond our imagination,” he adds. Robotic tools are expanding into other specialties such as spine and brain surgery, making them an expected standard for patients in the near future.
For Dr Dhakankar, the journey from Fatorda to pioneering robotic orthopedic surgery in Goa reflects not only personal ambition but also a commitment to advancing patient care, training the next generation of surgeons, and transforming surgical outcomes in India.
