Octogenarian Dr. Ratan Lal Mittal, a renowned orthopedic surgeon from Patiala, received Padma Shri for his contribution to the field of medicine.
Dr. Mittal, a former professor and head of the Orthopaedic Department at Government Medical College, Patiala, is known for performing rare clubfoot surgeries free of cost. Dr. Mittal has done cutting-edge research on severe, rigid, and neglected clubfoot deformities — highly prevalent in lower and middle-income countries, including India.
Notably, Dr. Mittal, in September, had performed an unprecedented corrective surgery of the world’s first S-shaped foot deformity on a 10-year-old kid. While talking to The Tribune, he said,
This is an award for my contribution to pioneering work in clubfoot surgery technique. With this technique that I invented, any type of clubfoot deformity can be corrected. I am thankful to the Government of India for giving recognition to my research work.
Dr. Mittal said his research work started at the Anatomy Museum of Government Medical College, Patiala, in the early 1970s. — TNS
