KMC Hospitals organize walkathon for arthritis patients

Mangaluru, Oct 31: KMC Hospitals part of Manipal Health Enterprises on Saturday organized a walkathon for patients that have had treatment for arthritis – joint replacement or other drug treatments. The walkathon aimed to break the myth that people who have undergone knee surgery cannot lead a normal life and walk like before. The event witnessed a participation of 30 patients who have successfully undergone knee surgeries and others with multiple joint arthritis that have undergone treatment with rheumatological and immune system modifying drugs.

Arthritis is a common problem across all age groups (including children, adults & old people) and almost 15% of Indian population suffers from this condition. The condition can be treated successfully with medications and surgeries but due to lack of awareness people usually ignore the symptoms.

KMC Hospital has successfully performed various simple, complicated and revision knee & hip joint replacement surgeries. With competent & highly specialized Rheumatologists & Joint Specialist surgeons cases have been dealt with great efficiency and finesse. For the first time in Mangalore, 100% cases of primary joint replacement, undertaken in the last 10 months in patients of ages ranging from 50 to 79 by our Specialist Hip & Knee unit, have walked on the same day of surgery.

‘This walkathon by patients who have undergone Hip & Knee replacement surgeries breaks the myth that they cannot lead a normal life post-surgery. We at KMC Hospital have the latest joint replacement techniques, surgeries and therapies to cater to a wide range of issues related to joints. What needs to be understood about the surgery is that early and right diagnosis can prevent arthritis from developing. There are a range of rehabilitation techniques as well as minor surgeries done with Arthroscopy techniques, that if undertaken at the right time, can prevent severe joint damage in younger patients. These surgeries for patients riddled with severe end- stage arthritis have been certified worldwide as among the best of all surgeries in terms of quality of life”, said Dr. Yogeesh D Kamat, Joint Replacement Surgeon & Sports Injury- Arthroscopy Specialist.

‘Patients develop pain and swelling of single or multiple joints involving the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, hips, knees, ankles and the feet. Persistent backache can also be due to arthritis of the back joints. If left untreated, the pain and limitation can become so severe that patients no matter how young they are, become bedridden and if not treated can lead to permanent damage in the joints with deformities and disability’ said Dr. Sajjan Shenoy N, Specialist, Immunology and Rheumatology, KMC Hospital, Mangalore.

There are various forms of arthritis. Among young adults Ankylosing Spondylitis which causes pain the back and neck, Gout is related to high uric acid levels, Rheumatoid Arthritis occur mainly in the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, knees and hips and leads to rapid destruction of the joints and disability. Psoriatic Arthritis associated with skin disease, Reactive Arthritis Joint pains follow an episode of infections, Post-viral Arthritis occurs following a viral infection, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (and other Connective tissue diseases (CTD) is a more serious multi-system disease and tends to affect many organs. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis occurs in children between the age group of 2 – 16 years, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) associated arthritis symptoms include recurrent loose stools with blood. ‘Osteoarthritis which is the most common cause for joint pains among the elderly patients related to wear-and-tear of the joints over years and is mostly seen in the knees and hips.

Osteo Arthritis if ignored can be more damaging than even a stroke. Immobile and elderly people get more prone to fractures as bones become weaker with decreased mobility. Similarly consumption of various prescribed and non-prescribed drugs can have harmful side effects on the patient. Untreated osteoarthritis itself is self- propagating: by avoiding mechanical pressure on an affected joint, one strains the neighbouring joints, overall increasing the risks and making for further complexities in treatment.