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Internationally renowned doctors reveal that timely intervention in joint injuries and ailments can ensure better results, faster recovery and minimal complications in patients.
DUBAI- June 05, 2014: Common misconceptions of knee replacement surgeries have for long led patients to opt for surgery at the last stage of the disease. Experts speaking at a Continued Medical Education (CME) programme titled ‘Essentials to Preferentials in Orthopaedics', held recently in Dubai, suggest otherwise. “The wait till old age to undergo joint replacement leads to many avoidable complications, such as erosion of bone density and severe ligament damage, which could lead to the condition becoming far worse and potentially untreatable,” experts suggest.
Speaking at the CME Conference, Dr. Vijayamohan S, Lead Consultant-Orthopaedics and Head of Division for Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction at Aster Medcity, Kochi, India, said: “Joint replacement surgery done prior to deformities and destructions taking place in the patient's bones can ensure much better results and high-quality of life. The popular belief that knee replacement surgery should be considered only when the pain and trauma is unbearable is grossly incorrect. It is important for patients to be aware that surgery needn't wait till later years of life. The best results of joint replacement are achieved when the person is in the initial stages of osteoporosis or arthritis and begins to experience difficulties in carrying out daily chores.”
“In a majority of the cases now, open knee surgeries are not required. A patient can return to regular activities, including sports, in as less as one day post-surgery using arthroscopic methodology. For sportsmen and athletes, in particular, arthroscopic surgeries can help patients get back to almost 90 per cent of their peak ability to play,” he added.
Healthcare professionals from different health facilities in Dubai attended the CME programme, which was conducted as part of ‘Synerge'- the CME Division of Aster DM Healthcare, the leading healthcare provider in the Middle East and India.
The CME on ‘Essentials to Preferentials in Orthopaedics' featured a panel of internationally recognised orthopaedic specialists from across Aster DM Healthcare verticals -- Dr. Vinod Kumar Nair- Consultant Orthopeadic Surgeon specializing in Shoulder and Elbow Disorder and Arthroscopic Sports Surgery at Aster Medcity (Subject: Tennis Elbow: Diagnosis, Pathology and Histology); Dr. Kirti Mohan Marya- Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon at Aster Medical Centre Dubai (Acromioclavicular Joint Problems); Dr. Pangal Sripathi Rao- Specialist Orthopeadics Surgeon at Medcare Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital (MOSH) Dubai (Sub: Wonders of Arthroscopy); Dr. Mrs. Kirthi Raju, Specialist Rheumatologist at Aster Jubilee Medical Centre – Bur Dubai (Rheumatoid Arthritis); and Dr. Vijayamohan S (Spriometry: Understanding the Basics). The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has accredited the Conference as being worth 3.5 CME hours for attendees.
Speaking during the seminar, Dr. Kirti Mohan Marya, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon at Aster Medical Centre Dubai, mentioned the US statistics of joint replacements which reveals that more than one million patients undergo replacements every year. Similarly statistics from the Indian Journal Orthopeadics shows that between 50,000 to 70,000 patients undergo joint replacement every year in India, which is expected to grow to one million in the coming year.
“In comparison to global statistics, UAE shows very low rate of joint replacement surgeries. This is in spite of the availability of high-quality treatment and expertise here. Varying reasons for this include lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and the various misconceptions related to joint replacements,” he added.
Commenting on the benefits of early intervention in joint replacement, Dr. Pangal Sripathi Rao, Specialist Orthopeadics Surgeon at MOSH, says: “Early diagnosis and treatment is becoming increasingly important for various reasons, the most significant of which is the fact that the damage to surrounding ligaments and bones is negligible at during the early stages. Long term damage to the knee or other joints also leads to subsequent damage of connected areas which makes treatment at a later stage much more complicated, and with less satisfactory results.”
“Age plays a key role in considering surgery,” says Dr. Mrs. Kirthi Raju, Specialist Rheumatologist at Aster Jubilee Medical Centre – Bur Dubai. “Patients of an older age are far more likely to have other ailments that make administering of anesthesia difficult as well patient's recovery slower. Joint replacement ensures that the quality of life is maintained as before and the patient is devoid of pain.”
Another misconception that has plagued minds for years is that joint replacement surgery cannot be repeated once conducted. Dr. Vinod Kumar Nair, Consultant Orthopeadic Surgeon specializing in Shoulder and Elbow Disorder and Arthroscopic Sports Surgery at Aster Medcity, clarifies saying: “The quality of an implant lasts approximately 15 years, at which point a secondary surgery may be considered. Many do opt for a secondary surgery to help maintain the quality of life. With the technological advancements in recent times, joint replacement surgeries have become extremely non-invasive.”
Commenting on the significance of the Aster ‘Synerge' International Conference, Ms. Alisha Moopen, Director Corporate Strategies at Aster DM Healthcare, said: “The activities undertaken by Synerge are very crucial in increasing the level of awareness among doctors, the healthcare professionals at large. The aim is to ensure that the healthcare providers are on the same page and are all updated with the latest advancements in medicine.”
Dr. PMM Sayed, Group Medical Director- Aster Medical Centers, said: “Synerge, for over a decade now, has been undertaking activities that cover extremely relevant topics in medicine. The CME on orthopaedics has been a highly successful one given not only the large participation from medical professionals, but the kind of revelations that were made about joint replacement treatments. It is through such knowledge sharing forums that the medical community can better its service to the people.”
Aster conducts ‘Synerge' CME Conference every month aimed at understanding the latest practices in medical scene. The ‘Synerge' programme also features internationally recognized healthcare leaders every quarter of the year debating on the critical challenges faced by doctors treating different ailments and its related complications.
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