Obesity, sedentary lifestyle makes Punjabis vulnerable to arthritis, Dr Wadhwa

5 lakh Punjabis suffering from arthritis, Dr Manuj Wadhwa
Shedding extra kilos may relieve arthritis pain, Dr Manuj Wadhwa

Jalandhar, March 6,2010

Now think twice while relishing those greasy paranthas, makhan, ghee. These not only add to extra pounds around your waist, but also to the pain you feel while squatting and sitting.

“Obesity coupled with increasing sedentary lifestyle has made Punjabis vulnerable to arthritis. There are more than 5 lakh arthritis patients in Punjab. Situation has grown so alarming that more than 50, 000 of them are in an immediate need for advanced treatment for arthritis,” said Dr Manuj Wadhwa, Additional Director Orthopedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mohali.

Dr Wadhwa was interacting with patients at a ‘Friends of Fortis’ programme at Hotel Radisson where his patients, who had been operated by him, danced to the beats of bhangra, spreading message of a happier life post advanced treatment for the debilitating disease.

An internationally acclaimed surgeon, Dr Wadhwa revealed that people above 50 years of age are more vulnerable to knee arthritis as compared to their younger generation. While the ailment strikes every three out of five people aged 65 and older, these days there are a number of youngsters too exhibiting its symptoms.

With introduction of latest tissue preserving Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery things have started changing for good for arthritis patients, who otherwise had to undergo lot of trauma during conventional surgery. At Fortis Hospital Mohali, the only hospital with both JCI and NABH accreditations, that offers technology at power with international standards, many people have undergone this surgery only to lead a healthy life ahead.

Patients undergoing knee replacement surgery can lead a healthy life by performing their daily ardass, namaz, pooja while sitting crossed legs or squatting, even can perform bhangra/ giddha with full ease or resume their leisure activities like light sports etc.

This latest painless and blood-less knee replacement surgery technique ensures swift recovery. It is combined with benefits of minimally invasive surgery, patient specific implants with higher flexibility, modified pain control concepts and minimal bleeding even to suit elderly population.

Chief Guest for the occasion Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, S. Ajit Singh Pannu, exhorted the efforts of Fortis Hospital in promoting healthy lifestyle and awakening masses.

Col HS Chahal, Director, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, said that Fortis Hospital is all equipped to serve the international population with its latest state-of-art technology.

A team from Fortis Hospital including doctors, physiotherapists and nursing staff examined the post operative patients.

What’s arthritis?
Arthritis, better known as inflammation of a joint, shows pain during activities, limited range of motion, stiffness of knee, swelling and tenderness of joints, feeling that joint may give out and deformity of joint such as knock-knees or bow-legs.
What causes it?
Determining the cause of arthritis can be difficult, because often several factors contribute to an individual developing this common problem.
Some of the risk factors that can cause arthritis include:
• Genetics
Exactly how much heredity or genetics contributes to cause of arthritis is not well understood. However, there are likely genetic variations that can contribute to cause of arthritis.
• Age
Cartilage becomes more brittle with age and has less of a capacity to repair itself. As people grow older they are more likely to develop arthritis.
• Weight
Because joint damage is partly dependent on load joint has to support, excess body weight that can lead to arthritis. This is especially true of the hips and knees that can be worn quickly in heavier patients.
• Previous Injury
Joint damage can cause irregularities in normal smooth joint surface. Previous major injuries can be part of the cause of arthritis.
• Occupational Hazards
Workers in some specific occupations seem to have a higher risk of developing arthritis than other jobs. These are primarily high demand jobs such as assembly line workers and heavy construction.
• Some high-level Sports
It is difficult to determine how much sports participation contributes to development of arthritis. Certainly, sports participation can lead to joint injury and subsequent arthritis. However, benefits of activity likely outweigh any risk of arthritis.
• Illness or infection
People who experience a joint infection (septic joint), multiple episodes of gout, or other medical conditions, can develop arthritis of the joint.
It is more common in patients who are overweight and weight loss tends to reduce symptoms associated with arthritis as hips and knees worn out early in heavier patients. Every overweight elderly should emphasis on shedding those few extra kilos and have freedom from arthritis pain to a considerable extent.