On World Arthritis Day 2024, India’s prime orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ashok Rajgopal talks concerning the enhance in arthritis instances and associated knee alternative surgical procedures.
Arthritis is an umbrella time period for a number of well being situations that trigger ache, stiffness and swelling in joints, that are the assembly level of two bones in a physique. As many as 100 forms of arthritis exist, and the commonest forms of arthritis worldwide embody osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Instances of each these types of the situation have witnessed a steep enhance globally. In keeping with the World Well being Group, from 1990 to 2019, there was a marked enhance of 113 % instances of osteoarthritis worldwide. And in 2019, 18 million folks worldwide have been dwelling with rheumatoid arthritis. Girls are extra prone to the situation on account of a number of elements. However being conscious of threat elements in addition to early indicators and signs of arthritis, can assist folks search well timed intervention to enhance their high quality of life, asserts senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ashok Rajgopal, who has carried out over 39,000 complete knee alternative surgical procedures and over 60,000 arthroscopic surgical procedures for sports activities accidents throughout his profession.
On the event of World Arthritis Day 2024, Well being Pictures interviewed Dr Ashok Rajgopal, at present Group Chairman, Institute of Orthopaedics at Medanta, to debate the prevalence of arthritis in ladies, the prevention and administration of this well being situation, and why complete knee alternative surgical procedures are on an upswing.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. Arthritis is commonly thought-about an inevitable a part of growing old, particularly for girls. How true is that this, and the way a lot might be prevented by means of proactive measures?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Arthritis is marked by joint ache, irritation, stiffness, and lowered mobility. Analysis reveals that girls are twice as seemingly as males to develop arthritis, and three.5 occasions extra more likely to endure from knee arthritis, which is the commonest cause for knee alternative surgical procedure.
Taking easy steps to stop the development of arthritis can assist hold it from impacting our every day lives. The situation is linked to a number of threat elements, each modifiable and non-modifiable. Whereas we can’t management the non-modifiable elements, managing the modifiable ones can assist cut back the chance of arthritis. Sustaining a balanced weight loss plan, managing your weight, and staying bodily lively are key methods for avoiding knee points.
Q. The ladies-to-men ratio of arthritis instances is kind of skewed globally. What are the first threat elements that make ladies extra prone?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Girls have extra probabilities of getting arthritis than males, as a result of anatomical variations. Girls have broader hips (to assist with childbirth), which ends up in an irregular limb alignment when in comparison with males. This causes elevated stresses throughout the knee joint which can result in arthritis. Girls’s joints are additionally extra versatile, making them extra liable to accidents and subsequent arthritis. Genetics additionally affect the event of arthritis. In keeping with research, sure genes can increase the opportunity of having arthritis. Girls with a household historical past of arthritis are additionally extra liable to get affected.
Q. What’s the function of hormonal modifications, particularly throughout post-menopause, in accelerating the onset of arthritis in ladies?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: There’s a potential hyperlink between oestrogen and cartilage, which acts as a cushion between the joints and the bones. Oestrogen protects the cartilage from irritation, however as oestrogen ranges drop after menopause, this safety disappears, predisposing them to arthritis of the knee.
Q. Knee alternative surgical procedures are rising globally. What’s contributing to this enhance?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: There are a number of causes which have helped increasingly more arthritis sufferers select complete knee alternative surgical procedure — the gold normal for the remedy of superior knee arthritis — over a lifetime of ache, dependence and immobility. Higher-designed implants, higher supplies, newer applied sciences, improved entry and consciousness have improved affected person outcomes, contributing to the rise within the variety of knee alternative surgical procedures being finished globally. Higher post-operative rehabilitative methods imply sufferers get better sooner and extra successfully.
Q. It’s clear that technological development has revolutionised knee alternative surgical procedure, and the restoration interval for sufferers. What are some current improvements that you’re most enthusiastic about as a specialist on this subject?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Robotic-assisted complete knee replacements have helped enhance surgical accuracy within the positioning and the alignment of the knee. This expertise additionally helps stability ligaments and cut back the chance of unbalanced knees. These enhancements over handbook surgical procedure have helped enormously enhance affected person satisfaction, and high quality of life.
Q. Are 80s a protected age bracket for knee alternative surgical procedure?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: There is no such thing as a particular cut-off age and older sufferers can profit from knee alternative surgical procedure as a lot because the youthful ones. Longer lifespan, enhancements in medical science and higher entry imply an growing variety of folks wish to and have the choice to retain their high quality of life effectively into the superior years. Most individuals on this age bracket reside regular, wholesome and lively lives after present process knee alternative surgical procedure. Nevertheless, it is very important bear a medical analysis in session with the physician to find out the very best process for relieving arthritis-related ache and signs.
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Q. Well being is greatest protected earlier in life. For ladies of their 30s and 40s, what early indicators of arthritis ought to they look ahead to?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Whereas ladies are extra liable to arthritis, the chance might be mitigated by means of early consciousness and proactive steps. Understanding the warning indicators and threat elements — resembling menopause, household historical past, and weight administration — can assist ladies take cost of their joint well being earlier than arthritis turns into extreme. If you’re experiencing joint ache or stiffness interfering with actions of every day dwelling, don’t ignore your arthritis signs. Common train, sustaining a wholesome weight, and well timed medical steerage can considerably decrease the chance of arthritis-related issues.
Q. Provided that this situation usually results in lowered mobility and high quality of life, what function do bodily exercise and weight loss plan play in each stopping and managing the illness?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Weight problems is a well-established threat issue for arthritis. Participating in common train can assist, with actions like strolling, biking, and yoga. Eating regimen additionally influences arthritis threat, and sure vitamins, resembling omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, have been linked to a decrease probability of growing the situation. Omega-3 fatty acids, identified for his or her anti-inflammatory properties, are present in plant and nut oils like walnut, soybean, flaxseed, and olive oil.
Q. Psychological well being is commonly neglected in such situations. What recommendation would you give to ladies managing the emotional toll of arthritis, particularly when mobility is compromised?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Stress and nervousness are widespread amongst sufferers coping with arthritis-related situations. Persistent ache and problem with motion can intensify these emotions, usually leading to lowered curiosity in every day actions, low vitality, and lowered focus ranges. Regardless of this, staying lively and practising self-care are important. Methods resembling meditation, music remedy, artwork, and social engagement can assist handle signs. Above all, it’s essential for sufferers to seek the advice of their physician commonly to maintain the illness below management.
Q. What are your prime 5 every day practices to keep up bone well being and general wellness?
Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Common train, wholesome consuming, slicing down on sugar, oil and salt, managing stress adequately, and sustaining a superb work-life stability are all essential to musculoskeletal well-being.
