'Arthritis can be managed by simpler techniques'

HYDERABAD: The surge in joint replacement surgeries, touted as a `cure' for arthritis, is making orthopaedic surgeons ring alarm bells on this World Arthritis Day on October 12. Themed `Let's work together', city's senior orthopaedic surgeons warn denizens who are being talked into this expensive procedure at a younger age by hospitals when they can be managed by simpler techniques.
An estimated 3,000 knee and hip replacement surgeries are being done in Andhra Pradesh annually.Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr L Narendranath of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) says that nearly 50 per cent of these surgeries are being forced on unsuspecting patients by the medical fraternity for their own gains.
"Lots of people are undergoing knee and hip replacement these days at a much younger age. The number of people undergoing such procedures has gone up ten-fold in the last decade and nearly 50 per cent of these cases do not need these replacement surgeries," says Dr Narendranath adding that following this surgery also, some amount of disability is still left.
According to Dr K G Reddy, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Apollo Hospital, only 5-10 per cent of the arthritis patients need joint replacement surgery. "I come across patients who have undergone this surgery when they could have been managed otherwise," says Dr Reddy. He suggests that if a doctor recommends surgery on the first visit itself, it is advisable that the patient takes a second or third opinion.
Dr G P V Subbaiah, orthopaedic and spine surgeon, Global Hospital says that the crippling disease affects both men and women equally. And the problems induced due to arthritis like stiffness and reduced movement due to pain can be managed by lifestyle modifications, physiotherapy and medication.