This World Arthritis Day, experts in the city are focussing on creating awareness about Osteoarthritis (OA) in younger patients. Osteoarthritis which is the most prevalent form of arthritis and the leading cause of disability in India affects over 15 million Indians each year. About 20 years ago, osteoarthritis was known as a disease of the elderly affecting those above the age of 65 years. However, Orthopedicians are increasingly diagnosing younger people in the age group of 35 – 55.
Several reasons can be attributed to this trend globally and in India including growing obesity, sedentary lifestyle, dependence on unhealthy and junk food and a vitamin D deficiency. According to researchers at the Harvard Medical School, walking in high heels puts 25 per cent greater force on the knee than walking barefoot making prolonged use of high heels a risk factor for osteoarthritis in women. Research also shows that athletes who play high contact sports such as football are more common to knee osteoarthritis due to their aggressive training schedule.
According to Dr Shreedhar Archik, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai “India has the second largest knee-osteoarthritis patient base around the world. Traditionally knee-osteoarthritis patients were administered strong painkillers for temporary pain relief. However a new line of treatment called single shot Viscosupplementation offers hope, especially to the younger population suffering from knee osteoarthritis. A single injection brings relief from pain for up to 12 months. This also helps in preventing potential complications due to the indiscriminate use of painkillers as patients no longer have to rely on quick fixes for temporary respite. Patients can now resume their daily activities without any pain/ discomfort or side effects, thereby improving their quality of life.”
Viscosupplementation is an innovative treatment that uses a biological substance to lubricate and cushion the diseased knee joint enabling pain relief and allowing easy movement and increased flexibility. The results of the first Indian study on the efficacy of single shot Viscosupplementation called Osteoarthritis Synvisc One Indian Post Marketing Study (OASIS) published in the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2012 shows that the treatment is beneficial in reducing knee pain for up to twelve months.
EH News Bureau