World Arthritis Day | If joint ache interferes with each day life, do not ignore it, warns famend orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ashok Rajgopal

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 varieties of arthritis exist, and the most typical varieties of arthritis worldwide embody osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Circumstances of each these types of the situation have witnessed a steep enhance globally. In accordance with the World Well being Group, from 1990 to 2019, there was a marked enhance of 113 % circumstances of osteoarthritis worldwide. And in 2019, 18 million individuals worldwide had been residing with rheumatoid arthritis. Girls are extra prone to the situation as a result of a number of elements. However being conscious of danger elements in addition to early indicators and signs of arthritis, may help individuals search well timed intervention to enhance their high quality of life, asserts senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ashok Rajgopal, who has performed over 39,000 complete knee substitute 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 girls, the prevention and administration of this well being situation, and why complete knee substitute 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 ladies. How true is that this, and the way a lot may be prevented by means of proactive measures?

Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Arthritis is marked by joint ache, irritation, stiffness, and decreased mobility. Analysis reveals that ladies are twice as doubtless as males to develop arthritis, and three.5 occasions extra prone to endure from knee arthritis, which is the most typical purpose for knee substitute surgical procedure.

Taking easy steps to stop the development of arthritis may help hold it from impacting our each day lives. The situation is linked to a number of danger elements, each modifiable and non-modifiable. Whereas we can not management the non-modifiable elements, managing the modifiable ones may help scale back the chance of arthritis. Sustaining a balanced eating regimen, managing your weight, and staying bodily lively are key methods for avoiding knee points.

Q. The ladies-to-men ratio of arthritis circumstances is kind of skewed globally. What are the first danger elements that make girls 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 vulnerable to accidents and subsequent arthritis. Genetics additionally affect the event of arthritis. In accordance with research, sure genes can elevate the opportunity of having arthritis. Girls with a household historical past of arthritis are additionally extra vulnerable to get affected.

Q. What’s the position of hormonal adjustments, particularly throughout post-menopause, in accelerating the onset of arthritis in girls?

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.

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Q. Knee substitute surgical procedures are rising globally. What’s contributing to this enhance?

Dr Ashok Rajgopal: There are a number of causes which have helped increasingly arthritis sufferers select complete knee substitute surgical procedure — the gold commonplace for the therapy 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 substitute surgical procedures being finished globally. Higher post-operative rehabilitative methods imply sufferers get well quicker and extra successfully.

Q. It’s clear that technological development has revolutionised knee substitute 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 scale back the chance of unbalanced knees. These enhancements over guide surgical procedure have helped vastly enhance affected person satisfaction, and high quality of life.

Q. Are 80s a secure age bracket for knee substitute surgical procedure?

Dr Ashok Rajgopal: There isn’t any particular cut-off age and older sufferers can profit from knee substitute surgical procedure as a lot because the youthful ones. Longer lifespan, enhancements in medical science and higher entry imply an rising variety of individuals need to and have the choice to retain their high quality of life properly into the superior years. Most individuals on this age bracket dwell regular, wholesome and lively lives after present process knee substitute surgical procedure. Nevertheless, it is very important endure a medical analysis in session with the physician to find out the very best process for relieving arthritis-related ache and signs.

Additionally learn: 10 easy methods to ease joint ache naturally

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 girls are extra vulnerable to arthritis, the chance may be mitigated by means of early consciousness and proactive steps. Understanding the warning indicators and danger elements — reminiscent of menopause, household historical past, and weight administration — may help girls take cost of their joint well being earlier than arthritis turns into extreme. In case you are experiencing joint ache or stiffness interfering with actions of each day residing, 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. On condition that this situation usually results in decreased mobility and high quality of life, what position do bodily exercise and eating regimen play in each stopping and managing the illness?

Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Weight problems is a well-established danger issue for arthritis. Participating in common train may help, with actions like strolling, biking, and yoga. Weight-reduction plan additionally influences arthritis danger, and sure vitamins, reminiscent of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, have been linked to a decrease chance of creating the situation. Omega-3 fatty acids, recognized 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 ignored in such situations. What recommendation would you give to girls managing the emotional toll of arthritis, particularly when mobility is compromised?

Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Stress and anxiousness are frequent amongst sufferers coping with arthritis-related situations. Persistent ache and problem with motion can intensify these emotions, usually leading to decreased curiosity in each day actions, low power, and decreased focus ranges. Regardless of this, staying lively and practising self-care are important. Methods reminiscent of meditation, music remedy, artwork, and social engagement may help handle signs. Above all, it’s essential for sufferers to seek the advice of their physician recurrently to maintain the illness underneath management.

Q. What are your prime 5 each day practices to take care of bone well being and general wellness?

Dr Ashok Rajgopal: Common train, wholesome consuming, reducing down on sugar, oil and salt, managing stress adequately, and sustaining a very good work-life stability are all essential to musculoskeletal well-being.