Here’s how you can efficiently treat arthritis with innovative technologies & solutions.
Arthritis is a disabling condition in which the joint surfaces get inflamed, ultimately leading to degeneration and loss of cartilage space. There are various kinds of arthritis, most notably osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, there are over 180 million cases of arthritis in India and if this trend continues, the country will be the global capital of arthritis by 2025.
In the next decade or so, knee arthritis is expected to become the fourth most common cause of physical disability in India. Joint replacement surgeries, in particular knee and hip replacement, also have been on the rise, keeping pace with the prevalence of arthritis and are expected to double in the coming decade.
Researchers and industry players are rigorously working towards efficient and effective treatment methods to treat arthritis and its related primary and revision joint replacement surgeries. With technology coming to the forefront, many innovative treatments which are simpler, quicker, and more efficient are being used to treat patients.
Fast-track programme: In a fast-track programme, the surgery is performed using a minimally-invasive approach with minimal or no cutting of the muscles. The incision is very small (¾ inches) and there are no stitches. Both knees can be operated simultaneously and operating time is kept to a minimum. Blood loss is negligible following surgery and blood transfusion is seldom required. The patient is made to stand and walk within 2-3 hours of surgery and is pain-free during their hospital stay which is also shortened to two days.
Thereafter, a home-based exercise programme is initiated which results in the rapid recovery of the patient. The patient can expect to walk outdoors without support by 3-4 weeks, drive a car or a bike by six weeks and get back to work in no time. Since the latest implants available are of high flexion design, the knee can bend to 135-140 degrees. That means patients desirous of sitting cross-legged can do so without any difficulty.
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