Press Coverage

• Over 180 million people in India are suffering from arthritis and need for spreading awareness on treatment options.
• Paras Hospital organized a tree plantation drive with 200 knee replacement patients to spread awareness on World Arthritis Day.
• Arthritis is no longer restricted to the elderly population as it can affect children and adults alike.

Gurgaon, October 11, 2017: With the motto “It’s in your hands, take action,” Paras Hospitals Gurgaon organized a tree plantation drive today on the occasion of World Arthritis Day to spread awareness on arthritis amongst people.

Around 200 knee replacement patients, who have been successfully treated by the hospital and are leading a better life drew others attention that people with arthritis can lead a normal life. Arthritis is one of the leading cause of disability in India these days. From last year there is a high increase in a number of arthritis patients. Around 20% to 25% of patients face arthritis pain every year. A disturbing trend that is going these days are younger generation is more prone to arthritis problems than the people of age group 50- to 60-year-olds.

“Keeping in the spirit of World Arthritis Day, we feel dutiful and encouraged to organize our own campaign with the motto ‘It’s in Your Hands, Take Action’ to encourage people to take matters into their own hands and get themselves treated for Arthritis. The 200 odd people who participated in the tree plantation drive are able to bend down and conduct some basic gardening activities that put relatively high stress on knees. All these people were suffering from arthritis and have undergone knee transplant. This is to showcase how they have benefitted through the surgeries and are able to conduct activities of daily living,” said Dr. Vivek Logani, Chief of Joint Replacement Surgeries, Paras Hospitals Gurgaon.

Organized on the occasion of World Arthritis Day, which was established in 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International, a global initiative was undertaken with the objective of raising awareness on factors affecting rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Observed every year on 12th of October, the initiative attempts to influence policy-making and familiarize people with available support systems, apart from spreading awareness amongst medical community and common public.

The program was conducted at Mapple Emerald Resort Interactions with the patients alongside engaging games and cultural programs were conducted to make the experience informative and enjoyable. Patients shared their experiences of the challenges they faced while suffering from arthritis and their experience with treatment, educating others present in the audience.

“We are happy with the kind of response this initiative has evoked and feel motivated to do better and extend our reach with more such efforts. The patient shared their heart-warming stories with others present and these interactions helped clarify a lot of doubts that people have. Also, patients emphasized on leading a healthy lifestyle, as with altering lifestyles and declining focus on health, it isn’t shocking to witness an alarming rise of arthritis in India now crossing 180 million patients. Old age is no longer a factor associated with arthritis. With the rise in osteoarthritis in youngsters, arthritis is now a leading cause of worry amongst orthopaedists across the world. Improper nutrition and lack of exercise are the leading contributors to arthritis.” said Dr. Vivek Logani.

The factors contributing arthritis have largely been obesity, smoking, and lack of mobility, improper or hunched sitting postures and sudden sports injuries that are often ignored. Arthritis is intricately connected to the lifestyle we lead.  Surviving in a capitalistic world can be stressful and taxing. The accumulation of fat near and the hips and thighs often contribute to the rising incidence of arthritis. This is due to the lack of mobility and ignorance towards symptoms.

The two most common types affecting the general population are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Women aged between 20 and 40 years have begun suffering from rheumatoid arthritis that affects multiple joints while older women suffer from osteoarthritis which includes the gradual wear and tear of the cartilage connecting the joints. Surprisingly, we now witness a rise in juvenile arthritis affecting children even below 16 years-old. The cause is majorly autoimmune (where the immunity of one’s own body starts attacking healthy cells mistaking it for foreign agents).

“The right way to combat arthritis is not to ignore its symptoms which are evident from the beginning. Painful and inflamed joints, difficulty in balancing, difficulty in regular mobility (walking down the stairs, sitting etc), and stiffness around the joints signs are amongst the red flags signifying arthritis. An immediate consultation needs to be taken with a rheumatologist.” said Dr. Vivek Logani

Keeping one’s body weight in check and exercising with spine strengthening exercises can go a long way for improving bone density. Intake of high antioxidant green vegetable and ingestion of Vitamin D and the calcium-rich food is of utmost importance. While it is common to get injured during sports activities, immediate care should be taken to subtle injuries. They could degrade the bone gradually and cause arthritis.

Millions of people across the world suffer from this ailment. After contracting it, proper care is a must. Technological innovations through MRI or X-Ray bring out the potential deficits in the joints. Availability of affordable kneecaps is now a common prevalence in India. With old age comes fluctuating metabolism. It isn’t surprising to find the weakening cartilage in the older population. Some specific recommended exercises are meant for the elderly that provide maximum benefit with no strenuous efforts. Beating arthritis would be possible only with a constant vigil on symptoms and observation of bodily health. Degrading bones isn’t a choice but how you tackle it is entirely up to you.