On the occasion of World Arthritis Day, Fortis Hospital organised a conference in Noida, New Delhi to create awareness regarding reducing knee pain and the various advanced treatments available to treat arthritis.

Orthopaedic experts believe that obesity is a major problem in India and is partly to blame for the rise. “More knee replacements are being performed in younger population than before due to obesity, sedentary lifestyles & other forms of arthritis,” said Dr Brajesh Koushle, senior joint replacement and arthroscopic surgeon, Fortis Hospital Noida.

Addressing at the conference, Dr Koushle said that it is a common misconception that autoimmune diseases (AIs) affecting joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), only affect the elderly. Statistics show that both the young and active can also suffer from these debilitating conditions.

"Patients must not lose hope. Treatment has improved significantly and newer therapies and methodologies including the very exciting biologic disease modifying drugs and procedures like arthroscopy and joint replacements have made a tremendous impact on our ability to treat the various arthritis. With the help of these therapies, patients are now able to live a fuller, healthier and more active life no matter what their age. They can still reach for the stars and realize their dreams," said Dr Koushle.

Dr Koushle further added that as the number of younger patients with arthritic knees increases, the emphasis should be given to prevention, and improvements in surgical techniques and implants will lead to better long-term outcomes when joint replacement is performed.

According to Dr Bimlesh Pandey, rheumatologist at Fortis Hospital, Noida, now a days arthritis of the knee and other joints is striking at younger ages but shedding a few pounds if you're overweight may reduce your risk. He further said that as people become more aware of the facts around joint pain they are more inclined to seek help. "Many people believe that only the elderly suffer from arthritis but I treat patients of all ages in my practice. Often they are misdiagnosed because some doctor’s rule out the possibility of a patient having some form of arthritis as they are too young, and the elderly don't seek treatment as they believe there is nothing that can be done."

Dr Pandey further explains, “There is lot of misconception about arthritis and treatment chiefly 1.There is no treatment in allopathy /modern medicine which is totally incorrect, all arthritis is treatable to a great extent. These are the two most common misconceptions that people have about several types of arthritis. Modern Medicines has excellent medicines and treatment options at various stages. If we could identify early, using early referral policies the outcome is gratifying. There should be emphasis of patient centric approach which includes rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon and physiotherapist, occupational therapist. One has to know a very good referral policies and building team of experts in arthritis management.”

"The treatment for arthritis varies from patient to patient depending on the type of Arthritis they suffer from as well as their individual profile. We use a combination of symptomatic treatment such as anti-inflammatory drugs and disease modifying drugs to treat these diseases. We also recommend exercise to help improve a patient's general health, improve mobility and to strengthen muscles. The type of exercise will vary according to the patient and the type of Arthritis they are suffering from. The daily stresses of life may also aggravate, and can trigger a flare of symptoms, so patients are encouraged to reduce stress,” opines Dr Pandey.