Marking the World Arthritis Day on October 12, Apollo Hospitals in Secundrabad organised Arthritis awareness programme with total hip and knee replacement patients walking a small stretch at Apollo Hospital premises in the city.

Participating in the arthritis awareness programmed here in Hyderabad Kripanand Tripathi Ujela, Special Secretary, Govt. of AP, flagged off the walk and stressed the need to create awareness among people that Arthritis is a curable disease if diagnosed early.

Arthritis is a crippling disease which is painful, depressing and prevents free mobility. It comes due to age, obesity or lifestyle. When medical therapy fails in such patients, total joint replacement is the only and best option. The walk was organised to spread the message - ‘Arthritis is curable and conquerable’. Apart from Kripanand Tripathi Ujela, Dr Mithin Aachi, joint replacement surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Secunderabad and Dr AY Chari, former DME also took part in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Kripanand Tripathi Ujela, said arthritis is a painful ailment crippling an otherwise active individual. This can impact the person physically and psychologically. However, today’s medical science with its rapid strides has presented options of cure and such individuals can be their normal self, following their daily routine. Several of those participating in the walk here are as active as they would have been in their younger days.

Total joint Replacement is a surgery performed on patient’s knees or hip, which are damaged due to arthritis. This damage can be age related, rheumatoid arthritis, gout etc. Patients who are not able to walk due to severe pain, who have severe deformity in their knees and in whom medical treatment has failed are appropriate candidates for the total joint replacement surgery.

According to Dr Mithin Aachi, over 50 lakh patients suffer from arthritis in Andhra Pradesh of which five lakh need surgery, but last year only 5000 could undergo a knee replacement , the others continue to endure pain and lead a life of misery. It is to educate such patients, Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad organised this walk with the message-‘Arthritis is curable & conquerable’. Total Knee Replacement technology in the treatment of joint replacements has undergone tremendous changes over the past few years. Usually this surgery is required for patients in the age group of 55-75 years. Today, Minimally Invasive Surgery is the gold standard form of surgical approach and the new ceramic based Total Knee Replacement implants are durable and are therefore known as ‘30 year’ knee.

Minimally Invasive Surgery involves minimal scar, negligible blood loss and pain after surgery. This ensures that the patient gets back to work fast, infection rates are low and the outcomes are better. The new ceramic implants with the zirconium coat reduce friction and offer less wear and tear.

Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad has accomplished 100 per cent accurate results devoid of infection through minimally invasive surgical technique, points out Dr Aachi.