Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedics Pune has opened a 'Knee Club' for the patients suffering from osteriosis arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. “The club is said to be one of its kinds in India devoted for the care of one part of the body. The concept is very much prevalent in other developed countries but in India Sancheti hospital has brought in the concept,” said Swati Bhagat, a physiotherapist in charge of the club.

The club enrolls the arthritis patients initially as members of the club for three months with Rs. 1000 as monthly fees. “During this three months time,” said Bhagat, “We also try to teach our patients besides treating them so that they can be on their own after they complete three months course.” The regimen used at the club to treat the patients is a combination of physiotherapy, yoga therapy and diet therapy.

Stated Swati, “Yoga therapy makes muscle flexible and the with the use of heat modalities the blood supply is improved and the muscles are further strengthened with some exercises.”

The club presently has 130 patients in six batches with 16 patients in each batch. They are classified into three different groups based on the severity of the cases namely-- preventive group, acute group and chronic group. Under preventive group-- patients aged around 30- 40 years are placed who have minor knee complaints and under sub- acute group-- patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and patients with surgical history are grouped under acute group.

Some of the patients expressed satisfaction over the treatment and the final outcome of a one-month course. S.G. Sakrikar, retired civil engineer, 74 years, who is suffering from the pain for last four years, expressed his relief saying, “This is one of the scientific way of getting the relief.”

He however showed his anger against the quacks who cheated him by falsely assuring him of providing ayurvedic solutions to the pain. He also complained about the consultants who do not tell the arthritis patients the scientific reasons of the cause of the disease and if it is curable or not. “I know the pain can't be cured but there are ways of getting the relief and knee club is doing just that,” added Sakrikar.

Yet another patient and member of the club, V.G. Bhosle, 67 years, who is suffering from the knee pain for last two years, echoed the similar views, said he, “I am in much better position now. I have got tremendous relief here in 15 days time, which took much longer time in other treatments.”