15 July 2010
Dehradun, India
Arthritis has emerged as the most common ailment in the country and around 65 crore population will suffer from the disease by 2013, said a doctor in Dehradun.
“According to a survey, nearly 70% of people above the 65 years of age are suffering from arthritis in India and it would become the biggest epidemic of the country by 2013,” Manuj Wadhwa, a consultant orthopediatrist, said.
While osteoarthritis strikes people aged 65 years and above, the younger population is found suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, he said.
Obesity is the main factor responsible for arthritis. Trauma to knee, meniscus tears or ligament damage and bone fractures around joints also contribute to the disease, Wadhwa said.
However, if the disease is diagnosed at right time, problems like stiffness of knees, swelling of joint and tenderness along the joints can be avoided.
Even if the disease is in advance stage, it can be cured through technologically advanced surgical measures like Tissue Preventing Total Knee Replacement Surgery and the patients can again lead a normal life, he said.
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