Overweight people at greater risk of having knee arthritis

Aimed at creating awareness about leading a healthy life after the knee-replacement surgery for arthiritis, a talk was organised jointly by the State Bank of India Pensioner’s Association and the Railway Senior Citizen Welfare Society here today.

“I was in pain for a decade as I was not willing to undergo the knee-replacement surgery. But after having undergone the procedure, I feel young again at the age of 74. I can also climb the stairs easily,” said veteran actor Sulbha Despande while talking on “Arthritis: Stand on Your Feet Again” today.

Sulbha had developed osteoarthritis at the age of 58, and even painkillers as well as physiotherapy had failed to show any positive results.

“My family doctor recommended me undergoing surgery, and I haven’t looked back ever since,” she said.

At the occasion, Dr Manuj Wadhwa (Fellow Ranawat Knee Foundation USA) and Director, Department of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, said people above 50 years of age were more vulnerable to knee arthritis as compared to their younger counterparts.

While the ailment strikes every three out of five people aged 65 and older, these days a number of youngsters, too, exhibit the symptoms,” he said.

Dr Wadhwa advised a lifestyle change for youngsters to ensure an arthritis-free older age. “With the young generation showing signs of the ailment, the need of the hour is to draw a strategy that ensures a healthy and problem-free lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight” he said and suggested that while on the one hand people should avoid alcohol, smoking and junk food, on the other they should do plenty of exercises.

source: indianexpress

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