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Media Release
Ajman, Jun 20: Department of Orthopedics GMC Hospital and Gulf Medical University (GMU) recently hosted a seminar and workshop on osteoarthritis knee joint.
In his introduction on aetiopathology of osteoarthritis, Dr Raad Abdulla Salman from Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, Ajman said, “Osteoarthritis represents a clinical classification of pathological conditions involving a progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, a remodeling of sub-chondral bone and a synovitis which is usually limited. The condition is variously described as a part of a process of age-related change or a disease. It is twice prevalent in women as in men and increases in incidence with age, therefore being a major rise after 60 years”. It is believed that the changes that lead to the development of osteoarthritis are slow (insidious).
“The disease progression is characteristically slow, occurring over several years or decades. The initial primary symptoms are deep, achy joint pain exacerbated by extensive use”, said Dr Amit Chaturvedi, associate professor of orthopedics at GMC Hospital, Ajman.
Professor Kisan Patond, head of orthopedics at GMC Hospital, Ajman said that various genetic abnormalities have been described, but most sporadic osteoarthritis probably depends on minor contributions from several genetic loci. Osteoarthritic joint damage may be associated with clinical problems, but the severity of joint disease is only weakly related to that of the clinical problem. For this reason the associations and pathogenesis of pain are in as much need of investigation as joint damage. Professor Patond presented a stepwise approach to the management of osteoarthritis.
Dr Vilas Kanikdaley, orthopedic specialist from GMC Hospital, Sharjah highlighted on the role of imaging in osteoarthritis. “Today’s era is of evidence based medicine and imaging plays a major role in diagnosing osteoarthritis of knee. Newer techniques in MRI are helping to understand the pathogenesis of disease process which in turn will help in modification of drug therapy”, he added.
“Intra-articular injections are one method that physicians may use to treat joint pain. This method offers direct access to the source of pain for the troubled patient. Substances ranging from steroids to hyaluronic acid have been injected successfully into the various joints of the body in an attempt to provide relief for chronic joint pain. Anesthesiologists and orthopedic surgeons have begun to use intra-articular injections of local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia”, said Dr Sujaad Al Badran, orthopedic specialist from GMC Hospital, Ajman.
K Praveen Kumar, associate dean from College Allied Health Sciences, GMU highlighted on physiotherapy intervention in osteoarthritis. He said physiotherapy plays an important role in the management of the disease related symptoms not only in conservatively managed cases, but also those managed surgically. In conjunction with other team members, the role of physiotherapy is to facilitate safe and effective life style that may be achieved by restoring functional independence in ambulation and transfers, improving muscle strength and range of movement, and providing symptom relief.
“In the management of osteoarthritis, initial efforts should be focused on promoting self-management and healthy lifestyles, promoting best practice, providing timely access to joint replacements. Physiotherapy plays a key role in achieving these goals”, said Praveen Kumar.
The seminar and workshop attracted about 90 specialists and was accredited by Ministry of Health for 6 CME hrs.
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