If thought arthritis is an age-related disease and hits ailing or person over 50, time to think again, as Indian medical experts recently revealed, the condition is no longer age-bound and they are witnessing an increase in number of arthritis patients as young as 30 years old.
Commenting on this new rising phenomenon in young people these days, Dr. Raju Vaishya, an orthopedic surgeon at the Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said, “Age is not a factor in arthritis. It can affect the young and old alike. Rheumatoid arthritis affects young women after child birth or due to injury-stress."
He added, people such as dancers, sports persons and others who engage in physical activity are also at risk due to various injuries like swollen muscles, sprains, knee injuries or fractures they suffer over the course of time.
“You never know when that pain aggravates and the swollen joints take the shape of arthritis. Today’s young athletes may become tomorrow`s osteoarthritis patients,” said Dr. Vaishya.
The condition is caused when a protein substance known as cartilage (that serves as a “cushion”) between the bones of the joints, starts degenerating either due to age or constant injuries. It generally affects joints of hands, feet, weight-bearing large joints of hips, and knees.
Troublesome findings
As per medical experts, osteoarthritis hits around 21 million out of nearly 43 million people with arthritis. One in every six people is in its grip and the condition is expected to reach epidemic proportions by 2020.
“Any injury to the cartilage to or injury through minuscule tear will ultimately lead to arthritis of joints. Once the cartilage is injured, the damage is permanent,” said Rajeev K. Sharma, Senior Consultant at the Apollo Hospital.
These days cartilage injury can be cured by cartilage transplant surgery, however, experts believe prevention is better than cure and people should make some lifestyle changes
to stay healthy.
As per Vaishya, regular light exercising such as walking, yoga, proper nutrition and hydration, is better option.
Early detection key to better treatment
There might not be any definite cure for arthritis till date, but medical experts believe that early diagnosis could help in better treatment of the condition and also reduces the risk of mental and physical trauma that would hit the patient if the condition is in its advanced stages.
As per chief orthopedic surgeon of Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, S.K.S. Marya, "People need to understand the disease correctly so that precaution can be taken much earlier in life and patients
can get the right treatment. There is no definite cure for arthritis.
"Pain can be reduced and controlled through medicine and physiotherapy. If diagnosed late, one might even have to go for a joint replacement surgery as the damage is irreparable,” he added.
Commenting on this new rising phenomenon in young people these days, Dr. Raju Vaishya, an orthopedic surgeon at the Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said, “Age is not a factor in arthritis. It can affect the young and old alike. Rheumatoid arthritis affects young women after child birth or due to injury-stress."
He added, people such as dancers, sports persons and others who engage in physical activity are also at risk due to various injuries like swollen muscles, sprains, knee injuries or fractures they suffer over the course of time.
“You never know when that pain aggravates and the swollen joints take the shape of arthritis. Today’s young athletes may become tomorrow`s osteoarthritis patients,” said Dr. Vaishya.
The condition is caused when a protein substance known as cartilage (that serves as a “cushion”) between the bones of the joints, starts degenerating either due to age or constant injuries. It generally affects joints of hands, feet, weight-bearing large joints of hips, and knees.
Troublesome findings
As per medical experts, osteoarthritis hits around 21 million out of nearly 43 million people with arthritis. One in every six people is in its grip and the condition is expected to reach epidemic proportions by 2020.
“Any injury to the cartilage to or injury through minuscule tear will ultimately lead to arthritis of joints. Once the cartilage is injured, the damage is permanent,” said Rajeev K. Sharma, Senior Consultant at the Apollo Hospital.
These days cartilage injury can be cured by cartilage transplant surgery, however, experts believe prevention is better than cure and people should make some lifestyle changes
to stay healthy.
As per Vaishya, regular light exercising such as walking, yoga, proper nutrition and hydration, is better option.
Early detection key to better treatment
There might not be any definite cure for arthritis till date, but medical experts believe that early diagnosis could help in better treatment of the condition and also reduces the risk of mental and physical trauma that would hit the patient if the condition is in its advanced stages.
As per chief orthopedic surgeon of Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, S.K.S. Marya, "People need to understand the disease correctly so that precaution can be taken much earlier in life and patients
can get the right treatment. There is no definite cure for arthritis.
"Pain can be reduced and controlled through medicine and physiotherapy. If diagnosed late, one might even have to go for a joint replacement surgery as the damage is irreparable,” he added.
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