Dr. Deepak Jain, Associate Professor
of Orthopaedics at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital recently completed a
clinical attachment in the department of Sports Medicine at Singapore General
Hospital. The focus of the training was on treating ailments of knee and
shoulder joints using latest keyhole arthroscopic surgical techniques.
Dr. Deepak Jain said that the
incidence of ligament injuries in the knee is increasing in India as the craze
for sports has increased. Also road traffic accidents and twisting injuries
cause injuries to ligaments and menisci which act as shock absorbers in the
knee joint. As these injuries cannot be detected by x rays, they are often
missed and cause difficulty in moving the joints and instability while walking.
By using keyhole surgery, these problems can be treated very effectively. This
is usually done on a day care basis and patient does not need to spend even one
night in the hospital. DMCH has the latest arthroscopic equipment as well as
trained surgeons to treat these disorders.
Dr. Jain also elaborated that
shoulder problems are also on a rise both in the young as well as elderly
population. In the youth, repeated dislocation of the shoulder is a common
problem. This is caused by loosening of joint capsule and can be treated
successfully by keyhole procedures. In the elderly, stiffness and pain in the
shoulder is very common. People with diabetes and thyroid disease are more
prone to shoulder stiffness and should make sure that their blood sugar and
thyroid levels are under control. If not treated properly, it causes tears of
shoulder muscles and the patient is not able to move the shoulder. At this
stage, arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder is required.
The steps in treating these disorders
include clinical assessment of patient, detailed examination, relevant
diagnostic tests which often include MRI of the joint and establishing a
clinical diagnosis. After this, a detailed treatment plan is formulated and non
operative methods are used which include giving rest to the joint, splintage
and guided physiotherapy. If the patient does not improve then operative
procedure is indicated.
Dr. Jain stressed that the immediate
management of ligament and sports injuries should be proper and adequate. Many
of the cases that require surgery are not diagnosed and treated properly in the
initial stages and do not heal.
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