About 18.2 per cent of people in Dubai, UAE, complain of joint problems before travelling abroad for treatment which 14.1 per cent of the population cites bone and joint diseases as the main reason for seeking treatment, according to a report.

The statistics revealed by the Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Statistics Centre pointed out that for some, even day to day activities like walking or taking a small flight of stairs can be a tedious activity causing excruciating pain in the knee.

Most resort to non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, physical therapy or cortisteroid injections to ease the pain – these however do not relieve the pain in the long run, it said.

Dr Pawan Nath, consultant – Orthopedic Surgery at Abu Dhabi’s tertiary healthcare facility Burjeel Hospital, said: “In surgery, the patient is first put under general anesthesia or localised anesthesia where he or she is numbed below the waist.  An eight to 12 inch cut is made in the front of the knee.

“The damaged part of the joint is then removed from the surface of the bones, and the surface is then shaped to hold a metal or plastic artificial joint.

“The artificial joint is attached to the thigh bone, shin and knee cap either with cement or a special material. When fit together, the attached artificial parts form the joint, relying on the surrounding muscles and ligaments for support and function,” he said.

Joint replacement procedures were initially performed in the early 1970s and the average artificial joint would last approximately 10 years, said Dr Nath.

“Nowadays, about 85 per cent of the joint implants will last 20 years or more. Improvements in surgical technique and artificial joint materials make these artificial joints last even longer,” he said.

“The recent improvements in this type of surgery include minimally invasive techniques where small incisions help in ensuring a speedy recovery and auto-transfusion where the patient’s own blood can be used if a transfusion is required. Also computer navigation and patient specific instruments – help in more accuracy in placing the implant in excellent alignment which helps it last longer. And lastly gender based implant makes better alignment depending on whether the patient is male or female.”

“The average hospital stay after knee joint replacement is usually three to five days. If a single knee is replaced, patients are mobilised after 12 to 24 hours as per the pain threshold of patient. Patient can walk with a walker after around 2 weeks,” said said Dr Nath.

“Stitches are removed after 12 to 14 days and aggressive physiotherapy is commenced, training of step climbing and getting down. Driving is usually allowed after three to four weeks. On an average, through good muscle strengthening and flexibility exercises patients move freely after 6 weeks out of their house.”

“The patient may also have to visit an outpatient physical therapy facility as the final stage of the rehabilitation process. Outpatient therapy may last from four to six weeks, depending on your progress,” he added.

Clancy Po, chief executive officer of Burjeel Hospital, said: “Knee replacement surgeries offer sufferers a new lease of life and Burjeel Hospital has always been committed to provide the best healthcare with world-class medical experts and state-of-the-art technology to the residents of the UAE and GCC. - TradeArabia News Service