In a bid to create awareness of the importance of undergoing timely joint replacement surgeries, those who had undergone the procedure took out a rally from Corporation Eco Park to Race Course stadium here on Sunday morning.
“Arthritis of the hip and knee plague many senior citizens as a result of which they are unable to carry out their day-to-day activities. While a few remain ignorant about availability of such procedures to ease their pain, many others are hesitant to undergo replacement surgeries, fearing the pain among other reasons,” said M. Mithran, Trauma and Joint replacement surgeon, Muthu Hospital, which organised the rally.
“People need role models such as these people who have successfully undergone the surgery to put their life back on track. It is not an emergency procedure but a life-altering one,” he added while speaking about the 15 participants of the rally.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sixty-eight-year-old S. Arumugam, a resident of Gnanaolivupuram, said after enduring pain for three years, he finally opted to undergo joint replacement surgery on his left knee. “Persons who have joint pain should consult a doctor and not dismiss it one of the old-age syndromes. After surgery, I am able to walk and function so much better than before,” he stated.
Echoing his views, P. Meenambal, a retired lecturer of Sri Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women, who underwent double knee replacement surgery, said she regained her independence and confidence after the surgery. “Having acute pain in both my knees meant that I had to depend on someone for support to move around. After the surgery, there has been no such issues,” she said.