Younger people are becoming prone to arthritis now owing to lack of exercise and exposure to the sun, say experts. Speaking at the World Arthritis Day celebrations, S. Sivamurugan, director and orthopaedic surgeon at Soundarapandian Bone and Joint Hospital said, “Usually, people get arthritis when they are 60 or so; but these days, some people get it as early as 45. Younger people are developing it primarily because they don’t exercise adequately.”
He noted that due to lack of awareness, most people go to the doctors only when the disease gets severe. “In that case, invariably, surgery becomes necessary,” he added.
Since awareness is pretty low, most often, people resort to over-the-counter medication which will only give them temporary relief, Ravi Subramaniam, director and orthopaedic surgeon of the hospital, said. “If they come in the initial stage itself, then it can be cured with physiotherapy and some medicines,” he added.
Dr. Subramaniam said high uric acid levels in a person’s body makes them more vulnerable to arthritis. “We advise such patients to completely stop taking milk and meat,” he added.
To increase the awareness of arthritis, the hospital conducted a photography competition last week.
The prizes for the competition were distributed at a function here on Monday.
