World Arthritis Day: Myths and Facts About Arthritis Among People
Pune, October 12, 2020: On World Arthritis Day, doctors mentioned that there are many myths about arthritis among people. On the day, experts mentioned the need to spread awareness about the disease.
Common myths like arthritis is an old person’s disease, arthritis cannot be cured, exercises are not allowed in arthritis; are prevalent in society. Because of the lack of awareness people remain unaware of the facts.
World Arthritis Day is celebrated every year on October 12. It aims at raising awareness about the disease. Arthritis is the inflammation of joints. It can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, redness, and difficulty in moving the affected joint. Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), are the two common types of arthritis.
Dr Kailash Patil, the consultant orthopedic surgeon at Sancheti Institute of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, said, “People think that arthritis happens only in old age. But, rheumatoid arthritis usually happens in 15 to 45 age groups. There is a type of arthritis which can happen even in a school going child. Also, there is a myth that if you do a lot of exercises at a younger age, you will get arthritis at your old age. But, it is not true. In fact, if you take care of your joints and if you remain active at your young age, you decrease the chance of arthritis. Only if you get any injury during those days, then you may get arthritis in the future.”
He further added, “People also think that if they undergo surgery for any orthopaedic injury, they would get arthritis in the future. But it is again not true. In fact, if you do not get them operated in time, that would get arthritis. Also, almost more than 95 percent of the knee or hip replacement surgeries become a success story. Hence, people should not have any fear and these surgeries do not cause arthritis.”
Dr Nilesh Patil, the consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Sancheti Institute of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation said, “Some people think that there is no treatment available which can cure arthritis. But it is not true. Though it is a chronic disease and it stays with the patient for long, the proper treatment proves to be a great healer for the patient. There is also a myth that all the medicines for arthritis contain steroids. Though in some cases we use the steroids, we use them in the initial stage and we do not use them for the entire treatment.”
While explaining about more common myths related to food intake, he added, “Also, there are many myths related to diet. Some people think that arthritic people should not drink dal or lemon or curd. But it is not correct. Also, people think that arthritis happens because of calcium deficiency. But it is again not correct.”
Arthritis has a cure and its progress can be arrested if proper treatment is taken. Correct posture, proper exercises, a balanced diet, and correct weight can prevent arthritis.
