Rajavithi Hospital Holds an Exclusive Interview: “How to Avoid Osteoarthritis?”

28 Apr 2006

Bangkok--28 Apr--TQPR (Thailand)

Providing more information to prevent elderly people from Osteoarthritis and education on basic treatment including the introduction of the innovative MIS TKA - Minimally Invasive Surgery for Total Knee Arthroplasty, by MIS Orthopaedic Specialist from Rajavithi Hospital

Dr. Pornpavit Sriphirom, M.D., a skillful surgeon specializing in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) surgery from Rajavithi Hospital, holds an exclusive media interview today on “How to avoid Osteoarthritis?” on 4th floor, Sirindhorn Building, Rajavithi Hospital in order to provide information on the subject that will benefits public in general, especially the Osteoarthritis patients.

In Thailand, the number of Osteoarthritis patients, mostly female, is increasing over ten thousand a year. There are various factors which can cause the Osteoarthritis including degeneration and weight gaining. Incorrect exercise, running, frequent walking up/down stairs, and jumping or dancing are also the reason as these activities force the joints to bear excessive weight and ,over a period of time, cause the Osteoarthritis in elderly people. It is, therefore, very important to provide the knowledge to general public in order for them to know how to avoid Osteoarthritis as well as to educate how to exercise in a correct way. To avoid the activities that may affect or degenerate joints prematurely, patients need to control their weight and exercise in a correct way to strengthen their thigh muscle.

Today, there are numerous treatments for Osteoarthritis patients including medication, Intra Articular Injection, Glucosamine Sulfate, and Arthroscopy: Minimally Invasive Surgery uses small instruments and scopes through tiny incision for the joint replacement. With the traditional treatment, the incision is very large and can cause post-operation back pain. In addition, the patients can lose a lot of blood and need around 10 days for the recovery. Hence, they are worry and afraid to have their treatment surgery. Over a decade ago, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has been introduced and immediately recognized and used widely in general and thoracic surgery. Today, MIS has become the standard of care for many procedures and has become widely accepted in nearly all-medical specialties, often replacing traditional, open surgery. MIS TKA is a method of performing a knee replacement. It leads to have smaller incision; lessening the cut from 8 to 10 inches long down to only 4 to 6 inches long. This means that there will be potentially less damage to the tissue around the knee resulting in significantly less pain and less scar tissue. Therefore, patients will recover and can go back to continue their daily activities faster.

In addition, the total knee prosthesis has also been developed. With traditional knee prosthesis, patients can bend their knees to only 110 degrees. However, after the operation with the new special prosthesis – High Flexion TKA, with good surgery technique, they often will be able to bend their knees safely at 155 degrees. It offers flexibility that helps all patients to continue doing their daily activities including squat activities such as gardening, praying, etc.

“Today, elderly patients are troubled with this problem. The technique to extend the use of their joints is to avoid daily activities that cause harsh or excessive pressure to the knee or joint such as running or jumping over a long period of time, frequent walking up and down stairs and control of their weight. So, it is necessary to provide knowledge to people to know how to protect themselves from Osteoarthritis. Doctor will treat Osteoarthritis patients with medication or injection in order to expand the lifespan of normal knee. In some cases, their joints are seriously degenerated which the painkiller could not relieve the ailment. The doctors will analyze from the X-ray film of their joints and will decide to have joint replacement as the last choice. We need to explain about the evolution of MIS advancement to the patients to let them understand that the new method of surgery will be potentially less damage to the tissue around the knee resulting in significantly less pain, less bleeding and less scar tissue. With enhanced special High Flexion TKA, this is suitable for Thai people. High flexion can be used for 15-20 years by average” said Dr. Pornpavit Sriphirom, M.D., from Rajavithi Hospital. “People can see the sign of this ailment. They will feel severe pain, swelling, and stiffness when they walk. In some cases, their legs bend or are in unusual shape and they need to consult with the doctor for further treatment.”

Using Minimally Invasive Surgery for Total Knee Arthroplasty (MIS TKA) with enhanced special High Flexion TKA, most patients will be able to bend their knees safely at 155 degrees. This will enhance patients to have better quality of life and can continue their normal daily activities as well as to help extending the existence of TKA.

For further information, please contact Or

Tom Van Blarcom / Ruthaiwan Tanwongwan

TQPR (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Tel: 0-2260-5820 ext. 114

Fax: 0-2260-5847-8

Email: [email protected]

Sirirat Jantavongvanich

Zimmer Medical (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Tel: 0-2220-9000 ext. 1286

Email: [email protected]

Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net

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