Back on their feet,and loving it

The Walk the Talk fashion show was held to extend support and counselling to other arthritis patients. “Arthritis is a common problem in India. Through this event we wanted to tell people that despite being an incapacitating disease,arthritis does have curative options. These participants are all living healthily after treatment,” said Dr Rakesh Nair,knee replacement surgeon at the Hiranandani Hospital.

The participants were in the age group of 35-85. “It is important to get treated when the problem is at the initial stage. I waited for six years to get the surgery done before which my movements were restricted. After being treated,I am able to move much more freely,” said 82-year-old Narayan Shetty,one of the participants at the fashion show.

According to Dr Siddharth Yadav,orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital,a major reason why arthritis patients become bedridden is because they are averse to getting operated and don’t address the problem on time.

“Patients need not go through unnecessary pain if they seek treatment at the initial stage. With advanced technology,it is now possible to undergo painless surgeries. Physiotherapy exercise is another option for arthritis patients,” he added.