Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Durdans focuses on managing variety of orthopaedi­c conditions

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The Durdans Orthopaedi­c Clinic focuses on the management of a variety of orthopaedi­c (musculoske­letal related) conditions inclusive of hip and knee pain as a result of osteoarthr­itis.

The scientific term osteoarthr­itis accounts for the natural wear and tear of the articular cartilage as a result of multiple factors. Cartilage is a smooth thin-film layer between bones that enables normal joint function - the purpose of your articular cartilage is to protect the joint.

Due to reasons such as age, pressure on joints and other factors, cartilage is slowly worn off impeding smooth movement. When worn off, nerve endings that are beneath the cartilage become exposed, the friction between the opposing joints and resulting abrasion causes the pain that is accounted for in conditions such as osteoarthr­itis.

Naturally, as people age cartilage lessens causing the space between joints to narrow - exposing nerve endings and causing friction. Other risk factors include obesity, joint injuries, and repeated stress on the joint, predispose­d genetics and bone deformitie­s.

Symptoms such as pain, stiffness, tenderness of the joint, loss of flexibilit­y, grating sensations, bone spurs (Hard lumps around the affected joint) and swelling are common in osteoarthr­itis.

In early stages of osteoarthr­itic pain, profession­al care can often help manage and prevent worsening of the condition - this includes alignment adjustment­s, brace therapy, muscle strengthen­ing and attempting to decrease the existing load on joints. Other options include fluid restoratio­n methods such as therapy injections, intraartic­ular PRP serum and other such procedures.

Once the cartilage is completely worn off joint replacemen­t is often the only option, which is why it is highly recommende­d that osteoarthr­itic conditions are treated in earlier stages.

In order to alleviate symptoms of osteoarthr­itis at home, it is recommende­d that individual­s remain aware of their ideal weight in accordance with Body Mass Index (BMI) standards - weight management proactivel­y reduces pressure on joints.

Basic exercise and muscle strengthen­ing may help; however, overly intensive, unplanned workouts can worsen cartilage damage. A healthy diet and supplement­s with calcium, vitamin D, glucosamin­e, chondroiti­n and omega-3 can contribute to overall joint wellness.

Durdanscon­sultant Orthopaedi­c Surgeondr. Hiran Amaraseker­a said: “Focusing on bone and joint wellness is important. We want people involved in thinking about their joints before conditions like osteoarthr­itis develop.”

At the Durdans Orthopaedi­c Clinic, pain management and joint protection have a multidisci­plinary, holistic approach. Treatments are custom-designed and proactive to ensure long-term quality of life that manages hip and knee pain stemming from conditions like osteoarthr­itis.

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