Rohit Shishodia
Doctors at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital have said that around 500 patients of road accidents and physical assault come to the hospital's emergency for treatment per day. They added that they have started various awareness programs on preventing orthopedic injuries and plan a series of public lecture to spread awareness.

Prof Ramesh Kumar, Director, Central Institute of Orthopedics (CIO), Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, told DTMT: “There is need for greater awareness on prevention of orthopedic diseases including osteoporosis and gym abuse. We recently organized a rally and plan public lecture on March 16, 2019 on various orthopedics topics.”

“People should be educated before they are affected with any injury or with any disease. This includes information on sitting and standing or adhering to right posture and impact of Yoga, balanced diet and performing right activities in the gym. We want to involve public in our campaign. This can prevent orthopedic diseases,” added Dr Kumar.

Dr Kumar pointed out that  there has been an increase in patients of gym abuse, including disk slipping and spine problems. Around 8 to 10 patients of spine injuries due to gym abuse are coming per month. Total number of patients of gym abuse coming to Safdarjung hospital is high.

Dr Kumar said that consuming synthetic proteins and steroids can give temporary good looks, but after quitting them, body shape would come down as it was earlier.

“In fact, muscles can be built by consuming these steroids, synthetic proteins and various supplements, but these muscles do not have stamina. Normal healthy man does not require these supplements. I would advise that youngsters first perform exercise and consume natural diet. After you get better muscle stamina, you can join the gym.

“Right posture habits, balanced and healthy diet, 10 minutes daily exercise and half an hour of sun exposure is required to prevent osteoporosis which is largely prevalent among people today. Women above 50 years of age are largely affected with osteoporosis. This is a silent killer,” said Dr Kumar.

Dr Ashu Meena, Department of Orthopedics, Safdarjung Hospital, said that patients of Osteoarthritis have increased these days. This impacts joints and leads to joint replacement. It can be prevented by consuming healthy diet and physiotherapy, using western toilets and avoiding use of stairs. This largely impacts elders.