Patna, Oct. 12: The increase in joint replacement surgeries as a “cure” for arthritis made orthopaedic surgeons ring alarm bells on the occasion of World Arthritis Day today. The city’s senior orthopaedic surgeons advised citizens to take precaution to delay the onset of the disease and suggested ways to control it.

“Arthritis is a problem of the joints. The affected person has pain in joints and he or she is not able to do normal activities. Arthritis is now becoming a big problem in society and can affect people of all age group and World Health Organisation has decided to mark October 12 as World Arthritis Day for making people aware about this problem,” said Dr Amulya Kumar Singh, a veteran orthopaedic.

He added: “The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These maladies are no less than mysteries for modern medicine and allopathy. osteo arthritis is prevalent in about 50 per cent of the population above 50 years and in 60 per cent above 70.”

Experts said Arthritis and Rheumatism International, a medical body, first celebrated World Arthritis Day in 1996 and is now a worldwide event, bringing the affected and experts together to get their voices heard. It aims to raise awareness of the condition and make sure that sufferers and caregivers know about all the support and help that is available.

Dr Anish Agarwar, a renowned rheumatologist from Delhi, stressed the need of inculcating the habit of exercise and necessary lifestyle changes to prevent the disease.

“Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Both men and women can be affected and it is more likely to occur in people who are overweight and in jobs that put stress on the joint. Data show that 60 per cent people over 70 yrs suffer from osteo arthritis of the knee. Eighty per cent of patients with osteoarthritis have some degree of limitation of movement and 25 per cent cannot perform major activities, in India,” said another doctor.

He added that the joint pain could appear as hip pain, knee pain, hand pain, or wrist pain as well as joint pain in other areas of the body. “Symptoms that require immediate medical care include stiffness in a joint after getting out of bed or sitting for a long time, swelling in one or more joints and a crunching feeling or the sound of bone rubbing against bone,” he said.

Experts said risk factors of the disease include ageing, occupational factors like repetitive tasks, overuse of joints, overtiring muscles, genetic factors, obesity, injury to knee or hip and lack of nutrient flow.

Talking about rheumatoid arthritis, doctors said the exact cause of the disease, which is more common among females, is not known. “It can occur in all age groups. Even children are not spared. The disease can affect all organ and system of the body apart from the joints and this can damage everything with time. There are now very good medicines available in allopathy. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can cure and control most of the disease,” said Dr Singh.