Dr Sudhir Kumar Picture by Hardeep Singh

Hand, spine and micro reconstructive surgeon and associate professor, department of orthopaedic, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, talking to Rudra Biswas, warns more than 90 per cent of injuries to bones, limbs or spine happen due to road accidents which lead to agony, pain and even permanent disability.

lGiven the spurt in the number of road accidents, are specialised centres for reconstructive surgery available in the state?

Such facilities are available mostly in the metropolitan cities. In case of a loss of a limb, the severed limb needs to be packed in a sterilised polythene and kept in an ice pack. The limb has to be rushed to a dedicated centre within six to eight hours. Sadly, no specialised centre exists in the state where the severed limb can be replanted or a permanent disability reversed.

lWhat then is the remedy available to the residents of the state?

Precaution and self-care are the only remedies available. A balanced and nutritious diet that would ensure a minimum calcium intake of 1,000 to 1,500gm per day, safe driving and regular exercise is all that is needed.

lWhat facilities are available in Jharkhand vis a vis orthopaedic treatment?

Complete treatment facilities exist in the state for spinal injuries and instability, fractures and wounds, deformities, complete knee and hip replacement and disk prolapse.

lWhat about the cost of medical attendance?

The cost of knee or hip replacements is 40 per cent less in Jharkhand as compared to that in the metropolitan cities. Patients come to Ranchi all the way from big cities for knee or hip replacement.

lWhat should be done to prevent and cure back pain?

Obesity, bad posture, long hours before the computer in an imperfect posture, sagging beds cause most back pains. Milk should be bought only from an authorised depot given the risk of synthetic milk that is also available in the markets. Again daily rigorous exercises, good posture, a hard bed to sleep on and a nutritious diet should take care of backaches.

What are the common orthopaedic ailments noticed in the state?

Early ageing among the tribes due to a lack of nutritious diet, accidents and resultant injuries and water-borne diseases caused by the high percentage of fluoride in drinking water are some of the causes of orthopaedic ailments in the state.