In connection with Bone and Joint Day (August 4) Tamil Nadu Orthopedic Association joined hands with IOA and announced at a press conference on Tuesday about a handful of initiatives it has taken to educate the public about bone and joint health.
The patients and the elderly visiting Ganga Hospital, one of Coimbatore’s most sought hospitals for bone and joint related issues were given free Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests and other inspections. To patients and people with low BMD, calcium supplements were given.
Dr.Thirumalaisamy, President, TNOA was there along with Coimbatore Orthopedic Association’s President Dr.G.Balasubramaniam and its Secretary Dr.P.Dhanasekara Raja. Dr. Rajasekaran, former President of IOA joined the press conference and shared his inputs.
Dr.Thirumalaisamy conveyed that this year is the Golden Jubilee year of TNOA and they have started to educate the students studying orthopedics about the latest developments in the field through webinars which is being addressed by eminent and experienced orthopedic professionals.
As normal events are not possible due to COVID, the Association is focused on creating awareness to the public about how timely surgeries could fix the bone deformities much earlier by virtual programs.Pamphlets about bone and joint health are being distributed to the public and through the Association’s official YouTube channel, educative program for the public will be aired today at 5 p.m.
Dr.Rajasekaran, shared since 1955, the Indian Orthopedic Association has been continuously taking measures to educate the society about bone and joint issues and health topics. He further added that the association decided that one IOA member should do one free orthopedic surgery to a needy patient on as Bone and Joint Day.
On the very first Bone and Joint Day, 3500 free ortho-surgeries were done across India by the members of IOA and the tradition continues till now. Every year, close to 2000 free surgeries are done but this year, because of COVID, that program has been halted, however education about ortho-health is being made through all mediums.
Talking about joints, Dr.S.Rajasekaran said that of all the joints, the knee-joints are at a risk in India’s demography. Foods rich in calcium and minerals such as milk, veggies and meat should be taken adequately. At the same time exposure to sunlight in the early morning should be made to gain nutrients the body needs to maintain bone health. Speaking about women’s bone health, he added that women after menopause should take calcium supplements as per doctor’s advice.