From the Editor's Desk
Dr. Saravana Bharathy. S. P
Internal Medicine
Dear Mehta's Family
For the month of July, Dr. Mehta’s Multi-Speciality Hospital is placing a spotlight on joint and spine health, focusing on osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, and lumbar spondylosis, urging early diagnosis and proactive lifestyle interventions. We believe mobility is freedom and prevention is power.
As part of this initiative, we are conducting an Orthopaedic Assessment Camp at our hospital. Expert consultations, spine and joint evaluations, and personalised guidance will be offered to help individuals take proactive steps toward pain-free living.
"The body is your first home, protect it before it crumbles."
India’s Silent Orthopedic Epidemic: Are You Ignoring the Early Signs?
Musculoskeletal disorders are silently disabling millions of Indians and the burden is only growing. Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 22% of Indian adults, with nearly 50% of women above 50 showing knee degeneration. With India’s ageing population, sedentary lifestyles, and increasing obesity rates, joint wear and tear is no longer just a geriatric concern, it is an emerging public health crisis. Female gender and obesity are independent risk factors.
Add to this the silent strain of cervical and lumbar spondylosis, and you have a crisis unfolding at the intersection of posture, technology, and neglect. Often labelled as “routine” neck or back pain, these degenerative spinal conditions are anything but harmless. An estimated 60% of Indians over 40 show signs of spinal degeneration, and 80% of office-goers report weekly discomfort linked to prolonged sitting, poor ergonomics, and screen overuse.
The Numbers Speak Loudly:
- Over 3 million new OA knee cases arise annually in India.
- Low back pain alone affects about 632 million people at any given time, with a lifetime prevalence of 40%, especially in the 40‑80 age group.
- Low back and neck pain rank among the top 5 causes of global DALYs; low back pain affects ~632 million people concurrently.
- A cross‑sectional Indian workplace survey reported 80% of desk workers experiencing weekly neck or back discomfort, aligning with global trends.
- Early diagnosis and lifestyle changes can delay, and in many cases prevent, the need for surgery. Despite this, many patients live with pain for years, normalising it, ignoring it, or masking it with painkillers. But timely intervention can change outcomes.
