Dr. Samuel Wafula from St Luke’s Orthopedic and Trauma Hospital has educated Kenyans on Arthritis noting that the disease affects most people especially at old age.
During a live interview on West Fm, Dr. Wafula said that Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age. He further named the various types of Arthritis; osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and gout. Osteoarthritis is the deterioration of cartilage in joints which results in bones rubbing together and creating stiffness thus impairing movements.
Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by severe pain, redness and tenderness in joints while rheumatoid arthritis is chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints including those in the hands and feet.
Dr. Wafula added that Arthritis has many causes including wear and tear of joints from overuse, old age, injuries, obesity, genes or family history and muscle weakness. The analysis of different types of body fluids can help pinpoint the type of Arthritis a person may have. Fluids commonly analyzed include blood, urine and joint fluid.
The general symptoms of Arthritis include painful joints, stiffness of joints, swelling and tenderness of joints. Dr. Wafula explained that Arthritis can be treated in the following ways; therapeutic injections, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory injections.
Furthermore, Dr. Wafula together with the Public Relations officer Tirop John urged Kenyans to visit St Luke’s hospital for services such as maternity, neurosurgery, physiotherapy and Intensive Care Unit.
The hospital is having a three-day free medical camp from 27th – 29th of July at Tayside wing from 9am -4pm where services like x-ray, free consultation and education of masses about Arthritis will be conducted.
By Asma Shaban.