Sedentary lifestyle blamed for increase in cases of arthritis
By George.Kebaso, September 14, 2023Experts are raising concern over the rising cases of arthritis in the country.
According to the specialists, the rise in the cases of arthritis have driven young energetic athletes off the running tracks and sports venues.
World Physiotherapy Day was marked on September 8, with this year’s theme being: “Osteoarthritis and the role of physiotherapists in the prevention and management with focus on other rheumatological disorders”.
They were speaking during the launch of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre at Nairobi Hospital.
Sports medicine
The hospital’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, Nicodemus Odongo said the facility will play a big role in the well-being of their clients.
Sports medicine includes a variety of specialties, such as primary care sports medicine, which provides enhanced injury and re-injury prevention.
“Sports medicine provides enhanced injury and re-injury Prevention. It is important because it helps athletes maintain their health and prevent injuries,” he said.
Samuel Odede, the Hospital’s Medical Director, noted that regardless of the surgery performed on a patient, the most important stage is to get the patient mobile again.
Last year, Orthopaedic surgeons sounded an alarm over the rising prevalence of arthritis, with an estimated nine million people, about 18 per cent of the population, at risk of permanent disability.
They said that Osteoarthritis, a condition that a few years ago was associated with old age, is now affecting people below 30 years. Physiotherapists blame sedentary lifestyles for the rise in the cases of the condition.
Jessica Shiraku, head of physical medicine and rehabilitation centre at Nairobi Hospital said to reduce cases, Kenyans must adopt healthy diets and increase physical activity.
“Manage your weight, reduce intake of unhealthy foods such as sausages, and other fast foods to keep at bay conditions that arise from sedentary lifestyles,” Shiraku said then.