World Arthritis Day 2024

Joint disease, or also known as arthritis, is a chronic illness that causes pain in one or more joints in the body. If left untreated, this arthritic condition can affect mobility, function, and quality of life to those who are affected. There are several types of arthritis. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. One of the commonest arthritic conditions we see is osteoarthritis, which affects 10-20% of the adult population in Malaysia. The joint that is commonly involved in osteoarthritis is the knee and, women are frequently affected compared to men.

In general, treatment for arthritis is focus on reducing pain and inflammation as well as maintaining motion and function. This includes taking pain killers when needed and physiotherapy. Low impact exercise can help maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility. Joint replacement surgery, especially in the knee or hip joint, is only indicated when the pain is uncontrolled and the joint involved is badly damaged. Throughout the world, the joint replacement surgery is proven to be successful. If the surgery is carried out with the correct indication, it can help reduced the pain and, maintain function and mobility for those who are affected by it.

Every year on October 12, we commemorate the World Arthritis Day. In 1996, it had its global debut, and in the early 2000s, Malaysia adapts it. It is a platform to raise awareness and educate people regarding joint problems. ‘Inform Choices, Better Outcomes' is the theme for 2024's World Arthritis Day. It highlights how crucial it is for the arthritis sufferers to have a correct and precise information to receive better treatment outcomes.

In today's digital world, people with arthritis can have access to a wealth of information regarding the disease with just a few clicks. Some of the information gathered are evidence based and trustworthy. However, there are also false and deceptive information. The diversity of information, whether true or false, can make treating the condition challenging. Therefore, there is a need for a reciprocal relationship between the arthritic patients and the professional healthcare workers to precisely interpret the correct information. Only with a correct information can produce an effective treatment outcome.

Dr. Fahrudin Bin Che Hamzah

Orthopedic Consultant And Medical Lecturer

Department of Orthopedics

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date of Input: 28/10/2024 | Updated: 29/10/2024 | nadia_rahman