Lack of exercise and climate change are among a few concerns which threaten to lead to musculoskeletal conditions — related to the bones, joints and muscles.
In Dubai, specifically, there has been a rise in orthopaedic cases, most of which are related to osteoporosis — where bones become weak and are more prone to fracture — and sports-related injuries, according to Dr Maarten Spruit, orthopaedic surgeon at the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre.
Lack of sports specialists
“Most young residents are active and involved in many sports activities, so injuries are likely to occur and get worse, especially when there is a lack of well-trained specialists to treat sports-related conditions,” Dr Spruit said.
The newly appointed specialist has at least ten years of medical experience, the most recent being his position as the Chief of Orthopaedics at the St Maartenskliniek Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Dr Spriut sees the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre becoming the most advanced centre for treatment and research in the field.
“I have very strong and positive ideas ... In due time, I see the centre growing to include 16 to 20 surgeons [and] covering many departments, [such as] spine surgery, trauma-care and deformity,” he said.
In addition to treatment, there are plans to support advance research in prevention and care of conditions such as lumbar disc pathology, spinal deformity and spinal stenosis.
As a principle figure in the investigation of clinical trials and someone who has also published several research papers over the past 15 years, Dr Spruit is confident his expertise will help push Dubai further as an international medical centre.
Need sincere efforts
“It will be challenging because it’s not easy to create a centre that encompasses all fields.
"It takes dedication and effort to achieve this [something which we have], so I hope it will not take too much time,” he said.
Another complaint among the UAE residents has been lower-back pain — a problem more common here than in any other country, according to Dr Spruit.
What people need to do is first talk to a specialist and then seek therapy because there may be more to the problem than they realise.
This problem affects people aged between 25 and 50 as they spend most of their days sitting in front of the computer at work or in cars — most likely stuck in traffic jams.
“It is crucial to make time for exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. I run about 5km each day to keep in shape,” he said.
So far, the challenges he has faced have had to do with convincing patients and their parents of the best treatment methods available to them.
Information: Conditions and their treatments
Dr Spruit explains a few common problems and their possible treatment methods:
- Lumbar disc pathology: It is the most common disc degeneration that causes lower-back pain and discomfort.
It is usually treated conservatively but many surgical procedures have also been developed.
The main categories are minimal invasive procedures, fusion and disc replacement.
A condition called herniated disc causes leg pain and the need for a surgery depends on the severity and duration of symptoms.
Usually, it takes three months unless deficits are apparent.
- Spondylosis: This is equivalent to degenerative changes of facet joints and vertebral bodies.
The condition usually comes with age and can be observed through X-ray. Treatment is mostly conservative — sometimes fusion surgery.
However, many other approaches are also possible.
- Spondylolisthesis: It is commonly caused by spondylosis or degenerative causes.
One vertebra slips forward compared to the inferior vertebra. This condition can cause back and leg pain and more frequently, both.
Treatment is conservative with therapy but other options such as injection or surgery can also be considered.
- Spinal stenosis: This refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal — most common at the L4-5 level.
Surgery gives about 70 per cent long-term results. It implies decompression and gives more space to neural tissue (nerve roots). Sometimes, it is combined with fusion.
- Spinal deformity: This happens when scoliosis, kyphosis or post-traumatic causes create a different and pathological morphology of the spine.
Patients lose their balance, have flat backs or round backs. This condition can be treated with therapy, bracing, casting or surgical correction with instrumented fusion.
- Acetabulum: This is that part of the hip joint where the femoral head articulates with the pelvis.
The cartilage can degenerate, due to which the joints become painful. Treatment includes joint-replacement surgical alternative.
