Workshop Saturday on new concepts for shoulder reconstruction

With the rise in the number of Indians undergoing shoulder reconstructions, the Indian Spinal Injuries Center along with the Delhi Orthopaedic Association will Saturday host a day-long workshop on new technologies from across the world that cause minimal invasion and inconvenience to the patients.

During the workshop, renowned orthopedic surgeons Sonu Ahluwalia and Raj Ahluwalia will speak on the reasons behind the prevalence of shoulder injuries among Indians and also on the advantages the new concepts of shoulder reconstruction has over the traditional concept followed in most of the Indian hospitals.

"Shoulder is the most complex and unstable joint in the body, it can get injured easily. Many surgeries have been developed to repair the muscles, connective tissue or damaged joints that can arise from traumatic or overuse injuries to the shoulder," Sonu Ahluwalia told IANS at pre-event conference here.

He said the lack of research facilities on medical sciences and the dearth in the finances to support the research are the two biggest reasons that delay introduction of the latest medical technologies in India.

"Today countries like America and several other medically advanced nations do shoulder reconstruction surgeries that involves use of smaller incisions and tiny instruments perform the repair," he said.

According to the health ministry, over 50 lakh shoulder surgeries are performed in India every year.

"Unlike earlier joint replacements, the new technologies will help orthopedic surgeons perform surgeries in a much more accurate way. These technologies will help in better mobility of patients after joint replacements and also give relief from pain to a great extent," Sonu Ahluwalia said.

Raj Ahluwalia said: "As the recovery post-surgery depends upon many factors, such as where the tear was located, how severe it was and how good the surgical repair was, full recovery is achieved after 3 or 4 months of operation. The new technologies can significantly decrease pain and improve function for patients and contribute significantly to an improved quality of life."

"The workshop aims to share knowledge and learning among the medical practitioners as well as the general public about the latest concepts in shoulder reconstruction as well as its rehabilitation," Raj Ahluwalia told IANS.