Bhaichung Bhutia joins Sanofi India’s ‘Steps that Count’ World Arthritis Day initiative

On the eve of World Arthritis Day 2014, Bhaichung Bhutia, former captain of India’s football team, joined Sanofi India’s ‘Steps that Count’ initiative to raise awareness on knee osteoarthritis. The initiative encourages patients to live well with osteoarthritis by following the three important steps of Talk- Control- Exercise.

According to Dr Karthik Pingle, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Apollo Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, “After diabetes, osteoarthritis is considered the second most prevalent disease in the age group of 30-55 years. Of all the joints, osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the most common. A number of factors such as sedentary lifestyle, rising obesity and poor dietary habits contribute to the high prevalence of knee osteoarthritis.”

Dr Senthilnathan Mohanasundaram, Director- Medical Affairs, Sanofi India stated, “With over 15 million patients, India has the second largest osteoarthritis patient base– women forming a large portion of this population3. We are delighted to have Bhaichung Bhutia support Sanofi’s ‘Steps that Count’ initiative that aims to raise awareness on knee osteoarthritis among young arthritic patients (30-55 years age). Bhaichung’s testimonial and experience with viscosupplementation will motivate patients to explore treatment options with their specialists and lead an active and better quality life.”

Depending upon the grade of knee osteoarthritis, treatment options include a combination of exercise, a healthy diet, painkillers, viscosupplementation injections as well as surgical procedures to relieve pain and restore function.

Dr Sachin Yadav, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Consultant, Skyline Hospital & Ayushman Hospital, Delhi, and Bhaichung Bhutia’s treating physician shared, “I have found viscosupplementation to be an effective option for young active individuals such as Bhaichung Bhutia as it enables them to maintain their active lifestyles. This is supported by the recently published OASIS (Osteoarthritis Synvisc One Indian Post Marketing Study) which concluded that viscosupplementation with Synvisc One was well tolerated and effective in reducing knee pain in an osteoarthritis patient with a significant long-term (1 year) improvement of outcomes4.”

Viscosupplementation involves injecting a fluid into the joint- which mimics the natural synovial fluid- and helps lubricate and cushion the diseased joint5. This enables increased flexibility, easy movement and helps reduce pain.

While sharing his experience Bhaichung Bhutia stated, “As part of Sanofi’s ‘Steps that Count’ initiative, I am here to share my story and the significance of timely intervention to deal with knee osteoarthritis, which is an extremely painful condition. I needed a solution that would help me maintain my active lifestyle, and am grateful to my doctor for suggesting viscosupplementation with Synvisc One. This simple treatment has today enabled me to live well with knee osteoarthritis, and to continue to do the things I enjoy– foremost among them being playing football.”

Viscosupplementation usually does not have any side effects such as those associated with steroids and painkillers, and seeking timely treatment from their doctors can help patients keep their joints healthy.

References:

1. Felson DT et al. Risk factors for incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis in the elderly: the Framingham

Study. Arthritis Rheum. 1997 Apr;40(4):728-33.

2. White DK et al. Daily walking and the risk of incident functional limitation in knee osteoarthritis: an observational study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Sep;66(9):1328-36.

3. http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/new-pain-relief-therapy-for kneeosteoarthritispatients/605646/

accessed on 08/10/2014

4. Pal S et al. Long-Term (1-Year) Safety and Efficacy of a Single 6-mL Injection of Hylan G-F 20 in Indian Patients with Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. Open Rheumatol J, 2014; 8: 54-68

5. Wang Y et al. Effects of Hylan G-F 20 supplementation on cartilage preservation detected by magnetic resonance imaging in osteoarthritis of the knee: a two-year single-blind clinical trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2011 Aug 24;12:195.

EP News Bureau– Mumbai