Date:19/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/19/stories/2006101902660200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

A club for arthritis patients

Special Correspondent

It is one of the many major ailments in our country

Close to 15 per cent of India's population suffer from arthritis

The club will provide moral support for patients with arthritis

Bangalore: To join this club, you may need to be rather stiff in the joints. Manipal Hospital now has an Arthritis Club, inaugurated on Wednesday by Jayaprakash, Head of Sports Medicine with Sports Authority of India. Not just the elderly, even healthy young sportspersons are prone to problems with their joints.

Close to 15 per cent of the general population could have one or other form of arthritis and this means, around 15 crore people in the country. There are more cases of oesteo arthritis among women and juvenile arthritis among the young.

The club will attempt to provide moral support, care and concern for patients with arthritis and their families; provide information and opportunities for patients and families to share their experiences. It will also motivate patients to preserve their mobility through a regular exercise programme and conduct physiotherapy sessions with trained personnel.