Excited to address the #Calicut #Orthopaedic Club this Friday and speak to stalwarts, teachers and trainees on #CerebralPalsy and the #orthopaedic treatment possibilities.
I will speak on the need for early detection, treatment and also about the newly released hip surveillance guidelines.
The trainees and general orthopaedic surgeons need to understand the importance of early referral and the benefits of early treatment.
In India with its exploding healthcare facilities and young population, we need to be aware, equipped and future ready when it comes to cerebral Palsy care.
We are all going through a tough time with #COVID19 #Epidemic. It has been a testing time for doctors, public and administrators alike. The poor have been hit badly and are under threat as the epidemic is still spreading in various countries as we speak. Access to healthcare, paying capacity, travel are all issues that the citizens of various demographics have to confront.
We at MedTatva [ https://medtatva.com ], have been trying to solve accessibility to healthcare and diagnostic tools by using technology.
Past few days we have put together the best recommendations from CDC and WHO to build a symptom checker that is simple and which could be completed in less than a minute by a non-medical person.
The small town of #Palakkad #Kerala state may be one of the biggest contributors to #Indian #Athletics. It’s a town predominantly know for its large expanse of rice fields and farming community. In the past athletes like Valsamma, PT Usha have trained here and succeeded. Recently PU Chitra bought laurels to this small town. Many children here look upon these heroes as they train daily.
Recently Palakkad got it’s own first synthetic athletic track and provided a field where young athletes could be groomed better. Several promising athletes are in training in this otherwise rustic, tucked away place. Athletes who’ve successfully represented India at the Asian and Olympic level belong here and have trained here.
Most of these athletes use what is locally available in terms of facilities, gears, coaches to train themselves. The fact that until recently they didn’t even have a change room where they could change themselves into or out of the sports gear after coming from their schools or colleges speaks volumes of the lack of a system in place. Many are from very humble backgrounds. Driven by the need to succeed, as it’s very often the only glimmer of hope from poverty.
Things are changing though. Changing rapidly. As I train and interact with these children while setting up my Sports Injury Clinic here, I realise a renewed vigour in children, coaches and parents where they are unafraid to take up their needs with local authorities and get it done.
With more training facilities promised and the track and field itself being in the process of a long overdue upkeep and upgrade as I type this, it is certain that with children in #India taking to #Sports early and training intensively , #Pediatric #SportsInjuries will become more common. Though there is difference in the pattern of these injuries from those in the west, nonetheless, these required specialised care.
Just in last week I have examined and treated children with old hamstring tears who’ve not rehabilitated well, old ankle injuries with pain, back pain due to stress and renal calculi as a result of training in summer heat with very poor hydration. None of these children received adequate on field or off field medical attention. All of them were not aware of the type of injury they are having and its potential for causing premature career collapse.
I have realised that along with adequate sports injury prevention counselling, these children require counselling for sports nutrition and diet tailored to the sports they are participating. It is sad that while these could be given, not many maybe able to afford such a nutrition on daily basis. Mr. Haridas the coach of the Olympic Athletic Club here at Palakkad is so kind. Everyday he brings these kids mangoes from his farm. It’s little things like these that bind the coaches, parents and kids together and goes beyond simple trainer-trainee contract. The fact that he does this training free of charge is really something laudable.
This is the story of sports in India….
We need better facilities, coaching , gears but most importantly these children need better nutrition. They also need better awareness of injuries as they push themselves to greater heights.
Enthused Children, Happy Children at Sports Track and Field
Mr. Haridas the large hearted coach or the Olympic Athletic Club, Palakkad
Pediatric Sports Injury …A large audience , but is anybody listening ?
I have created a Facebook Community to foster awareness about Paediatric Orthopaedic Limb & Spine Deformities, Bone Dysplasias, Growth Disturbances and Rare Orthopaedic Disorders in Children.
Paediatric Orthopaedic Problems cover a varied spectrum of disorders that require extensive training to handle well.These include congenital (birth defects) of limbs, scoliosis, hip and foot deformities, metabolic disroders like rickets, dysplasias, bone and joint infections and trauma (fractures).
May be you would have seen a child known to you with a bone problem, or may be one of your dear ones has a problem and didnt know whom to ask. Many parents delay the treatment either because of financial constraints or delay seeking treatment thinking that nothing can be done. Awareness is very important. With a specialised Paediatric Orthopaedic and Limb Deformity Surgeons advise these children can get better results it treatment is started early.
This Community will help parents discuss matters pertaining to treatment of these conditions. I will also be posting awareness articles, images periodically.
Please visit my Facebook Page to join, like and share the group. Please help raise awareness among general public that these children can get specialised treatment and can improve their quality of life.
Dr. Easwar T.R 