Dr. Ioannis Tsarouchas, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Director of the Large Joints Clinic of the Athens Medical Center, talks to us about the diseases of the Large Joints, diseases that now concern a large part of the population worldwide, the symptoms they mainly present, but also about the new, effective techniques for their treatment.
Medical science and in particular the specialty of Orthopaedics has evolved to a great extent in recent years and continues to evolve rapidly for the benefit of the patient. The challenges that need to be 'met' are very great and deal with the continuous increase in life expectancy and the improvement of the standard of living of patients, even those of a more advanced age. Diseases such as osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis must be treated quickly, effectively and safely in an ever-increasing number of people.
The large joints (hip, knee, shoulder) are damaged over the years, causing serious dysfunction. The degeneration and destruction of the cartilage lining the articular surfaces of the bones results in severe pain, even at rest, stiffness and deformation of the joints. In the shoulder area, the effects of arthritis make daily life very difficult, since the patient has difficulty using the upper limb, even for self-care. The difficulty is typical in trying to lift the upper limb, which is almost impossible when this is done with weight or resistance. Patients with ligamentous and tendon injuries in the region, conditions usually found in younger age groups (e.g. rotator cuff tears, ligamentous instability - dislocation/subluxation of the shoulder, subacromial friction syndrome) present a similar picture.
In the hip joint, arthritis, apart from the pain and stiffness, may cause shortening of the lower limb (anisosceles), which in turn may affect the functionality of the spine (e.g. lumbago/ sciatica) and the knee. A large proportion of the population is born with anatomical peculiarities in the hip joint (dysplasia, congenital dislocation) or is subject to the damaging effects of drugs (e.g. cortisone) and diseases (e.g. haematological diseases) that may cause osteonecrosis of the femoral head and lead to the development of early hip arthritis. Patients with hip arthritis find it difficult to walk, bend the hip, and simple movements of everyday life such as sitting on low furniture or putting on socks may be impossible.
The knee joint is a complex joint, as there are three articulating bones (femur, tibia, patella) and it has a fairly wide range of motion. The joint often suffers from osteoarthritis with pain, stiffness and a characteristic deformity called ravagonias or vlasogonias (the tibia leans inwards or outwards from the thigh). Due to the complexity of the joint, ligamentous (rupture of the anterior/posterior cruciate ligament, rupture of the medial/external collateral ligament), meniscal (rupture of the medial/external meniscus) and osteochondral lesions are common.
The Large Joints Clinic of the Athens Medical Center is one of the most renowned clinics for the treatment of the above mentioned diseases. The combination of our specialization and many years of experience, with a very large number of successful interventions through the use of minimally invasive techniques in our assets and in particular:
ASI-Anterior Supine Intermuscular method for hip arthroplasty
Application of an anisosceles avoidance protocol in total hip arthroplasty
MIS-Minimally Invasive Surgery method for total knee arthroplasty
ROSA robotic knee surgery
Shoulder/knee/hip arthroscopy
Implementation of fast-track protocols for the rapid hospitalisation and rehabilitation of patients
has established the Large Joints Clinic of the Athens Medical Center as a pioneer in the above mentioned field. It is worth noting the recognition of our Clinic at an international level, with its selection as the only reference centre in Greece and one of the few in Europe for training in the ASI (Anterior Supine Intermuscular) technique.
Interventions for the treatment of diseases of the large joints require specialisation, modern hospital equipment and cooperation between medical specialities, which make up the Interdisciplinary Team. The daily update on scientific developments, combined with the continuous investments of the Athens Medical Group in biomedical equipment, allows us to provide the hospitals of the Group with the latest modern technology, so that we are able to offer the most personalized, harmless and minimally invasive solution for every case involving the Large Joints, no matter how complex it may be.
It is important to realise that even in the difficult period we are experiencing, we should never neglect our health. In the Athens Medical Group, apart from providing high quality health services, the top priority remains the safety of patients, staff and doctors. To this end, the strict measures and protocols for admission and stay that have been established are fully implemented, including mandatory molecular testing for the virus of all patients and their companions.
to guide you about your condition, so you can choose the best possible treatment for it.
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