A COMMON misconception is that only elderly people experience Osteoarthritis, but according to physiotherapist Stephanie Pires, who is attached to the Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation Centre, young people can also develop the condition.

She made the point recently in context of World Physiotherapy Day (observed on September 8) which focused this year on arthritis and the role physiotherapists play in assisting those affected.
Pires told Guyana Chronicle that the misconception stems from the fact that a majority of the cases involve persons who are over 50 years old. “But this is not necessarily so; one of the patients in the pool right now said she was diagnosed with it since age 20.”

She was referring to the pool at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara where she and about seven other physiotherapists came together to conduct an activity in celebration of the day.

According to her, not many persons know that developing arthritis is preventable. So the event that day shed light on the subject in the form of fun activities in the pool, discussions, and appropriate exercises needed to cope.

Pires, who sees mostly neurological patients with conditions like stroke, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, etc., believes that Guyana is making great leaps and strides in physiotherapy.

She observed how the buoyancy of the water helped the approximately 20 patients who showed up to do the necessary exercises. “That’s why hydrotherapy and aquatic exercises are so important.”

Other physiotherapist attached to the National Sports Clinic Kemra Budhram said the activity that day was a collaboration between her department, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Physiotherapy Department, and the Palms Rehab Department.

“Our patients diagnosed with arthritis came together and we explained what it is, the importance of exercise, and a little on nutrition. There were also activities to show the kind of exercises they could do for the arthritis,” Budhram explained.
She believes that the arthritis theme was chosen this year because the condition is very common and affects all ages, even children. (By Telesha Ramnarine)