Russian technique for limb correction available at AKUH
Read in Urdu “Most bone deformities and fractures can be effectively managed with a Russian technique called Ilizarov,” Dr Masood Umer, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Aga Khan University Hospital, informed the audience at a health awareness programme in Hyderabad. Limb lengthening is a technique well - known since the last 50 years. Originally developed in Russia, Ilizarov involves external appliances that can help realign misshapen limbs. Deformity correction, reconstruction of skeletal defects after trauma or tumour resection, treatment of chronic bone infections and management of complex articular fractures, can all be efficiently managed by the Ilizarov technique.
“The procedure is performed regularly at AKUH with good to excellent results. AKU also conducts annual postgraduate courses to teach this innovative technique,” said Dr Umer.
Dr Haroon Rashid, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, emphasised that early diagnosis is important to cure common hand problems including both painful and non-painful conditions. A thumb is as important as all the other fingers so special emphasis needs to be given by hand surgeons to treat thumb deformities. Even a congenitally deficient thumb can be successfully reconstructed.
Dr Tashfeen Ahmad, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, gave an overview of complications from diabetes such as foot ulcers and bone/joint problems. He stressed the need for patients and their caretakers to identify these in the early stages and to seek the required medical care as soon as possible. “Any sore on the foot or leg, whether or not it is painful, requires a doctor's immediate attention. Treatment can help heal sores and prevent new ones from developing. Diabetic patients suffering from feet and legs problems need to be careful as these can become life-threatening,” he stated. In the past few decades, care of patients with diabetes mellitus has been improving. With better understanding of the cause of complications in diabetes, it is now possible to prevent the onset of complications such as foot problems. Moreover, such problems can be identified in the early stages, when treatment has a good chance of being successful.
The lectures were followed by a question and answer session with the speakers.
The Hospital has organi s ed over 300 ‘Signs, Symptoms and Care' programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta and the UAE, benefiting more than 50,000 people. Similarly, A KUH's Patient Welfare Programme reaches out to patients by providing assistance to those patients who are unable to afford the medical cost of their treatment. 73 per cent of all patients treated at the AKUH are from low- to middle-income areas. Since the inception of this welfare programme in 1986, PKR 2 billion has been disbursed to more than 300,000 needy patients.
For further information, please contact:
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74000.
Fax: 493 - 4294, 493 - 2095 www.aku.edu
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