Dr Harvinder Singh Chhabra

MBBS, MD (Orthopaedics), PGCCHM

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How often does one try to shirk away from using a seat belt and then reluctantly use it for avoiding a fine? Also how often does one care for ample general conditioning exercises and a proper posture even though its importance in preventing spinal and many other ailments is well known?

Spinal ailments are very common. Back pain for example is the second most common ailment after common cold. There should be no doubt in one's mind that the earliest possible opportunity should be availed to prevent, detect and manage spinal ailments

Sadly, however spinal ailments are not managed appropriately at the first opportunity. Back pain is treated but the cause isn't, resulting in several recurrences and chronic pain. Specific medicines for reducing the inflammation in the nerves are often not used for treating the leg pain associated with back pain resulting in unsatisfactory response. Patients with spinal ailments which could have serious consequences are often not counselled about the red flags which should alert them to review with the spinal expert immediately for a timely intervention and good outcome. Osteoporotic spinal fractures are treated but the cause, ie osteoporosis is not treated resulting in subsequent debilitating fractures. A spine fracture is often operated and fixed but the patient is then sent back home without putting him through a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Such spinal injured invariably develop complications like bed sores, contractures, contracted urinary bladders, recurrent chest infections etc. In addition they are forced to lead a vegetative life and have to spend huge amounts of their already constrained financial resources on managing the complications. A comprehensive rehabilitation program before discharge, on the other hand, would have made him/ her physically independent, prevented complications, and led to reintegration into the community with an economically productive life.

The pandemic of spinal ailments necessitates a movement for its prevention and timely as well as appropriate management. Hence the relevance of the slogan "A Stitch in time saves Spine". Each one of us could and should contribute to the movement in whichever manner possible. Since "Charity begins at home", we need to make it applicable on ourselves before thinking of others. The next time one shirks from using a seat belt, for example, one should try to remember the number of hapless persons who are paralysed for life just because they weren't using one!!!!!