A participant in Explowalk completing one of a variety of tasks.
Specialist centre celebrates ‘new life’ for arthritis sufferers
Patients who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgery, as well as their friends and family, took part in a walkathon for charity and to raise awareness about arthritis.
The event was organised by Orthopaedic Specialist Centre (OSC) and attracted close to 150 participants.
Arthritis Foundation Malaysia (AFM) president Dr Benjamin Cheah and OSC management flagged off the 1km walkathon at the centre’s premises in Da Men USJ, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Proceeds of the historic OSC Walkathon 2023 went to AFM in commemorating World Arthritis Day.
Through this milestone, the centre, which opened in 2020 and has since then carried out close to 700 joint replacements, aims to celebrate the health and success that patients have enjoyed after their surgeries.
“With over 20,000 Malaysians suffering from severe degenerative joint disease, there is a pressing need to educate the public on the different treatment modalities for different types of arthritis,” said co-founder and consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Lee Chong Meng during his educational talk on “New Joint New Life” before the event concluded.
A total of RM5,000 was raised via the walkathon.
“We are delighted with the turnout registration and most importantly, we know that this is very meaningful for our patients and their families,” Dr Lee added.
Dr Lee: There is a pressing need to educate the public on treatment for different types of arthritis.
Dr Cheah expressed his appreciation to the centre, and also thanked organisations for supporting AFM through fundraising activities such as the walkathon, emphasising the importance of public education and support.
“Our objective is to empower the public to be equipped with knowledge of arthritis and how it can affect people of different age groups.
“AFM supports patients across the full spectrum of joint disorders and treatments that vary from the type and stage of the disease.
“Our plan, with enough funds, is to provide financial support for patients who cannot afford their arthritis treatment, be it to manage pain and discomfort, or prevent further damage to the joints,” added Dr Cheah.
The walkathon also incorporated an Explowalk where participants completed various tasks at different checkpoints which included puzzle games, golf putting, bean bags throw and yoga poses.
Patients also shared positive experiences with joint replacement surgery.
Some of the day’s festivities included spine screening, bone mass densitometry test, basic health screening, lucky draws, educational talk and patient sharing.
Wendy Chong recounted her positive recovery journey where she walked without assistance just 23 days after bilateral knee replacement surgery.
“I had a very good experience with the whole OSC team, from nurses and surgeons to the management team during my recovery in the hospital,” she said.
Martin Cuell, 66, endured pain in his hip and legs for close to seven years, and was not able to carry out his favourite activities.
Cuell underwent two hip replacement surgeries separately in a span of nine months.
“As shown in my lower golf handicaps, my new hips have definitely outperformed my expectations.”
For almost four years, Datuk Hassan Jamaludin, who turns 74 in December, tried many therapies such as supplements and alternative treatments to manage the pain in his left knee.
After a neighbour with similar issues shared her success story, he decided to proceed with knee replacement surgery.
“It has been life changing,” Hassan said.
