New innovation: Dr Toh (with bow tie) overseeing a demonstration at the launch of the International Endoscopic Spine Surgery Update 2023 in Kuala Lumpur. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: There is a rising number of young people in the country plagued by back pains, says the Malaysia Society of Endoscopic Spine Surgery (MSESS).
Its president Dr Toh Charng Jeng said the younger generation was affected by bad posture due to their lifestyles, such as sitting long hours at their desk using computers.
“I have been getting younger spine patients in their 20s recently. For the younger generation, bad posture is one of the factors contributing to them experiencing spine problems.
“Another cause could also be prolonged use of devices combined with bad posture while gaming,” he said when met yesterday.
Dr Toh, who is also a consultant neurosurgeon, spine and interventional pain specialist, said preventative measures – such as exercising and correcting their posture – is best for younger patients instead of going for medical procedures.
“At the workplace, there are employers who offer standing tables for their staff members and it is one of the measures to promote good posture because the common misconception is that sitting is good for you,” he added.
Health Ministry medical practice director Dr Mohamed Iqbal Hamzah said the ministry has conducted training at workplaces to promote healthy and good posture practices.
“We have seen a rise in cases among the younger generation in the workplace, so there is ergonomic training to prevent such medical issues,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Toh also advised the public not to take lightly any pain and to seek medical help before it gets worse.
“There is no ‘normal’ pain as it is a signal from the body that something is happening,” he said.
For older patients, Dr Toh urged them not to worry about going under the knife since there have been advances in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.
He said older patients were typically reluctant to undergo surgery and would seek alternative traditional treatments that make their condition worse.
“When older patients are diagnosed with spine issues, they get scared when they are told to undergo surgery.
“We hope to raise awareness that this type of minimally invasive endoscopic spine procedure should no longer intimidate them, as it produces outcomes comparable with traditional open surgery, with less pain and a faster recovery rate,” he added.
