Knee Osteoarthritis and Surgical Interventions Consideration in ageing

·21 min·2 clips

Associate Professor Samir Viswanathan reveals his journey from foot and ankle to 60% hip and knee practice.

This episode features Associate Professor Samir Viswanathan, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip, knee, and foot/ankle procedures. Host Sam introduces Viswanathan, who outlines a talk on knee osteoarthritis management for primary care practitioners. The discussion systematically covers risk factors, diagnostic imaging, referral timing, and non-surgical treatments. Viswanathan defines knee osteoarthritis as a degenerative disease breaking down knee cartilage and underlying bone. He cites a significant disease burden, noting 32 million affected adults in the United States and 2.1 million in Australia. The condition is more prevalent in females than males, with projections indicating a 58% increase by 2030. His clinical practice has evolved to be 60% focused on hip and knee arthroplasty. The talk revisits foundational knowledge, acknowledging the topic's prior coverage in the series. The scale of the condition, affecting tens of millions, underscores its public health importance. The projected 58% rise, particularly among women, highlights a growing future healthcare challenge. Viswanathan's shift from a foot and ankle focus to predominantly hip and knee work reflects common patient demand patterns. His dual public hospital and academic roles provide a perspective grounded in both service delivery and education. The tone is educational and professional, structured as a formal lecture for clinicians. The style is direct and factual, prioritizing clear information delivery over casual conversation. Primary care doctors, physiotherapists, and medical students seeking a structured update on knee osteoarthritis fundamentals would find this valuable. Listeners desiring advanced surgical techniques or patient narratives might find the scope too basic.

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