Even before the pandemic hit, we were fighting an epidemic of childhood inactivity, which was causing health problems in children. And then came the COVID pandemic and took it up several notches by forcing children to stay indoors without the option of being active. It was harming not only the health of the children but also their brain development and social skills.
Dr. (Major) Harshita Surange, Director, Interventional Pain and Spine Center (IPSC) India and Dr. Sunil Sherawat, Senior Consultant, IPSC India, Sports Injury, Arthroscopy and Joint Replacement Specialist, said, “Adolescent patients regularly suffer from foot pain. and wrist pain according to their routine activities and joints which are used repeatedly.This epidemic has worsened the bone health of the younger generation, which in future will lead to more joint pain and There is a potential for fractures. This can be compensated by vitamin D and calcium exercise. Supplementation.” During childhood and adolescence, much more bone is accumulated than is removed, so bone mass in the skeleton increases in both size and density which may continue to increase until the late 20s. Up to 90 percent of maximum bone mass is achieved by the age of 20 and reaches its peak at about 30 years. Therefore, better bone formation in childhood leads to better bone strength in adulthood. Physical activity especially outdoor sports, vitamin D and a healthy diet rich in calcium and protein are important for good musculoskeletal development during this period. Physical activity is an important factor in maintaining adequate bone mass and a lack of it can lead to reduced bone strength.
How to check baby’s bone health
Dr. C. Jayakumar, Professor and Head, General Pediatrics, Amrita Hospital, Kochi says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the bone health of all children across the world. Almost every child is now stuck indoors and has no way to play outside in parks and open areas as the fear of catching the virus is real. Schools are also not functioning properly due to unforeseen circumstances across the country. And the kids have no chance to play outside or get out in the sun. Therefore, it is now very important that parents check the bone health of their children and ensure that their children get 15-20 minutes of outdoor exercise in the early morning or during sunny hours, as in the country. Happens in some parts. The weather is cold right now. Outdoor exercise can take place on the balcony, garden, or rooftop terrace of your home, where there is enough sunlight. In addition, it is very important to maintain a calcium-rich diet, especially during the growing years. The most important piece of advice for parents is to encourage their children to be active and engage them in physical activities at home during these difficult times, especially to ensure that the children do not take any extra care later in life. Don’t have health problems. ,
How to limit the effects of juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Dr Sridhar Archik, Senior Consultant, Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Global Hospitals shares some lifestyle changes that can help him make his bones stronger again.
Caregivers can help children learn self-care techniques that help limit the effects of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Techniques include:
Exercise regularly: Exercise plays an important role as it promotes both muscle strength and joint flexibility. In addition, swimming is an excellent option as it puts the least amount of stress on the joints.
Applying cold or heat: Stiffness affects many children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, especially in the morning. Some children respond well to cold packs, especially after activity. However, most babies prefer warmth, such as a hot pack or a hot bath or shower, especially in the morning.
Eat on time and eat well: Some children with arthritis feel less hungry. Children may be overweight because of drugs or physical inactivity; A healthy diet can help maintain an appropriate body weight.”
Wrist pain in children and adults
Talking about wrist pain, Dr Anoop Khatri, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Global Hospital, Mumbai, shared that it is prevalent in both children and adults. “Recently, there has been an increase in people seeking counseling for wrist and hand pain. This can partly be attributed to the lockdown and the increase in work from home. During these times, the proper workplace/workspace at home Due to lack of tables, misplacement of desktop or laptop leads to incorrect posture and can cause various musculoskeletal pains.Wrist pain has been one of the major complaints with which young professionals present.
Also, during the lockdown, doing daily household chores like cleaning, washing also increases the chances of getting pain in the wrist or hand. Present with pain, stiffness, swelling or burning, or tingling in the palm or fingers, usually in the wrists, hands and fingers. If this is not taken care of, it can also lead to reduced grip strength.”
Adults and children working on laptops or desktops should avoid the following habits to reduce the chances of hand pain:
• Fast, Continuous, or Long Keying
• Strong keystrokes or exertion
• Long mouse use
• The wrist is bent back (extended) or forward (flexed) for an extended period of time
• Tilt the wrist to the side when using the side keys
• Wrists or palms rest on hard surfaces for long periods of time
• Keyboard and mouse are not positioned correctly
Continuous typing can lead to the development of trigger finger, which is an inflammation of the tendons or muscles of the fingers. Commonly seen in the thumb and forefinger. There is only pain in the beginning, but if this continues there may be difficulty in straightening the fingers or closing the fingers.
Constant pressure on the wrist, keyboard use can put pressure on the nerves in the wrist and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, which consists of tingling, numbness in the fingers, and eventually weakness if left untreated.
For prevention:
a) Take frequent breaks from any continuous posture every 20-30 minutes
b) respect the pain- position or stop the painful activity
c) the wrist as neutral as possible; Safe zone for wrist movement is 15 degrees in all directions
d) Can use a soft silicone gel pad to rest the wrist.
If experiencing any of the above, early counseling can help stop the progression with simple medications or braces or exercise, shares Dr. Khatri.
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