Media Release
Dubai, Nov 22 : Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) are the most prominent treatment options for sports injuries, say Doctors at the recently-opened Sports Medicine Department, in Dubai’s Medeor 24x7 Hospital.
“Playing physically intensive sports such as cricket, football and rugby cause a high incidence of muscle and ligament tears, often leading to players retiring early, or undergoing several surgeries followed by physical therapy,” said Dr Anurag Sapolia, Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon at the recent launch of the Sports Medicine Department.
Players from the Pakistan cricket team, including the all-rounder Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riyaz, Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohamed Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, team coach Waqar Younis and bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed inaugurated the department. Also present at the inauguration was Pakistan Consul General Javid Jalil Khattak and Pakistan cricket legend Intikhab Alam. The players discussed various aspects of treatment for sports injuries with the team of experts at the hospital, including Dr Anurag, Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon and Dr Emad Aziz Tawfik, Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon.
Dr Anurag explained that treatment options for sports related injuries included minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP). “We offer the minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery where an arthroscope (an instrument containing a lens and fiber optic lighting system) is inserted through a small incision in the skin. The arthroscope is then attached to tiny camera, which offers a magnified view allowing the surgeon to explore the interior of the joint to diagnose the severity or type of injury.”
“In the alternative to surgery, PRP therapy, a small amount of the patient’s blood is extracted and placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the other components. Then the concentrated platelets are injected at the site of the patient's injury to stimulate tissue recovery,” he continued.
Rehabilitation is another key aspect of treatment. “Strains and ligament tears are the most common injuries players face however there is also the tendency to get hit by the hard, leather ball. Over the years these injuries and general wear and tear of the body adds up and some players have been forced to retire in their prime due to this. Therefore, it is essential those looking to play sport professionally works with a physiotherapy to ensure longitude of their playing career,” said Dr Anurag. “Physiotherapy is recommended post orthopedic surgeries as it will restore optimum mobility, strengthen the weak and disused muscles, make up for functional loss and restore pre surgery movement depending on the severity of the surgery.
Medeor 24x7 Hospital’s Physiotherapy Department is headed by Dr Faisal Hayat Khan, who is no stranger to sports injuries having served as the physiotherapist for the Australian and Pakistani cricket teams.
The new sports department at Medeor 24X7 is equipped to handle all the aspects related to the treatment of sports injuries.“We offer a new concept in healthcare: a multi-specialty family hospital that combines state-of-the-art medical facilities, diagnostic equipment and hand –picked personnel to achieve excellence in healthcare,” said Dr Shamsheer Vayallil – Managing Director, VPS Healthcare.
Dr Shajir Gaffar, CEO – VPS Healthcare for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said it was an honour for the hospital to haveleading Pakistani cricket players showing their support for sports medicine department. “This goes to show that leading sportsmen place their trust in the treatment we offer and the standards of excellence we represent,” he added.
VPS Healthcare has a long standing relationship with the leading cricket playing nations of the world. The Healthcare conglomerate has been the official healthcare partner for ICC tournaments that happen in the UAE since 2008 and provided medical cover for the recently concluded International Premier League too.
The Sports Medicine Department is located on the Mezzanine floor of the Hospital.
About Medeor 24x7 Hospital, Dubai
Medeor 24x7 Hospital, Dubai is VPS Healthcare’s premium 100 bed multispecialty hospital that seeks to provide UAE residents with impeccable services in line with international standards. Conveniently located in the heart of the emirate in Bur Dubai, Medeor 24x7 will provide holistic healthcare services including major specialties such as mother and childcare, urology, gastroenterology, laparoscopic surgery, family medicine, minimally invasive surgeries and cardiology. The hospital’s advanced emergency, pediatrics and gynecology departments will be available round the clock. Medeor is also equipped with a full-fledged diagnostic and imaging facility. Medeor has recruited a team of experts from around the world with extensive experience who are highly regarded in their discipline. The high-profile team of doctors is supported by skilled nurses and technologists.