Orthopaedic Surgeons in Kenya

What is orthopaedics?

This is a medical specialty that deals with correction and treating of injuries or deformities of bones or muscular tissue. This is usually undertaken by an orthopaedic surgeon..

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, orthopaedics is “a branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the skeleton and associated structures (such as tendons, ligaments and nerves.)” These are critical body parts that promotes body movement.

Research shows that previously, the specialty focused on children care who had spine and limb deformities. However, it has gradually moved up the age group to athletes requiring sports medicine and adults in need of orthopaedic therapy from joint diseases such as arthritis or recovering from a broken arm or leg.

Who is an orthopaedic surgeon?

These are specialized doctors focusing on the musculoskeletal system. Although they may be familiar with the general practice of this field, they further specialize in areas such as foot and ankle, shoulder, broken bones, hip replacement, total knee replacement, Arthritis, sports medicine, and trauma. In Kenya, we have a growing number of qualified orthopaedic surgeons.

What are his/her qualifications?

An orthopaedic surgeon must have undergone extensive training in the field and has proven competency in proper diagnosis and treatment of injuries and diseases of musculoskeletal system.

Lets delve closely one doctor’s education experience who has a practice in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Ezekiel Oburu who is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in Kenya has specialized in general orthopaedics including hip, knee, shoulder and foot and ankle surgery. He has extensive experience both locally and abroad and hence applies the latest, cutting-edge techniques in the management of his patients.

He graduated from the University of Nairobi and later obtained a Masters degree in General Surgery from the same institutions. He furthered his training in orthopaedics in West of Scotland where he was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburg in orthopaedics and trauma.

When would you need an orthopaedic surgeon?

Injuries to the joints are common in humans. Back pain, stiff neck pains, sports injuries, arthritis are just some examples of conditions we come across often. Over the recent past due to increased human movement, hospital cases and health visits on different musculoskeletal conditions have gone up. This consequently has an effect on costs in terms of medical and also restriction in work activities. For proper diagnosis and most appropriate treatment, it is advisable to consult an orthopaedic surgeon.

How do you get an injury?

One can experience bone problem due to the low levels of calcium in the body or even wearing out due to age. Moreover, injuries may also be as a result of deformity at birth or accident later in life.

The resultant injury may be quickly detected and dealt with immediately in hospital. However in some cases, it may recur and this may be classified as chronic.

In other cases, conditions may be aggravated during daily routines, and may easily go unnoticed. And these, if not detected and treated on time, may insidiously grow in severity.

Both cases would definitely interfere with the quality of life of the patient by impeding movement and significantly deteriorating the patient’s quality of life. When one has a swelling and pain in their joints, it is advisable to go for a bone check up since they are symptoms of bone complications.

What will orthopaedic surgeons do?

Proper examination of the condition will be undertaken. Treatment may be proffered either without surgery by using medications, exercise and other rehabilitative or alternative therapies. Surgery may be recommended id the patient is unresponsive to prescribed treatments.