UAE Achieves Annual Milestone With 2,500 Knee And 1,000 Hip Replacements Reported By Emirates Orthopaedic Association

The 13th Emirates Orthopaedic Society Meeting, held alongside the First Gulf Knee Course, continued in Dubai. The event attracted top international surgeons and consultants who discussed recent advancements in joint and fracture surgery, as well as artificial intelligence and robotic-assisted procedures. Participants praised health initiatives led by the UAE's leadership, particularly the "Dubai Mallathon" introduced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Dr. Ali Al Belooshi, Conference Chairman and President of the Emirates Orthopaedic Society, announced a strategic partnership with a global sponsor. This collaboration allows for the immediate adoption of any new product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the UAE. He highlighted that this privilege grants UAE surgeons direct access to cutting-edge technologies, robotic systems, and artificial joints without delay.

Experts at the conference underscored the UAE's position as a leading hub for medical tourism. They noted that global patient confidence in the national healthcare system has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. A growing number of residents, especially Europeans, now prefer undergoing surgeries in the UAE due to high-quality care and advanced medical technologies available.

The "Dubai Mallathon" initiative aims to convert major shopping malls into safe running and walking tracks during summer months. Doctors emphasised that this initiative is crucial for reducing injuries related to physical inactivity and muscle weakness during hot weather. The initiative represents a significant step towards promoting health and wellness among residents.

Dr. Al Belooshi confirmed notable growth in joint replacement surgeries within the UAE. Approximately 2,500 knee replacements and 1,000 hip replacements are performed annually. He attributed this rise to lifestyle changes and specific injury patterns. "In the UAE, we experience an extended, extremely hot summer lasting nearly three months," he explained.

During these months, limited mobility leads to muscle and bone weakness. When September arrives, many people resume sports activities abruptly through intense training sessions with personal trainers. This often results in various injuries due to sudden physical exertion after prolonged inactivity.

The conference highlighted how lifestyle changes contribute significantly to increasing demand for joint surgeries. The nature of certain injuries also plays a major role in this trend across the region.

With inputs from WAM