KUALA LUMPUR: Bone health is a crucial aspect of overall health and well-being, yet it is often overlooked. Strong bones support the body, protect vital organs and enable movement.
Many of the crucial functions in our bodies are predetermined by healthy bones.
As we age, our bones naturally become less dense, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal conditions and osteoporosis, a condition characterised by weak and brittle bones that are more prone to fractures.
Silent killer
Consultant orthopaedic, arthritis and sports surgeon at ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital at Jalan Ampang, here, Dr Ruslan Nazaruddin Simanjuntak said even though osteoporosis is a medical condition that is more common in older people, it can also affect people in the younger age groups.
He, however, found it concerning that osteoporosis is still underdiagnosed and undertreated in Malaysia, where an astounding 77 per cent of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis go undiagnosed.
Not only that, osteoporosis prevalence in Malaysia is estimated to be between 15 and 20 per cent, making it one of the major health issues in the country.
“Osteoporosis is dangerous because many don’t realise they have it until they suffer a fracture and go through the necessary treatments,” Dr Ruslan told Bernama, adding that the Hip Replacement Market 2023 report’s prediction of six million hip fractures across Asia by 2050 should serve as a wake-up call to Malaysians.
“In light of such statistics, the government can begin to take steps toward educating the public about osteoporosis. Meanwhile, the general public should be encouraged to have their bone health checked to detect signs of not only osteoporosis but also other conditions such as arthritis.”
Groundbreaking imaging system
Incidentally, ALTY is Malaysia’s first single-speciality hospital specialising in providing focused care for orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions, among others.
The hospital has invested RM15 million out of its total investment of RM200 million in arming the facility with cutting-edge diagnostics technology to ensure patients receive effective and timely treatment.
“We believe that ALTY’s cutting-edge technology will play a pivotal role in preventing and treating bone-related diseases among Malaysians and patients from around the region.
“ALTY’s specialised services are also supported by an experienced team of orthopaedic surgeons who are proficient in a variety of surgical and non-surgical treatments for orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions,” Dr Ruslan explained.
He added that the hospital recently acquired the EOS Advanced Imaging System which can speed up and enhance the process of diagnosing orthopaedic conditions, thus improving treatment outcomes.
According to Dr Ruslan, ALTY is the first hospital in Malaysia to offer the EOS system which, he added, emits much lower radiation compared to other imaging systems.
“The system costs about RM4 million and can take a 3D image of the whole body to help doctors make a more accurate diagnosis and keep a close eye on how the treatment is going. It is also less harmful and invasive for children suffering from spinal deformities like scoliosis that require frequent imaging,” he explained.
The EOS system offers 50 to 85 per cent less radiation than traditional X-ray systems and up to 95 per cent less dose than basic computed tomography (CT) scans, in accordance with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle for minimising a patient’s exposure to radiation.
Medical tourism
Meanwhile, ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital executive director Anwar Anis said with such state-of-the-art technology, the hospital has the potential to attract patients from beyond the Klang Valley and even beyond Malaysia.
“It also helps that Malaysia is a well-positioned healthcare hub for many in the region, especially in the areas of cardiology, orthopaedics and minimally invasive surgery.
“At ALTY, through our international marketing initiatives, we hope to support Malaysia’s position as one of the top hubs in the region for orthopaedic treatment and care.
“ALTY’s advanced treatment methods can help improve outcomes, reduce post-surgical hospitalisation and enhance recovery, and this will certainly attract more patients,” he said, adding that so far the hospital has already served patients from nations such as Indonesia, Australia and Singapore. – BERNAMA
