Advances In Prosthetic Limbs Improved Quality Of Life For Amputees In The Middle East

Online, March 3, 2013 (Newswire.com) - When an arm or other extremity is amputated or lost, a prosthetic device, or prosthesis, can play an important role in rehabilitation. An artificial limb can improve mobility and the ability to manage daily activities as well as provide the means to stay independent. Advances in limb salvage techniques now means that amputees in the Middle East have an improved quality of life post-surgery. At this year's International Congress for Joint Reconstruction - Middle East (ICJR-ME), prosthesis will be one of the key topics discussed at the Limb Salvage sessions at the conference.

ICJR-ME will take place from 7-9 March 2013 at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions along with ICJR, an independent, non-profit organization formed to change the status quo of orthopaedic education, are the organiser of this Dubai-based joint reconstruction event. This year's event will host 35 exhibiting companies, more than 60 speakers and an estimated1000 delegates over the course of the 3-day event.

"Limb salvage has become the accepted standard of care for patients with sarcomas of the extremities. Previously in the Middle East, patients would have had to opt for amputations but nowadays their limbs can be saved. The success of limb salvage depends on speedy detection and early referral by the primary care healthcare practitioner, and on a coordinated and carefully thought out sequence of staging, preoperative treatment, limb salvage surgery, and post-salvage support and follow-up by a dedicated team of care givers," says Dr. Ahmed Salama, specialist orthopaedic surgeon at the American Hospital Dubai and speaker at the ICJR-ME conference.

This year's ICJR-ME will feature a special panel discussion on the technology and use of prosthetic limbs. Dr The congress will also feature topics such as shoulder sport injury, shoulder arthroplasty, and knee arthritis.

"The main reasons that lead to limb amputation in the Middle East are traumatic injury, disease, cancer and congenital amputation. A variety of diseases may lead to amputation; Peripheral Artery Disease is the leading causes next to diabetes. In these two scenarios nerves and/or blood vessels in the extremities are affected and lead to an amputation. In the case of congenital amputation, occurring in the womb, the blood flow to a developing limb can be constricted by other bands of tissue which leads to a permanent amputation," highlighted Dr Salama.

Research from the Dubai Chiropody Centre indicates that "25% of the UAE population has diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation. "

According to Dr. Salama, "there are a number of factors involved in choosing prosthesis, and they include the location and level of the amputation, the condition of the remaining limb the patient's activity level, particularly for a prosthetic leg or foot, and the patient's specific goals and needs."

Running alongside the scientific conference programme at ICJR-ME is an exhibition with 35 companies showcasing their latest products and services from the industry including 3D Reconstruction & Ultrasound Systems, Arthroscopy Equipment & Accessories, Bandage & Dressing Instruments, Bone Cement, and Mixing & Delivery Systems. Key exhibitors include Max Medica, Boehringer Ingelheim, Zimmer, Merck Sharp& Dohme, and the American Hospital Dubai.
For more information on ICMR-ME, please call +971 4 407 2743 or visit www.icjr-me.com.