The course aimed to raise awareness of knee health, with doctors saying regular exercise can help save them from long-term pain and improve physical function
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It was a rare and incredible sight at the DP World Kite Beach Fitness Village on Sunday as a special group of people took part in a fitness session this weekend. Over 200 knee surgery warriors joined a dedicated fitness class held at Etisalat By E& Main Stage.
Residents with mobility aids and crutches all came to the Village to shed light on issues they had been dealing with for some time. While some residents were at an advanced stage of knee deterioration, others with a replaced knee participated in the awareness session on maximizing knee health as early as possible.
Emirati Mohammed Ali Abdullah, whose right knee was replaced a few months ago after it began to deteriorate, came to the session with his daughter Mariam. “It was an overwhelming session. My father was very happy to have participated and will continue the exercises taught at the event,” said Mariam, who supported her father while he participated in the exercise.
There are no beaches or gyms near their residence, added Mariam, which makes this event even more special because it “helped [her] father understands and spreads the importance of having strong knees. We are delighted to be part of this noble initiative.”
Fitness session attendees engaged in the Let’s Walk Again initiative, started by Dr. Azam Khan, affectionately known as Dr. Knee to his peers, who currently works as a knee replacement surgeon at Prime Hospital. The initiative aims to raise awareness about knee osteoarthritis, a disease that affects a large part of the population of the United Arab Emirates.
The participants, aged 10 to 80, came together to show their commitment to the cause and to demonstrate the positive role of regular physical activity for osteoarthritis in decreasing pain and improving physical function .
Dr. Knee added that there are several awareness campaigns that cover various diseases and disorders, but little about knee health. “Knee health is something that should be given a lot of importance because [deteriorating knee health] can keep you paralyzed [just] daily tasks. There is a treatment for this – but it should be the last option for any individual.”
“It doesn’t take much effort to take care of your knees,” he added. “Regular exercise can help you save them. This initiative aims to raise awareness not to let the knees deteriorate, cause osteoarthritis or wear and tear on the knee joints.
Another participant, Leonard Eric, a 70-year-old British expat, joined the session with his wife. “I had my knee replaced a few years ago, and it was a really tough time for me. I’m here to raise awareness of the disease and make people understand the importance of preserving their naturally gifted knees,” Eric said.
“It was an instructive session for me as well as for my wife. I invite young people to stay physically active [and] save their knees [before old age]and spread the message of knee health that doesn’t matter in today’s world.”
Dr. Knee raises awareness for knee health worldwide and has performed free surgery for knee osteoarthritis patients in many countries. He also took a patient to Mount Everest Base Camp and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to promote the importance of knee health.
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