Indian foot and ankle scenario

Foot Ankle Spec. 2011 Dec;4(6):390-5. doi: 10.1177/1938640011428788.

Abstract

Huge population of aggressively developing country like India is catered by more than 20,000 orthopedic surgeons but with very few dedicated foot & ankle surgeons. This area of orthopedics has not yet established its place as a specialty of medicine. Most of newer treatment concepts & methodologies are yet to establish its place in India in spite of huge suffering population. Challenges are late presentations, delayed diagnosis, neglected cases, malunions, complex deformities & diabetic foot issues. Commonly seen forefoot, midfoot & hindfoot problems in India & their routine care is discussed. Article also addresses very tough but interesting journey of first foot & ankle surgeon of India & story of rise & fall of first Indian foot & ankle centre of excellence. Contribution in form of educational efforts & deep market penetration is deemed from west to uplift Indian foot & ankle scenario which is summed up as: lack of awareness, opportunity and negligence.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Clinical Competence
  • Developing Countries
  • Diabetic Foot / therapy
  • Foot Deformities / epidemiology*
  • Foot Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • India
  • Orthopedics* / education
  • Physicians*