HEALTH

Painless spine surgery becoming popular
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 12
The pain and long hospital stay for undergoing a spine surgery may soon be a thing of past. With the latest technique of endoscopic disc surgery for spine becoming popular, people suffering from the pain of the back and leg can now be on their feet the same day after their surgery.

“Though only 8 per cent of the persons suffering from back and leg pain require surgery, but due to the surgery with the conventional method being long, the normal tendency was to avoid it as long as possible,” explained Dr Satishchandra Gore, a leading orthopaedic surgeon from Pune.

Dr Gore, who has been a pioneer in endoscopic disc surgery in India, says the simple procedure, requiring a few hours hospital stay — along with high precision and success rate — had encouraged a lot of people who earlier feared surgery to go in for a permanent cure for their spine problem. The facility is available only at a handful of institutes, as the equipment required for this procedure is very expensive.

“Another advantage of this procedure is that the cut is barely 7 mm and with the surgery being done under local anaesthesia, the patient can go home the same day”, he added.

Explaining the reason for the lower back and leg pain, he said it mainly happened due to a ruptured disc in the spine. “Disc is like a strong shock absorber, which acts like a spring but with age, it might get ruptured, leading to leakage of the fluid, causing pain”, he explained.

Dr Gore said 33 per cent of the population suffers from back or leg pain after the age of 45.

SPORTS

4-member panel okays Sector 42 Astro Turf
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, April 12
A four-member joint inspection team deputed by the Government of India today okayed the newly laid Astro Turf in the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium. The team comprising chief coach of the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Mr Harneek Singh, Ms Dev Preet K Singh (Delhi), Dr Setua (Kanpur) and Mr Kuku Walia (IHF) today had a feel of the turf. The visit was earlier scheduled for March 29.

The UT Sports Department had laid the turf only a few months back with financial assistance from the Government of India and it was obligatory on the part of the Union Ministry to do the final inspection. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) had already given its approval to the turf.

The above team also had an interaction with Mr Maharaj Kaushik, chief coach of the national women hockey camp being held on the same turf and the team players. The team was briefed on the various plans to make use of the turf by Dr J.P.S. Sidhu, Joint Director Sports, UT. The officials of the UT Engineering Department were also present on the occasion.

Annual sports meet

Jaspinder Kaur and Satinder Pal Singh were declared best athletes among girls and boys sections, respectively, in the annual sports meet of the International Divine Institute of Business Management and Information Technology, Ratwara Sahib, near here today. The meet was sponsored by the Atam Marg Association, UK. The trustees of the association, Mr Makhan Singh and Mr Arvind Takkar, gave away the prizes to the winners. All students and the staff members of the institute took part in the meet.

Results:100 metres (boys) — Satinder Pal Singh1, Pritpal 2; girls: Jaspinder Kaur; shot put: (Boys): Arshanjeet, girls: Sukhdeep Kaur; long jump (boys): Satinder Pal Singh; badminton (girls): Gagandeep 1, Jatinder 2; and boys: Maninder 1, Harjeet 2.

Chess meet from April 17

The Chandigarh Chess Association will hold the state sub-junior boys and girls under-15 chess tournament on April 17 and 18 at the St Xavier’s School, Sector 44. As per press statement of the association, a team of two from each category will be selected on the basis of players performance in the above event for the national meet to be held in Calicut in May. Interested participants may send their entries by April 16.

Taekwondo meet from May 1

The VII Punjab State Taekwondo Championship will be held in the Indoor Hall of the Shivalik Public School, Phase VI, Mohali, on May 1 and 2. According to Mr Harinder Pal Singh, president of the District Roopnagar Taekwondo Association, the selected players will take part in the forthcoming National Taekwondo Championship to be held in New Delhi next month.