By Dr. Bhushan Shitole, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Vencer Hospital, Pune

Pune has always had a strong sporting culture, but in recent years, the city’s relationship with physical activity has changed visibly. Sport is no longer limited to trained athletes or structured clubs. It now lives in weekend cricket groups, badminton leagues, football turfs, cycling communities, gym challenges, running events, and fitness-driven social circles. That is a positive shift. But it has also created a medical reality we need to talk about more seriously.

Many people are becoming active faster than they are becoming physically prepared.

This is where sports medicine enters the conversation. Unfortunately, many still think sports medicine is only for elite athletes or people playing at a professional level. That is far from the truth. Today, the need for sports injury management is rising among everyday working adults, students, fitness enthusiasts, and even middle-aged individuals who are trying to become healthier but do not always understand how to condition the body correctly.

In Pune, especially, this becomes even more relevant during the summer months. As temperatures rise, so do the risks linked to dehydration, poor recovery, muscle fatigue, and reduced physical efficiency. People often head out for a run, a cricket match, or a high-intensity workout without respecting the effect heat has on the body. Muscles tire faster, balance changes, and concentration drops, and once that happens, the risk of strain, sprain, or overuse injury rises sharply.

What we now commonly see is not only one major traumatic injury. Very often, the real problem is repetitive stress. A person who sits for long hours through the week suddenly plays an intense match on the weekend. Someone with poor core strength signs up for a run without progressive training. A gym user lifts with enthusiasm but without form, mobility or recovery. The body may tolerate this for some time, but eventually it starts sending signals in the form of knee pain, shoulder stiffness, ankle instability, back strain or recurrent swelling.

These are not small signs to be ignored. They are early warnings.

The value of a sports medicine specialist in Pune lies in identifying not just the site of pain, but the reason behind it. Is the problem coming from weak muscles, poor biomechanics, inadequate warm-up, overload, or an untreated structural issue? Unless this is understood properly, many people keep treating symptoms while the actual cause continues to worsen.

At times, when there is persistent locking of the knee, ligament injury, meniscal damage, or recurrent joint instability, further intervention may be required. In such cases, the role of an arthroscopy surgeon in Pune becomes important. Arthroscopy can help diagnose and treat select joint conditions with precision, while allowing a more focused path toward recovery. But even then, no treatment is complete without guided rehabilitation, strength rebuilding, and a carefully planned return to activity.

“People should not wait for a severe injury before taking orthopaedic advice. In many cases, early intervention, correct diagnosis, and structured rehabilitation can prevent long-term damage and help patients return to sport safely and confidently,” says Dr. Bhushan Shitole, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Vencer Hospital, Pune.

Pune should absolutely continue to play more, move more, and live more actively. But the city also needs to build a deeper understanding of how to move intelligently. Fitness is not just about motivation. It is about preparation, discipline, recovery, and respect for the body.

That is why sports medicine is no longer a niche field. In a city like Pune, it is becoming a necessary part of modern healthcare.

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PUNE: KEM Hospital, Pune, successfully conducted the third edition of the National Conference on Fetal Medicine, bringing together leading experts to discuss advancements in prenatal diagnostics, fetal therapy, and the growing importance of fetal medicine as a specialized branch.

Experts at the conference highlighted that early intervention plays a vital role in improving outcomes for both mother and baby. Conditions such as fetal growth restriction, congenital anomalies, genetic disorders, and placental insufficiencies can often be identified early, facilitating multidisciplinary planning, targeted treatment, and—in certain cases—life-saving fetal procedures before birth. The National level conference saw presentations and guidance from various renowned experts, including Dr. Manikandan Krishnan, a renowned consultant in fetal medicine, Prof. Suresh Seshadri, Director of MediScan Systems Diagnostic Ultrasound, Fetal Medicine and Training Centre in Chennai, Dr.Sudarshan S., a renowned fetal medicine expert, and  Dr.Shreepad Karhade, HoD Fetal Medicine Department at KEM Hospital. The participants included gynaecologists, radiologists, and fetal medicine experts.

This conference was organised as part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to continuous medical education, complementing its strong focus on clinical excellence and research.

Fetal medicine is rapidly emerging as a critical field in modern healthcare, focusing on the early identification, monitoring, and management of conditions affecting the unborn baby. With advancements in ultrasound technology and fetal imaging, clinicians can detect developmental anomalies as early as the first trimester. This early diagnosis allows timely interventions, informed decision-making, and better preparedness for high-risk pregnancies.

KEM Hospital’s Department of Fetal Medicine has been a pioneer in providing comprehensive prenatal services in the region. The hospital offers advanced ultrasound evaluations, fetal echocardiography, growth and Doppler studies, genetic counselling, and coordinated care for high-risk pregnancies. Its multidisciplinary team—including maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, geneticists, and obstetricians—ensures accurate diagnosis, compassionate counselling, and seamless care from pregnancy through delivery.

Dr. Manikandan Krishnan, a renowned fetal medicine expert, said that fetal medicine has four pillars – prevention, detection of abnormalities, treatment, and support through making the couple get answers as they are overwhelmed with a lot of questions in their mind.

The challenge is that a vast majority of people, because of a lack of awareness, come much later in the pregnancy, said Dr.Sudarshan S. fetal medicine expert based out of Chennai. We need to create awareness that they should come before they plan a pregnancy, where genetic counselling will also come into the picture. Speaking about the future of fetal medicine, he said that the research is going on multiple levels. We are doing a lot of research in AI to see how machine learning algorithms can be set up to read all the pictures and whether these algorithms can be incorporated in the ultrasound machines so that primary care level persons can also see any red flags and refer them further to the specialist. Advancements in research are also happening in abnormalities and genetic problems.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Xerxes Coyaji, Medical Director, KEM Hospital, Pune, said, “Fetal Medicine is transforming the landscape of prenatal care. Early and accurate diagnosis empowers families and clinicians alike, enabling timely interventions that can significantly improve perinatal outcomes. At KEM Hospital, our commitment is to ensure that every expectant mother has access to high-quality, evidence-based fetal care.”

Fetal Medicine Consultants Dr. Shreepad Karhade and Dr. Shweta Gugale emphasized that parents and the public need to be aware that certain conditions identified during fetal life can be treated while the baby is still in the mother’s womb. These treatment options are highly complex and require an advanced level of expertise, involving extensive training, close mentoring, and a highly skilled team of multidisciplinary subspecialists. “The right patient receiving the right treatment at the right time from the right team ensures the best outcome for the unborn child,” they noted.

The event was led by Organising Chairperson Dr. Vivek Joshi, with Organising Secretaries Dr. Shreepad Karhade and Dr. Shweta Gugale, supported by an experienced scientific committee. The conference underscored KEM Hospital’s commitment to expanding fetal medicine awareness and strengthening access to advanced prenatal care for families across

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To treat shoulder injuries arthroscopic surgery has emerged as one of the best treatment options. This minimally invasive procedure, commonly referred to as keyhole surgery, proves beneficial in addressing various disorders, including both sports injuries and age-related shoulder issues.

Explaining this treatment option, Dr. Vinay Gautam, Consultant Orthopedics, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi said, “Arthroscopic surgery has shown great success in treating shoulder injuries. This technology not only ensures accurate diagnosis but also allows for targeted and effective therapy, which reduces tissue damage and speeds up healing. Arthroscopic surgery addresses a wide spectrum of injuries, differentiating between sports-related concerns and common shoulder problems. Specific examples, such as ACL ligament reconstruction for knee injuries, shoulder dislocation, and rotator cuff reconstruction for shoulder pain, demonstrate the versatility and efficacy of arthroscopic procedures.”

According to recent statistics from the Journal of Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine, arthroscopic knee and shoulder treatments are becoming more common. Age is one of the most important factors in determining the nature of knee and shoulder issues. This includes sports injuries like ACL tears and dislocated shoulders, as well as age-related conditions such as shoulder discomfort and rotator cuff tears. While joint replacement surgeries are still common, the scarcity of skilled arthroscopic surgeons for knee and shoulder procedures is noteworthy.

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MUMBAI: Building on its international presence in the oncology space, Venus Remedies, a global leader in pharmaceutical innovation, has secured marketing authorization for docetaxel from Israel and cytarabine from Colombia.

While docetaxel, an antineoplastic agent, is beneficial in the treatment of breast, prostate, head, neck, and non-small cell lung cancer, cytarabine is useful in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Israel’s pharmaceutical market, valued at about $5 billion, is projected to grow at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% up to 2026. Israel has a dynamic pharmaceutical expanse known for its innovation and commitment to healthcare excellence. The marketing
authorization for cytarabine from Colombia, on the other hand, marks a significant expansion of Venus Remedies in the Latin American market. Colombia, the third-largest pharmaceutical market in South America projected to grow at a five-year CAGR of 3.1% up to 2026, has emerged as a vital player in the pharmaceutical industry, exhibiting robust growth and fostering innovation. The Colombian market dominated by oncology drugs has witnessed steady expansion.

Saransh Chaudhary, CEO, of Venus Medicine Research Centre (VMRC), said “These dual milestones reflect VMRC’s unwavering dedication to research and development. “Our team’s relentless pursuit of excellence in pharmaceutical innovation is evident in the approvals for docetaxel and cytarabine. We are excited about the prospect of bringing these advanced therapies to patients in Israel and Colombia, and we remain committed to exploring new frontiers in healthcare that align with our vision of a healthier world”.

Hailing the achievement, Aditi K. Chaudhary, President, International Business, Venus Remedies, said, “These marketing approvals mark a significant stride in our global mission to enhance healthcare accessibility. One of the largest exporters of docetaxel, Venus Remedies is proud to include Israel in the list of countries it supplies docetaxel to, including Malaysia, Namibia, Myanmar, Panama, Indonesia, Iraq, Tanzania, Germany, and Zimbabwe. Likewise, the market reach of Venus Remedies for cytarabine extends to Guinea-Bissau, Jordan, Namibia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Venezuela, besides Colombia.“

Panchkula-based Venus Remedies Ltd (NSE: VENUSREM, BSE: 526953) is among the 10 leading fixed-dosage injectable manufacturers in the world. Having a commercial presence in 70+ countries with a portfolio of 75 products spread over Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Commonwealth States, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean region, the company has nine globally benchmarked facilities in Panchkula, Baddi, and Werne (Germany), apart from 11 overseas marketing offices. Its manufacturing units are certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, and OHSAS. The company has also been approved by European-GMP, WHO-GMP, and Latin American GMP (INVIMA), among others. Ranked 107th in Asia and among the world’s 500 largest pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, Venus Remedies has been granted more than 130 patents worldwide and has more than 125 registered trademarks and 25 copyrights for its innovative research products.

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PUNE: Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases which requires expensive treatment. But in a ray of hope for oral cancer patients, Dr. Vijay Kanuru, a bio-nano scientist with Oncocur, has developed an advanced cost-effective nanomedicine for the treatment of early-stage oral cancer and oral cancer prevention.

The effectiveness of this medicine – ‘BRECAN’, developed using nano curcumin, was documented during the clinical trials and has been featured by a leading medical journal – Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, brought out by the Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

This was revealed by Dr. Vijay Kanuru during a Press Conference held in the city.

Dr. Kanuru is an alumnus of SPPU (Savitribai Phule Pune University) and he did his master’s from here before completing his Ph.D. at Cambridge University, UK. He has also studied at Stanford Medical School, USA.

“India has the highest number of oral cancer cases. Oral cancer accounts for 30 percent of all types of cancer in the country, as 20 people per 1 lakh population are affected by oral cancer. Over five people in India die every hour due to oral cancer and hence my goal was to develop an advanced nanomedicine for the prevention of oral cancer,” Dr. Kanuru said.

“There was no nano formulation developed exclusively for oral cancer,” he emphasized.

According to Dr. Vijay Kanuru, the clinical trials were held on 30 patients, who were having an early stage of oral cancer and the results were extremely positive.

“There was a decrease in size of the lesion, number of lesions, downstaging of the disease, and increase in serum Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels. The patients also experienced pain relief. It also helped in improving quality of life,” Dr. Vijay Kanuru said, adding the patients, on whom the clinical trial was held, were not given any chemo drugs.

He also said BRECAN treats early-stage cancerous lesions without the use of potent steroids which are harmful.

“It can also prevent relapses and reduces the dependency on toxic chemo and painful radiation therapies during and after the cancer treatments. It is also helpful to prevent relapse of cancer,” Dr. Vijay Kanuru added.

He further said there were no side effects of the medicine, which is extremely cost-effective and is priced at Rs 1,500 for 60 capsules.

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