Dr. Arihisa Fujimaki, 67, is the director of Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) Hospital in Tokyo. An expert in reconstructive microsurgery, this orthopedic surgeon regularly performs operations to re-attach fingers, toes, hands and the occasional foot. Fujimaki is a hero to many, from construction workers who get nails stuck in their hands to ramen shop owners who slice off their fingers. On a typical morning, Fujimaki sees more than 80 elderly patients, who visit him for injections to help heal their aching knees and backs. Conversation is a large part of treatment as many of his patients live alone, and to them Dr. Fujimaki is like the son they always wanted to have — even if it's just for a few minutes every other day.
Old age doesn't have to stink, especially if you can hold your nose! Every day we have the chance to make old age better for us. Exercise is key, but so is nutrition. Hip fractures are a lot less common in the Kanto and Tohoku areas than in Kansai, the western part of Japan. The reason is that more people in Kanto eat natto (fermented soybeans). Natto contains lots of Vitamin K, which helps make bones stronger and prevents osteoporosis.
Neighborhood hospitals are social clubs. We operate like a community center for the neighborhood elderly, who stop by daily to chat with their friends and to do some exercises in our rehabilitation rooms.
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