The Hidden Dangers of Outdated Medical Practices: Insights from Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Tupakula

We live in a world where technology has advanced immensely—rovers are on Mars, humans have walked on the Moon, and smartphones with 5G and AI are in our hands. Yet, when it comes to healthcare, outdated and primitive practices still harm our most valuable asset: the human body. For the past 14 years, I’ve worked to raise awareness about the importance of modern, evidence-based medical treatments. 

But recently, the number of patients suffering from complications due to outdated methods has made this mission more urgent. In areas around Tirupati, like Puttur/Eslapuram and Kallur, we see many victims of these outdated treatments. The issue affects everyone, regardless of education or social status. Many people avoid surgery out of fear or cost concerns, while others trust ancient methods like Shalya medicine. What they don’t realize is that these practices often cause more harm than good. One of the biggest misconceptions is that all fractures should be treated the same way. I’ve seen patients with minor injuries treated with outdated methods like chicken wire or makeshift bandages. These methods are not just ineffective—they also undermine the expertise of modern orthopedic care.  I’ve witnessed the consequences of this firsthand. Bones heal in misaligned ways, and patients suffer nerve and blood supply damage from improperly applied implants.  By the time these patients seek treatment, it’s often too late for a simple fix. Some argue that surgery is too expensive, but free treatment is available at local hospitals or at Tirupati Ruya hospitals.  The real cost is the long-term damage caused by avoiding proper care. Attempting to fix complications with outdated methods only makes things worse. In some cases, what could have been a minor procedure turns into a complex surgery with poor results.

As a doctor, it’s frustrating to see patients suffer from preventable complications. But my mission remains to educate people and help them avoid these outdated practices in the future.