article: Meet Suma, one of Melbourne Zoo's aging orangutans who suffers from arthritis. She was first diagnosed with the condition in 2013 where she was initially given daily medication to help relieve the pain. But on Thursday, amazing photographs were captured of the primate's thorough health examination by surgeons. Although is not unusual for middle-aged orangutans to have arthritis, doctors had to anaesthetise Suma in order to check how her condition has progressed over the past two years. Suma was treated by orthopaedic surgeon and associate professor Marino Pirpiris, who usually treats humans, and senior vet Dr Helen McCracken. X-rays were taken in areas where the orangutan has arthritis, her hips and ankles, as Dr Pirpiris then gave the ape a steroid injection which will reduce her pain for months and perhaps even years. Doctors were also able to give Suma a full check up, including her ears, teeth, and eyes, and also took urine and blood samples. Suma, a 36-year-old orangutan, undergoes a health check-up at Melbourne Zoo to assess the progress of her arthritis . Suma was first diagnosed with the painful condition in 2013 after keepers noticed some stiffness in her movements . X-rays were taken in areas where the orangutan has arthritis which includes her hips (pictured) and ankles . In June she will turn 37 years old, which is late middle age for an orangutan, so arthritis is not unexpected . Initially, keepers helped alleviate the condition by giving Suma daily pain medication . Zoo vets took the opportunity to give Suma a full check-up including her ears, teeth and eyes . Suma is transported to and from the examination room by Melbourne zoo keepers on Thursday . Surgeon Associate Professor Marino Pirpiris, who more typically treats humans, joined senior vet Dr. Helen McCracken to look Suma over . Doctors had to anaesthetise Suma in order to check how her arthritis has progressed since 2013 . Dr Pirpiris also gave the ape a steroid injection which will reduce her pain for months and perhaps even years .
highlights: Suma underwent a thorough health examination on Thursday to monitor the progress of her arthritis .
  Melbourne Zoo's aging orangutan was first diagnosed with the condition in 2013 .
  The 36-year-old orangutan, who turns a year older in June, has arthritis in her hips and ankles .
  Zoo vets took the opportunity to give Suma a full check-up including her ears, teeth and eyes .
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