Patients often want to delay or avoid joint replacement. Many doctors suggest pain relievers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs combined with exercise as an early treatment program. Patient education for improving posture and reducing biomechanical imbalances may be provided by a physical therapist.

Other treatment options can include steroid injections, glucosamine supplements, or bracing. Minor surgery such as arthroscopic debridement may be advised. The surgeon removes any frayed edges or loose fragments of cartilage.

This type of treatment is not routinely advised for all patients but may be most effective for low-grade OA.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Joint replacement is an accepted treatment for arthritis. It has been shown to be safe and effective for the majority of patients. Even so, research shows that only 10 percent of patients with arthritis are willing to do it. The patients had all been evaluated as needing a joint replacement.

There are many reasons why patients hold off on this decision. Some do not have accurate information to rely on. They depend on their friends and peers’ results to make decisions for themselves. They may have been told paralysis is likely or that the pain doesn’t go away with the new implant. These fears keep them from taking advantage of this treatment.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of joint replacement for yourself. Make sure you are a good candidate. Then use accurate medical information to make an informed decision. Don’t rush into it until you are “ready to jump in.”

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

The main goals of treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) are to reduce joint pain and improve (or at least maintain) function. Function includes your daily activities to take care of yourself, mobility, and recreational activities.

Preventing or slowing the progression of changes to the joint tissues can be done with weight loss and exercise. Over-the-counter pain relievers work well for many patients with mild pain.

Some prescription medications may help patients with moderate to severe pain. The goal is to obtain the maximum benefit from the drug with the least amount of side effects or toxicities.

Many studies have shown the benefit of daily, moderate exercise on knee OA. Strengthening, stretching, and walking form the basis for a good, overall exercise program for this condition.

Exercise combined with hyaluronan injections have been shown to provide faster pain relief for patients with moderate to severe pain compared with injections alone.

The more you can do to educate yourself about this condition, the better able you will be to protect your joints and prevent further damage. The Arthritis Foundation offers many ideas for patients with OA and can be accessed at www.arthritis.org.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

The standard opening for hip joint replacement is still between five and 10 inches. Not all surgeons use the mini-incision for this operation. Some patients are too large for the mini-approach.

Sometimes the skin is too tight and a longer incision is needed. In other cases, the surgeon needs to see more of the joint so a bigger opening is needed.

Chances are you got the standard incision if you didn’t ask for a small incision before the operation. If you ever have the other hip replaced, be sure and talk with your surgeon about this option.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Joint fluid therapy sometimes referred to as viscosupplementation or hyaluronan injections is a thick, elastic substance made from hyaluronan. Hyaluronan, also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate (HYL) is found in normal joint fluid.

When injected directly into the knee joint, HYL helps restore the cushioning and lubricating properties of normal joint fluid. Three to five injections are used for knee osteoarthritis in patients who have not respond to more conservative therapy.

A recent study from the New Jersey Medical School suggests that combining HYL with a home exercise program is actually better than just HYL alone. Exercise by itself seems to benefit knee OA. Biochemical changes in the synovial fluid have been reported with exercise alone and with HYL alone.

Combining the two together may help increase the amount of hyaluronan that moves into the cartilage. Exercise seems to have the added benefit of helping expand and cleanse the cartilage to keep it in good condition. All indications are that exercise is very helpful for osteoarthritis and should be continued on a daily basis.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

You should get clearance from your doctor before taking up Tai Chi again. Weight-bearing and standing balance exercises are usually permitted. You can add these activities once the tissues are healed and standing on one leg doesn’t hurt.

This may take about four to six months after the operation. Researchers at the Texas Women’s University report exercises balanced on one leg with slow motion movements like Tai Chi works very well. They advise doing this later in the rehab program for total hip replacements.

Patients report less pain, more motion, and better function after doing this kind of exercise program.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Osteolysis is a term used to describe a problem common to artificial joint replacements. It refers to an active process of bone breaking down and dissolving. Particles called debris wear off the implant. This starts a process of bone degeneration.

As the body tries to clean up the loose particles of plastic or metal, the bone grows away from the implant, causing it to loosen. A second or revision surgery may be needed. The surgeon will remove the damaged implant, smooth the bone, and reinsert another (new) implant.

Osteolysis caused by wear debris occurs for a variety of reasons. Patient activity is probably the most important one. Increased activity puts greater load over time on the joint replacement.

The implant itself is part of the problem. Manufacturers are working to improve implant materials and design. And finally, the surgery is a factor. Balancing the ligaments and restoring normal joint alignment are important in the long-term wear and tear on the joint.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Several studies show problems can continue after a total hip replacement (THR). This is true even when pain is reduced or relieved. The reason for this can be decreased muscle strength or a lack of stability on the side operated on.

Patients report reduced walking speed and difficulty climbing stairs even when there’s no pain. Part of the problem may come from weakness and deconditioning. These were present before the operation. Pain and inactivity result in this weak state.

A recent study at Texas Women’s University in Dallas, Texas, showed that exercise even as late as a year after THR can make a difference. Check with your doctor about getting back into a rehab program.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Your surgeon has probably explained the pros and cons of either waiting or taking action now. If you have not had this discussion, it would be a good idea to contact him or her by phone to review your options.

There is no clear way to know what is best. Each patient must be considered individually. Studies have not been done to show the optimal time for revision surgery once there are signs of bone changes or implant loosening.

In general, some surgeons advise a wait-and-see approach when patients do not have painful symptoms and the process is slowly progressing. Eventually the problem will probably get worse and revision surgery will be required. In such cases, the patient should stay in close contact with the surgeon to determine the best time for the operation.

On the other hand, surgery is recommended right away for patients who do have painful symptoms and/or when the X-ray shows rapid bone changes. Any time bone support is eroding, instability can occur making matters even worse. Removing and replacing the failed implant can help restore function and prevent further joint damage.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Your mother’s orthopedic surgeon will help you with this decision. It depends on the type of fracture and condition of the bone. Some areas of the bone have less blood supply and won’t heal easily. Thin or osteoporotic bone may not heal either. A pin or plate to hold the bone until the fracture heals may not work.

An X-ray will show the doctor if the hip joint is stable. The key is to see if the head of the femur (thigh bone) is secure inside the hip socket. If it isn’t, then the joint is considered unstable. There’s a much greater chance for a poor result pinning an unstable joint. In such cases hip joint replacement is needed.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.