Joint Health: Avoiding Joint Replacement Surgery

Have you ever experienced so much pain and stiffness that you have trouble with your mobility? Well, that could be due to your joints wearing down. Joints can be damaged by arthritis, degenerative conditions, or injuries. Arthritis or simply years of use may cause a lot of wear and tear on your joints, leading to a lifetime of pain, stiffness, and swelling. Bones are alive, and they need blood to be healthy, grow, and repair themselves. Diseases and damage inside a joint can limit blood flow, causing multiple problems, and if not treated properly, surgery may be required.

Joint replacement surgery has progressed leaps and bounds in the last couple of decades and is regarded as the most successful surgery in the field of Orthopedics. There are millions of people around the world who suffer from crippling joint disorders and pain. This form of treatment has come as a savior for such patients, as constantly evolving surgical and technological advancements have made it possible to restore painless movement to the affected joint so that the individual can return to a normal life after surgery.

Here’s the good news: You may be able to avoid joint replacement surgery by taking care of yourself and your joints as you get older. Here are some tips:

1. Lose Weight – Think about the added pressure that being overweight can put on bones and joints.
2. Physical Therapy – Helps to work through and around injuries, along with strengthening supportive muscles and tendons.
3. Use protective devices – Sometimes we just need a little support. Easy to wear braces can be fitted and worn on the ankle, wrist, knees, back, elbow, and even the shoulder.
4. Try Anti-inflammatories – Not only does inflammation hurt, it also reduces mobility and increases the chance of injury. Taking the right dosage of anti-inflammatories can be an important step towards reducing joint pain.
5. Eat a nutritious diet – similarly, there are many foods that have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Try eating a steady diet of green leafy vegetables, salmon and other healthy seafood, berries, almonds and walnuts…and more. A healthy diet along with staying properly hydrated can go a long way!

If you’re living with chronic joint pain, it may be time to take a closer look at your symptoms and explore treatment options. Call Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland at (410) 644-1880 to request an appointment.