As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, including degenerative processes in our joints. This, in turn, can lead to conditions like arthritis, especially in the hips and knees. Aging gracefully isn’t just about keeping yourself physically active; it’s also about taking care of your joints and ensuring they remain healthy throughout your life.
Let’s talk about orthopedic surgery options to address arthritis and improve your mobility, allowing you to age gracefully and comfortably.
Battling Arthritis: A Common Age-Related Condition
As we age, the wear and tear on our joints can lead to arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. Arthritis in the hip and knee is especially common, with the condition affecting millions of aging individuals worldwide.
One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis, the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage acts as a cushion between bones; without it, the bones rub against each other, causing pain, inflammation, and limiting mobility.
Joint Replacement Solutions: Modern and Minimally Invasive Options
When conservative treatments like medications and physical therapies fail to relieve your arthritis pain or when your symptoms worsen despite treatment, it might be time to consider joint replacement surgery.
Orthopedic surgeons can now perform various minimally invasive surgeries to replace damaged joints with artificial components, helping you regain your mobility and live a pain-free life.
Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement
In a minimally invasive total knee replacement, an orthopedic surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replaces them with artificial components to create a new, pain-free joint.
The procedure is performed through smaller incisions and features reduced muscle and tissue damage, which can lead to a faster recovery and less postoperative pain than traditional knee replacement surgery.
Minimally Invasive Partial Knee Replacement
For patients with knee arthritis limited to one part of the knee, minimally invasive partial knee replacement surgery may be an option. This procedure involves replacing only the damaged part of the knee joint, preserving the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding the damaged area. This approach can result in a smaller incision, faster recovery time, and a more natural-feeling knee after surgery.
Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement
Hip arthritis can cause a great deal of pain and disrupt your ability to carry out even simple day-to-day activities. In a minimally invasive total hip replacement, an orthopedic surgeon replaces the damaged hip joint with an artificial one, helping you regain your range of motion and alleviate pain. This procedure typically involves smaller incisions and less damage to surrounding muscles and tissues, leading to faster recovery and less postoperative pain.
Advanced Technologies: MAKOplasty Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement
Orthopedic surgery has come a long way in recent years, with the development of advanced technologies like the MAKOplastyrobotic-assisted joint replacement system. This innovative approach allows orthopedic surgeons to perform precise, customized joint replacement surgeries that can lead to better patientoutcomes.
With the MAKOplasty system, a surgeon can create a 3D model of your joint and develop a personalized surgical plan to address your unique anatomy and arthritis symptoms. The robotic arm assists the surgeon during the procedure, ensuring precise placement of the joint components and more accurate bone cuts. This cutting-edge technology can result in less tissue damage, faster recovery time, and improved joint function compared to traditional joint replacement surgery.
Maintaining Joint Health: Exercise and Physical Therapy
While joint replacement surgeries can significantly improve your mobility and quality of life, maintaining your joint health is equally important. Incorporating a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and physical therapy into your routine and maintaining a healthy weight can help keep your joints healthy, reduce arthritis symptoms, and prevent further degeneration.
Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, and walking can improve joint flexibility and strength without putting excessive strain on your joints. Physical therapy can also help you learn proper techniques for performing daily activities that reduce stress on your joints.
With modern technologies and minimally invasive procedures available, there are a range of options that can improve your mobility and overall well-being and help youage gracefully and comfortably.
Orthopedic Expert in Raleigh, Durham, and Apex, NC
If you are experiencing mobility problems, visit board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brett J. Gilbert for expert orthopedic care. Dr Gilbert has experience and expertise in many orthopedic treatment options and surgeries and specializes in treating arthritis in the hip and knee, minimally invasive joint replacement surgeries, and MAKOplasty robotic-assisted joint replacements.
Don’t let mobility issues hold you back; get the compassionate, high-quality care you deserve by calling our office at (919) 788-8797. You can also request your visit using our appointment request form, or you can self-schedule your appointment here.
