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Joint replacement surgery, particularly of the knee and hip, is becoming increasingly common in the United States. Almost 5 percent of all Americans over the age of 50 have reportedly undergone total knee replacement with more than 600,000 Americans undergoing knee replacement each year. Hip replacement surgery, which is the second most common joint replacement surgery, is performed on approximately 120,000 people every year in the U.S.

The leading cause of joint replacement is osteoarthritis, which is characterized by the inflammation of certain joints. Osteoarthritis is generally caused by wear and tear or by previous trauma to the affected body part.

When Is the Best Time for Joint Replacement Surgery?

In the past, joint replacement surgery used to be performed for patients with end-stage arthritis only, meaning walking was no longer possible and they were confined to a wheelchair. However, nowadays, much younger and more active patients suffering from chronic pain undergo the procedure, which is one of the main reasons for the spike in its prevalence in recent years.

The ideal time to undergo knee replacement or hip replacement surgery is still somewhat controversial. Undergoing joint replacement too early is not ideal as the artificial joints may wear out after 10 to 20 years, thus requiring a second surgery. On the other hand, waiting until end-stage arthritis or until you cannot handle the pain anymore is also less than ideal as the benefits of the surgery may be limited.

If you wait too long, the cartilage of the knee or hip may be completely worn out as a result of the progressing arthritis, making the operation substantially more complicated. Being wheelchair-bound or limited in your daily activities for extended periods of time can affect the muscles in your legs, making the post-operative physiotherapy and rehabilitation much more challenging. End-stage osteoarthritis also generally occurs in older individuals, and older age is known to be associated with an increased risk of surgical complications and a slower recovery.

When asking yourself whether the time is right for joint replacement, consider the following points:

1. Is there evidence of joint damage upon X-ray imaging?

2. Do you suffer moderate to severe persistent pain that cannot be relieved by other means such as medication, physiotherapy or lifestyle changes?

3. Do you experience significant functional limitation and pain resulting in you having to avoid your regular activities?

If you feel like these apply to you, make an appointment with your doctor or orthopedic surgeon today to discuss whether this is the right time for surgery.

Don’t Wait Too Long for Joint Replacement

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Joint replacement surgery, particularly of the knee and hip, is becoming increasingly common in the United States. Almost 5 percent of all Americans over the age of 50 have reportedly undergone total knee replacement with more than 600,000 Americans undergoing knee replacement each year. Hip replacement surgery, which is the second most common joint replacement surgery, is performed on approximately 120,000 people every year in the U.S.

The leading cause of joint replacement is osteoarthritis, which is characterized by the inflammation of certain joints. Osteoarthritis is generally caused by wear and tear or by previous trauma to the affected body part. (more…)

About Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

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Minimally invasive spinal surgery, or MISS for short, is a surgical method used to treat a variety of spinal disorders. It is characterized not only by the use of a smaller incision than in conventional open spinal surgery, but also by the use of advanced technology and innovative techniques. According to our Florida orthopedic specialists, the main goal of MISS is to minimize muscle and soft tissue damage caused by the surgery while accomplishing results equivalent to those of conventional open spinal surgery.

During MISS, a number of different techniques can be used depending on the condition being treated. In general, a tubular access approach is utilized. By using a tubular retractor, the force on the muscles around the incision is divided more equally than during open surgery, thus creating less localized pressure and reducing the risk of muscle and soft tissue damage. In some cases, MISS may be performed using endoscopy, which involves a tiny video camera guiding the orthopedic surgeon by displaying the internal view on several monitors in real-time, or by fluoroscopy, which is a type of intraoperative real-time X-ray.

MISS can be used to treat a number of different disorders, including degenerative discs, herniated discs, spinal tumors and compression fractures. It commonly involves either decompression, which is used to alleviate the pressure of the spinal cord or nerve roots, or fusion, which is used to stabilize and/or fixate the spine.

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Advice for Parents of Fall Sport Athletes

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With fall quickly approaching, this is the perfect time to get your child or teenager ready for their fall activities. Particularly for older children who may have tryouts coming up soon, it is important to start preparing in order for them to be ready and to reduce the risk of them sustaining various types of sports injuries. In order to help your child get the most of their sports experience, our Florida orthopedic specialists recommend you keep these six things in mind. (more…)

Is It Better To Exercise in the Morning or at Night?

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The benefits of regular exercise include weight control, improved sleep, mood and energy levels, and a reduced risk of numerous diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, certain types of cancer, arthritis and various bone and muscular disorders.

In terms of weight loss, the experts at our Jacksonville clinic have found no solid evidence suggesting that either morning or nighttime exercise is greatly superior for burning calories. However, some studies have found that there may be a difference in terms of the consistency of exercising, which in turn may translate to increased fitness and weight loss.  (more…)

How Obesity in Children Puts Their Muscoloskeletal Systems at Risk

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In the last 30 years, the rate of childhood obesity has more than doubled in the United States, and the number of obese teenagers has increased four-fold! In 2012, roughly 20% of all American children and teenagers aged six to 19 were obese, and over one-third were either overweight or obese. These numbers are startling to say the least, especially considering the numerous and significant adverse effects on health that have been demonstrated to result from obesity, as well as the negative effects obesity can have on a child’s confidence and psychological wellbeing.

In addition to greatly increasing the risks of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain cancers in adulthood, obesity in children has also been demonstrated in a number of scientific studies to put their musculoskeletal system at risk and to increase the risk of orthopedic trauma.

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Symptoms of a Torn ACL

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The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments located in the knee joint, and is responsible for providing stability during walking and other activities. A torn or sprained ACL is a highly common knee injury, which affects more than 200,000 people in the United States each year, out of which approximately half undergo knee surgery. About half of all cases are moreover accompanied by other damages to the structures of the knee.

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