Joints form the connections between the bones. They provide support and help you move. Over time, the joints can become damaged from age, injury, or disease. This can interfere with your movement and cause pain, from mild to severe, making it impossible to use those joints.
Often times doctors will see seniors for hip and knee pain coming from the joints. Usual symptoms will be stiffness, loss of motion, an increase in weight, loss of muscle strength and stamina, and ceasing to do the things you enjoy in your day-to-day life because of the pain. “Seniors that walk in our door typically state that they have put on weight; ‘I don’t want to do this because it hurts; ‘I don’t want to go shopping;’ or whatever it is they like to do,” said Dr. Joseph J. Iero of St. Joseph Orthopaedic Associates.
Everyone can experience a little joint pain every now and then, but if you’re 60 to 80 years old and have a constant stabbing pain and/or swelling that affects your daily routine, you need to see a doctor. If you have had a previous injury or surgery, you are more likely to have joint pain than others. The doctor will be able to diagnosis you, identifying the correct joint that is causing the pain, and suggest the best option for you.
“We always go with the least invasive treatment first, which is a good exercise program focusing on joint range of motion, muscle strength, and non-impact exercises such as biking, swimming, etc…” Dr. Iero said. “Using braces is another option, but they tend to have better results in men than women. There are also several types of injections that you can try. If this doesn’t work, then we start talking about surgery and if a partial or entire joint replacement is needed.”
While you are recovering, the goal is to learn good habits, get in a nice exercise program, and continue this for the rest of your life. This will always benefit you, because your muscles will be stronger and more flexible. If the non-invasive treatments are working, you can expect a recovery time of four to six weeks, then continuing on your own with what you have learned. If you need surgery, expect the recovery time to be much longer. The first six weeks will be difficult, but then you will start to turn a corner to where you are happier, not so swollen from the surgery, taking less pain medication, and doing your daily activities. After six months to a year, you will be feeling much better and will achieve your full potential from joint replacement.
“We understand every patient is different, so it isn’t cookie-cutter medicine. Each individual has different needs, and we try to understand what those needs are and tailor a program for them. We are respectful of each patient’s needs and wants, and try to only use surgery as a last resort,” Dr. Iero said. “St. Joseph Joint University has good nurses, doctors, and therapists with very high success rates from having perfomed over 3,500 joint replacements. Together our team will help alleviate your joint pain.”
St. Joseph Orthopaedic Associates are helpful, friendly and attentive to the need of every patient each step of the way from planning, surgery, healing, and rehabilitation. You can find St. Joseph Orthopaedic Associates at 2803 Earl Rudder Fwy., Suite 103 in College Station. For more information call 979.731.8888 or visit www.st-joseph.org/orthopedics.
by Ariel Rosentswieg