– An Active Lifestyle Stays Intact for Adults With Early Degenerative Arthritis
Newswise — When medications no longer work to relieve the pain of arthritis, joint replacement becomes a viable option, especially for many of today’s baby boomers and active middle-agers unwilling to trade in physical activity for a sedentary life. These people intend to keep up their physical hobbies whether that be cycling, running, skiing, golf or just casual games of football with their kids and grandchildren.
This is why knee, hip and shoulder replacements are becoming more common for people as young as 40 for whom active lifestyles are being limited by early onset of arthritis symptoms.
“The surgical techniques have improved, and longevity of the implants is now 20 to 25 years. As a result, we’re seeing younger people, in the 40 to 50 age range, turning to joint replacement when their quality of life is compromised,” said Francis Ennis, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut.
“The materials in today’s implants have improved too,” added Greenwich Hospital orthopedic surgeon Brian Kavanagh, MD. “Ball and socket combinations of metal-against-polyethylene plastic are doing better than laboratory predictions,” Kavanagh added.
Computer assisted techniques at Greenwich Hospital allow the surgeon to make very precise cuts in the bone, and this helps to accurately align the replacement components anatomically. “This type of minimally invasive procedure is less disruptive to soft tissues, muscle and tendons around the joint. Most people can walk without a cane in less than two weeks after muscle-sparing knee replacement,” said Kavanagh.
One of the biggest advances in joint replacement over the past year or two is the multimodal approach to pain management that includes a pre-operative “nerve block” or numbing agent to relieve nerve pain. “This tends to reduce the need for narcotic pain medication after surgery, and also diminishes nausea and other side effects caused by some of some pain medications,” explained Ennis.
Arthritis pain occurs when the protective cartilage at the end of the bones wears away, allowing bones to grind against each other. While arthritis is the most common reason for joint replacement, injury and congenital deformities are also causes for younger people. Arthritis is considered the most common cause of disability in the United States, affecting about 1 in every 5 adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The 45-64 age group accounted for more than 40 percent of the more than 906,000 total knee or total hip replacement surgeries in 2009, the last year for which figures were available from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Greenwich Hospital is a certified Center for Joint Replacement through the Joint Commission, recognized throughout the healthcare industry as the leader in monitoring healthcare standards.
Joint Replacement Educational SeminarWednesday, March 2811am-12:30pmGreenwich Library, Cole Auditorium101 West Putnam Ave., Greenwich, Connecticut Speakers: Orthopedic Surgeons Francis Ennis, MD and Brian Kavanagh, MD, Anesthesiologist Mark Chrostowski, MD, Nurse Navigator Tori Kroll, RN, Physical Therapist Deborah O’Donnell, DPT (moderator: Anna Cerra, RN)
Orthopedic experts Dr. Francis Ennis and Dr. Brian Kavanagh will answer many commonly asked questions, including how to know if you need a hip or knee replacement, the best way to prepare for surgery, and what to expect from the recovery and rehabilitation process. The doctors will also discuss innovations in the field of joint replacement and how materials and techniques have improved over the years. Registration is required. To register, call 203-863-4277 or 888-305-9253. FREE.
Can’t make it to the seminar? Watch the webcast live online at www.greenwichhospital.org and at www.onsmd.com after April 11.
About Greenwich HospitalGreenwich Hospital is a 206-bed (includes 32 bassinets) community hospital serving lower Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. It is a major academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine and a member of the Yale New Haven Health System. Since opening in 1903, Greenwich Hospital has evolved into a progressive medical center and teaching institution representing all medical specialties and offering a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and wellness programs. Greenwich Hospital is a certified Center for Joint Replacement through the Joint Commission, recognized throughout the healthcare industry as the leader in monitoring healthcare standards.
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