It is the leading cause of disability among U.S. adults over 55, and in many cases leads to total-joint replacements. That is a big decision – sometimes necessary, sometimes premature, says Dr. Victor Romano (www.drvictorromano.com), an orthopedist and author of Finding The Source: Maximizing Your Results – With and Without Orthopaedic Surgery.
“Total-joint replacements are wonderful and can be life-changing, but they also can wear down and become infected,” Romano says. “The best approach for arthritis of the knee, for example, is to wait as long as possible before replacing the knee. There are several steps you can take to deal with arthritis before a surgical option. These measures, some of which you can perform without the aid of a medical professional, often can significantly lessen the pain and improve the quality of life.”
• Wear good shoes with arch supports. With weight bearing and time, the arches in feet tend to fail. “Good shoes with arch supports improve the alignment of the feet and ultimately improve the alignment of the knees,” Romano says. “The feet and ankles act as shock absorbers for the knees.”
• Have a daily exercise and balance program. Studies show that arthritic patients who exercise do much better than those who don’t. Romano recommends at least a 20-minute daily exercise program for all patients with arthritis. “Exercise should include stretching, aerobic activity, and strength training,” he says.
• Use a hinged knee brace, as needed, for support. Wear the smallest brace that makes you the most comfortable. “Do not wear the brace for everyday activities,” Romano says, “but for extra activities such as golfing, shopping or exercise. It unloads the arthritic area and allows you to pursue more pain-free activities, which you may not have been able to do otherwise.”
• Eat nutritious foods; keep your weight under control. Weight loss reduces the stress on your knees and increases mobility. “Why not try an anti-inflammatory diet?” Romano says. “Sugar and processed foods cause inflammation of the arteries as well as inflammation of the joints.”
• Improve your bone health. Improving your bone health with increased calcium intake, daily vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercises can lessen the pain of arthritis. “Should you eventually need a total joint replacement, building up your bone density will improve your chances of having a long-lasting replacement,” Romano says.
“Arthritis is not something that can be removed with surgery or scraped out with a scope,” Romano says. “You must listen to your joints. When you’ve tried all of these non-surgical measures and they don’t seem to work any longer, then surgery may be your best option. If surgery is necessary, rapid and successful recovery is possible by having optimized your physical and nutritional health beforehand.”
About Dr. Victor Romano - Dr. Victor Romano is an orthopedic surgeon in Oak Park, Ill., and the author of Finding The Source: Maximizing Your Results – With and WithoutOrthopaedic Surgery. He is board-certified in orthopedics and sports medicine with over 25 years of experience in the field. He graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and completed medical school at the University of Loyola-Chicago.
