The decision to have a knee replacement is not easy. There are a few factors that you and your orthopaedic surgeon in Boca Raton need to take into consideration. If your doctor recommended you undergo the procedure and you are still waiting to pull the trigger, here are a couple of things that will allow you to make an informed decision.

What are some of the indicators for a knee replacement?

• The pain makes it impossible for you to sleep or perform normal, everyday activities
• You suffer from arthritis of the knee
• Your knee is significantly damaged (e.g., due to injury)
• Other treatments have proven ineffective

What does the procedure look like?

During the procedure, you’ll be given an anesthetic, which can be either local (in the joint), regional (from the waist down) or general (that will make you sleep through the surgery). Then a small cut or incision is made in the knee and the knee itself is pumped with salt water (saline) to make it expand and make it easier for the surgeon to carry on with the procedure. A small camera – “an arthroscope” – is inserted through the small incision in the knee joint. Our orthopaedic surgeon in Boca Raton can then investigate the source of the knee pain by looking at the inside of the knee, which is displayed on a screen. What’s more important, with the use of small instruments within the arthroscope, the doctor is also able to take care of some of the knee issues (for instance, clean up or repair the ligaments of the joint) right away, during the same procedure. The procedure itself has proven to be almost risk-free and is beneficial to a large majority of the patients.

How long does it usually take to recover after the knee replacement?

The knee arthroscopy takes about an hour or two and it isn’t very invasive. The post-surgery period is crucial in terms of getting back into shape as soon as possible. You will most likely be asked to come see your orthopaedic surgeon for a follow-up visit during which you will be given a set of rehabilitation exercises to do at home in order to help your knee recover.

Orthopedics Palm Beach County - About Orthopaedic Surgery Associates

If you are suffering from knee pain, you should consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon. Together, you can decide upon the best treatment options for your specific condition. Only after a careful examination will your orthopedic surgeon be able to determine whether you are a good candidate for arthroscopic surgery. And if in fact a surgery is needed, do not worry – this one procedure has proven to be one of the most effective treatments out there: almost risk-free and largely beneficial to most patients. If you’d like to find out more about arthroscopy or orthopedic surgeons in Boca Raton or Boynton Beach, contact us today and see how we can help you!

Keeping your joints in good shape should be one of your health priorities. Why? Many reasons, really. It is thanks to your joints that you can live your life the way you do. Walking, running, driving, gardening - you name it: Every activity is directly connected with your joints. Unfortunately, this is also the reason that they tend to deteriorate over time. Because we rely so much on our knees (literally, all of our body weight rests on them!), but also our elbows, wrists, etc., we need to take extra care of them. Most people, however, don’t think about their joints until they start causing problems.

The truth of the matter is, many health conditions connected to your joints can be avoided. Yes, some conditions, such as arthritis or osteoarthritis, can be caused by factors we don’t have any influence over, e.g., genetics or inborn susceptibility, but in many cases, the reason our joints start to hurt is because we don’t take good enough care of them. In this article, we will discuss just a few things we do that influence our joints in an unhealthy way. If you’re guilty of any of them, don’t worry - we will also give you ready-made solutions to replace bad habits with good ones.

Staying in the same position all the time

There’s nothing worse for your overall health than staying in the same position for a long period of time. According to our orthopedic doctor in Boca Raton, people who spend hours sitting at their desks are much more prone to joint-related conditions. Sitting puts your joints in a compromised position; with time, it can lead to chronic pain in your neck, hips, or knees, as well as other health problems. Why? Staying in the same position for a few hours can cause cartilage tissue damage. As a result, your joints are no longer protected by this rubber-like padding that covers the joints, making them run smoothly. How can you prevent this from happening? We understand that a modern lifestyle usually involves a lot of sitting at desks. What you can do is take regular breaks to move around a bit: Go outside for a quick walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or simply stretch next to your desk. This will definitely help keep your joints in good condition.

Bad diet

People often don’t realize that a bad diet doesn’t affect only their appearance. Patients who visit our orthopedic center in Boca Raton don’t necessarily associate the way they eat with their joint problems. But there definitely is a correlation. The food we eat can affect our joints in at least two ways. First, a bad diet causes weight gain, and every additional pound is an additional burden on the joints. Second, there are certain food products that can cause inflammation in the body and, therefore, contribute to developing osteoarthritis. These include (but are not limited to) dairy products, processed foods, refined carbs, and sugar. If you want to keep your joints healthy and pain-free, stay away from these, or if that’s not possible, at least limit the amount you consume. If you lack motivation, remember that it’s your health that’s at stake.

Neglect

Yes, this one’s a very general statement, but the truth is, neglect is what causes most health issues, including those related to your joints. Neglecting to use proper gear when working out or playing sports. Neglecting to make a regular appointment with your orthopedic doctor to make sure everything’s all right. Neglecting to see your doctor as soon as you start experiencing pain in your joints and waiting until it becomes unbearable. We are all guilty of this one. This can only be changed by making your health a priority. According to our doctor of sports medicine in Boca Raton, wearing proper shoes and using protective gear when working out can make a huge difference to your joints’ health. Proper gear will make you less prone to injuries and contusions, so make sure you use it every time you exercise.

If you’d like to find out more on how to keep your knees injury-free, have a look at some of our previous articles:

• ORTHOPEDICS PALM BEACH COUNTY: MOST VALUABLE ADVICE – “LOOK AFTER YOUR KNEES”
• DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN HELP MANAGE YOUR OSTEOARTHRITIS DOING THESE 3 THINGS?
• WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A KNEE REPLACEMENT?
• ARE YOUR KNEES THANKFUL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

Orthopedic surgeon in Boca Raton - About Orthopaedic Surgery Associates

Our facility is known for its exceptional orthopedic doctors. Our spine specialists are all experienced in dealing with this condition and they know exactly what to do to make the patient feel better as soon as possible. We have 2 conveniently located facilities in Palm Beach County where our doctors and professional staff work relentlessly to make sure patients receive the best possible treatment. We are one of the most advanced orthopedic groups in Florida and nationwide. Our orthopedic surgeons are proudly serving patients with orthopedic injuries in the following Palm Beach County locations: Boynton Beach and Boca Raton. If you’d like to find out more about us, our doctors, and our facilities, or you want to make an appointment, contact us. We look forward to seeing you soon!

This article was written on behalf of the practice by RedCastle Services. RedCastle specializes in Online Marketing for Doctors, including Medical SEO, SEO for doctors, and Medical Website Design. Contact RedCastle Services today to find out how we can help your practice increase its number of online patient referrals.