Consider Your Options for Relieving Joint Pain

Even when joint pain or stiffness is keeping you from the things you love, a fear of surgery may make you hesitate to see an orthopedic surgeon. What you may not realize is that the specialist will likely recommend a number of other measures before considering joint replacement surgery.

“Surgery is rarely the first option for someone suffering from joint pain,” says Kevin Jones, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists. “Depending upon the joint and cause of pain, the conservative treatments we’ll first pursue include anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, weight loss, physical therapy, bracing and injections.”

What's more, he says, surgery doesn’t necessarily mean undergoing a joint replacement. Sometimes a less invasive procedure, like arthroscopy, can address the underlying problem.

When is it time to consider surgery?

Dr. Jones recommends that patients think about surgery:

• After all appropriate conservative measures have been tried
• Before range of motion is dramatically decreased
• When the pain is putting limits on an active life
• When the mechanics of a joint increase the risk of falling (and a potential femur or pelvis break)

“In addition to pursuing nonsurgical options with patients, we’re spending time looking at what can be done to improve outcomes after surgery,” says Dr. Jones. “We’ve seen that there are some things not even related to the joint that can cause problems for joint replacement patients. One such area is nutrition.”

Preparation before surgery is important.

The following will help ensure that you have the best surgical outcome:

• Vitamin D – Having a low level of vitamin D prior to surgery can increase your risk of infection. Dr. Jones recommends that patients take a daily supplement of 2,000 units of vitamin D.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or Less – A high ratio of weight to height increases the risk of complications. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.
• Low-Carb Diet – Switching to a diet that doesn’t increase insulin levels is more important than going low-fat. Avoid pasta, bread, white potatoes, rice and natural sweeteners. 
   
• Pre-op Exercises – Beaufort Memorial physical therapists have a series of exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles surrounding your joint. These will contribute to joint stability and mobility after surgery.

Want to learn more? RSVP for a Joint Replacement Informational Session or schedule a visit with an orthopedic specialist.