Joints are what keeps our body together and moving – literally. When they get damaged or injured problems can start to occur. As remarkable as the human body is, joints can be brittle and wear down in various ways leading to intense pain in our knees, wrists, shoulders, hips and feet. If these problems start to become overly severe and impact our daily life, causing immense pain and inconvenience there can often be no alternative except to face the problem head-on. This is where body joint surgery and joint replacement comes in.
Common body joint injuries and solution
There are various body joint injuries and diseases that can occur and require the services of a body joints surgeon and replacement surgery. Two of the most common problems with the body joints are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, where strong and consistent pain occurs as a result of inflammation and joint damage.
Sprains and bursitis can also lead to long term joint damage as can tendonitis. It is important to speak to a fully-licensed physician and orthopedist about the problem you are having as there are many cases where medication or alternative therapies can be used to help treat the situation, however if chronic pain is getting in the way of various parts of your life then surgery can become a real consideration.
Hip and Knee injury
Two other common and serious joint problems that often need attention are the hips and knees. These are both areas that receive a lot of strain and can often become worn down or injured. Hip and knee replacement surgery can help in cases where significant deterioration or injury has occurred and severe, ongoing pain is making daily tasks difficult. In addition, foot and ankle surgery can correct problems that make it difficult to walk and bend.
Hip and knee arthroscopy can often correct cartilage and bone degeneration which has occurred in a matter of several hours. Although complications – including some serious potential hazards like allergic reactions to the bonding agents used for the new parts, blood clots and a pulmonary embolism – are possible, the side effects of knee and hip replacement are generally limited to a month or two of pain as you do physical therapy and adjust to your new, synthetic body parts.
Wrists, shoulders and arms
The wrists, shoulders and arms can also experience various problems that can eventually become serious enough to warrant surgery. This is especially true in the case of long-standing conditions like arthritis and can also be required for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Surgery may sometimes seem like a drastic step but it can ultimately save you from years of pain and life interruptions.
Next course of action
Arranging a consultation with an experienced physician will lead to an assessment of your problems and a determination of the best course of action going forward. Less serious problems with the joints do not often have to require joint replacement or major surgery and can sometimes be remedied through a mixture of medication, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. If it is determined that surgery is the best path forward your physician will talk over pricing as well as the preparation and after care aspects of the surgery to ensure it all goes ahead smoothly.
Who to consult?
Dr. Mahesh Bagwe consults at the Orthopedic Center of St. Louis and is a lower extremity specialist. He has years of experience and professional expertise in joint replacement and his professional and knowledgeable team also has extensive experience in joint replacement surgery.
Feel free to contact Dr. Bagwe today if you have suffered a body joint industry and want a consultation.
