Learn What Orthopedic Surgery Is and Treatments to Prevent Invasive Measures
Joint pain makes everyday tasks more difficult and can drastically reduce quality of life. For many people, joint replacement surgery may seem like the only option to relieve this chronic condition. However, thanks to advanced orthopedics, there are several ways to manage joint pain and improve mobility without resorting to surgery.
After defining what orthopedic surgery is, we’ll explore the four main treatments that can help you avoid it. By preventing joint replacement surgery, you can reduce your risk of surgery-related complications and long recovery times.
What Is Orthopedic Surgery?
Orthopedic surgery focuses on the repair of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. It helps treat injuries, arthritis, and other conditions that affect movement and cause pain.
There are two main types of orthopedic surgery: arthroscopic and traditional open surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is the less invasive of the two. It uses a small camera and tools inserted through tiny incisions to treat joint problems. Because arthroscopic surgery involves less tissue damage, it typically leads to faster recovery times.
Open surgery, on the other hand, is more invasive and involves larger incisions to access the joint. It is used when more extensive repairs or a full joint replacement is required. Although traditional surgeries can be effective, recovery can be long and painful. That’s why many patients and advanced orthopedic doctors explore non-surgical options first.
- Lifestyle modifications: One of the most effective ways to avoid joint replacement surgery is by making lifestyle changes. These steps can reduce stress on your joints and help slow the progression of joint damage.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Carrying extra weight puts more pressure on your joints, especially the hips, knees, and ankles. Losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference in joint mobility and how they feel.
- Engage in low-impact exercise: Staying active is key, but it’s important to choose exercises that are gentle on the joints. Walking, swimming, biking, and yoga can improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and build muscle to support your joints.
- Follow an anti-inflammatory diet: What you eat can positively influence your joint health. Foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, berries, nuts, and whole grains may help lower inflammation. Avoiding sugary and processed foods can also help reduce joint pain.
These simple but powerful habits are often recommended by advanced orthopedics specialists to protect joint health and reduce the need for surgery.
Professional Physical Therapy
Another way to manage joint pain and avoid surgery is through physical therapy. A physical therapist can create a custom program designed to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance.
Targeted stretches and exercises help take pressure off painful joints while increasing the muscles around them. Physical therapy also teaches you how to move safely, avoid further injury, and protect your joints in everyday life.
Injection Therapies
When lifestyle changes and physical therapy aren’t enough, injection therapy can offer significant relief. These treatments are conducted by a specialist or orthopedic doctor and can help reduce pain and improve movement without the need for orthopedic surgery.
- Corticosteroid injections: These injections reduce inflammation in the joint and can provide quick pain relief. However, they are usually limited to a few treatments per year to avoid long-term side effects.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: Often used for knee pain, this gel-like substance mimics natural joint fluid and helps improve lubrication and mobility.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections: PRP therapy uses a patient’s own naturally occurring biological materials, processed to concentrate healing factors. These injections can support natural healing in the joint and reduce inflammation.
- Stem cell injections: Still considered experimental in some cases, regenerative therapy aims to rebuild damaged tissues using stem cells.
These advanced orthopedic options can be very effective in managing joint pain and delaying surgery, depending on the patient and the severity of the condition.
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medications
Many people turn to medications to manage their joint pain and other symptoms. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and swelling. Prescription medications may be used for more advanced arthritis or to manage higher levels of pain.
Although medications can be helpful in managing symptoms, they are not a long-term solution. They don’t treat the root cause of joint damage and often come with side effects if used for long periods. That’s why advanced orthopedic providers use medications as part of a larger treatment plan.
Take the Next Step in Your Orthopedic Health Journey
Now that you know what orthopedic surgery is, the two main types of orthopedic surgery, and the treatments that can help you avoid undergoing surgery, you have all the information you need to make more informed decisions about your joint health and advanced orthopedic treatment plans.
Whether it’s making small lifestyle changes, committing to physical therapy, trying injection therapies, or using medications, there are many ways to stay active and avoid the operating room.
If you’re struggling with joint pain, consult with an advanced orthopedic physician to see which treatments might work best for you. The earlier you act, the more options you’ll have to keep your joints healthy and pain-free.