Author Bio
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Dr. Abhinandan Punit , MS, DNB, MCh (Edinburgh), MSc Sports & Exercise Medicine
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15+ years of surgical experience with 6,000+ orthopedic surgeries
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Performs 200+ knee replacements annually, specializing in robotic techniques (MAKO, Cuvis, Cori)
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Fellowship training in the UK and Australia
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Founder of Elite Orthocare Multi-Specialty Clinic and consultant at Narayana Clinic & Hospitals
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Member of ISHKS and ISTA, with published outcome research in peer-reviewed journals
As people get older, they begin to experience more health issues, such as joint pain. Family members, friends, or even themselves experience these issues as they age. However, pain such as this can vary in severity and knowing when to seek medical attention can be difficult. Hip and knee pain can come from different sources such as an injury, arthritis, or general wear and tear. Some people can manage their pain with over the counter medication or make lifestyle changes. Other people lose the ability to perform even simple tasks due to their pain and stiffness. When this occurs, physicians may recommend knee or hip replacements. If you or someone you know is in this situation, there are key indicators that signal the need to consult with an experienced medical professional.
Signs That May Call for Joint Replacement Surgery
1. Continuous Pain
Pain after certain activities is normal. Pain felt after workouts or after long walks is to be expected. However, daily, neutral pain that is constant, is a sign that there could be a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. An individual may even lose sleep because of the pain. This is especially true for those who are experiencing knee or hip pain due to the damaging of the joints. Pain that interferes with the activities of daily living is severe enough to be looked at.
2. Swelling and Stiffness That is Consistent
Arthritis is a condition that affects moving joints and is correlated with swelling in joints. When worsening arthritis, a person may experience dilation in their joints and, with it, plastic condensation. This may then put a person in a position where they cannot flex their knee, they are unable to rotate their hip and, it may be difficult for the individual to walk. If your stiff joints have not improved over a period of time despite your own home remedies, an ortho doctor needs to evaluate your joints.
3. Decline in Quality of Life
Being unable to walk a short distance, move in and out of a chair, and keep up with your grandchildren may indicate severe arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Many people perceive their knees and hips as barriers to their happiness and freedom. When you become so limited in your ability to perform the basic functions of living, seeking and obtaining a referral to your doctor is a necessary step to consider treatment for your condition.
4. Greater Reliance on Conservative Measures
In general, more clinicians prefer starting with the following non operative choices:
- Systemic anti inflammatory medications
- Changes in activity
- Rehabilitation
- Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections into the joint
- Weight loss
Although joint replacement surgery is viewed as the last option, it becomes the only appropriate selection when conservative measures do not improve your condition and your body becomes accustomed to the analgesics. When other attempts at treatment have not succeeded, surgery is the only way to regain relief and restore function to the joint.
5. Joints Cracking and Deformity
When grinding and cracking sounds (crepitus) occur while moving a knee or hip, and visible changes to the knee or leg are present, there may be deformed joints. Please schedule regular appointments with your physician.
6. Impact on Mental Health
Chronic pain does not only concern customers’ bodies; it concerns their mental state too. The inability to enjoy and be present in life’s simple moments, or to complete simple tasks, may irritate and frustrate a person, and even lead to feeling lonely. Because of these symptoms, customers tend to want to avoid socialising and exercising. When joint pain is taking away from you the important things in life, you should discuss the potential need for surgery with your physician.
Importance of Early Consultation
Another recurring concern is whether patients should consult with their doctor regarding hip or knee pain. The answer is clear; do not wait until the pain is intolerable. An early assessment allows the doctor to:
- Remove predictors of pain
- Suggest lifestyle and treatment options
- Monitor the progression of the arthritis
- Address potential surgical options before it becomes too advanced
The effects of waiting to seek treatment includes bone and muscle atrophy, joint deformity, and a decline in the quality of surgeries that can be performed. The timely treatments, surgical or otherwise, improve the patient’s mobility, independence, and overall quality of life.
What Are The Results of This Type of Surgery?
Most surgeries performed today tend to be successful with the damaged joint being constructed and replaced. Some of the state of the art devices assist in providing the following:
- Pain relief
- Improvement of range of motion
- Resumption of normal activities
After surgery most individuals tend to notice an improvement in their overall quality of life.
What Should be Done to Take Care of the Joints?
Making the choice to undergo surgery on the joints is a big step. The signs should not be ignored as the problem will get worse. Ongoing pain, restricted range of movement, and stiff joints that are unresponsive to conservative measures are indicators that surgery might be a good option.
The ideal solution to the questions and concerns associated with joint replacement surgery and to evaluate whether there are alternatives that would make the non operative approach possible is to consult Dr. Punit. In this manner, you will obtain the most qualified assistance to manage the process of joint replacement surgery and the non operative approach to the management of symptomatic knee arthritis.
Don’t allow joint pain to become a barrier to your daily activities. With the right attention to your needs and the appropriate medical support, you can maintain your desired level of activity and independence, as well as a pain free lifestyle. Experts like Dr. Abhinandan Punit can help you to achieve this.
Book a Consultation: Get Pain-Free Mobility
Elite Orthocare Multi-Specialty Clinic
Metro Pillar – 211, NDV Towers, Kanakapura Road, Raghuvanahalli, Bangalore
Phone: +91 8618292628
Email: punitabhi1@gmail.com
Timing: Mon-Fri, 4:30 pm onwards
Narayana Health City Bommasandra
Phone: 8197299003
Timing: Mon-Sat, 9 am–5 pm
Narayana Clini,c Electronic City
Phone: 8197299003
Book online: doctorabhinandanpunit.com
📍 Clinic Locations:
- Elite Orthocare, Kanakpura Road
- Narayana Clinic, Electronic City
- Narayana Health City, Bommasandra
