Combating Knee and Hip Pain: The Road to Recovery

Perhaps you’ve had to give up bicycling. Just getting out of bed in the morning may have become an ordeal. And sitting on the floor to play with the children is out of the question.

Whether you’re suffering from a past injury, or from the gradual wear and tear of osteoarthritis, pain can make it difficult for you to maintain an active lifestyle.

The Bryn Mawr Hospital Orthopedic Center in the Philadelphia suburbs is an established leader in caring for people with knee and hip pain. From managing medications and physical therapy to surgery, our orthopedic specialists work with you every step of the way to provide the treatment that will restore your quality of life.

“We have a reputation for incorporating excellence in orthopedics with complete, individualized care for each patient,” says Joseph V. Vernace, MD, orthopedic surgeon. “This is what sets us apart.”

Symptoms and Diagnosis
If you are over age 50 and suffering from chronic knee or hip pain, it is most likely the result of osteoarthritis, the number one cause of disability in the United States.

Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage cushioning the bones. In severe cases, the cartilage wears away completely, leaving bone rubbing against bone.

Symptoms vary. You may have a hard time moving around in the morning. You may hear a grinding sound when you walk, and your joints may appear swollen.

Treatment
“In general, your physician will recommend conservative courses of treatment first,” says Robert P. Good, MD, Bryn Mawr Hospital’s chief of orthopedics.

These may include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, pain relievers, or synthetic joint fluid.

“If such attempts do not work,” he says, “surgery may be necessary to help you to return to an active lifestyle.”

Depending on your diagnosis, Bryn Mawr Hospital’s orthopedic physicians -- recognized nationally for excellence in orthopedic surgery -- may recommend one of several surgical options, including:

• Arthroscopy. A small instrument is inserted into the joint to clean out loose pieces of cartilage in this outpatient procedure.
• Knee and Hip Replacement. Rough, worn surfaces of the joint are replaced with smooth surfaced artificial components.
• Complex Joint Reconstruction. The joint surface is replaced while bone deformities caused by childhood disease or trauma are simultaneously corrected.

“We pride ourselves on our expertise throughout the whole gamut of joint surgery,” says Matthew P. Lorei, MD, orthopedic surgeon. “Whether a patient requires a straightforward joint replacement or a complex reconstruction, we offer the type of expert care delivered with personal attention that is hard to find elsewhere.”

We provide monthly seminars on Hip and Knee Pain. For more information and class schedule click here or call 1-866-call-MLH (1-866-225-5654) Registration is required.

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