Did you know nearly a third of the adult population in Michigan (29.9%) are living with arthritis?¹ Although arthritis cannot be cured, patients can effectively manage it to get back to an active lifestyle. Arthritis Awareness Month is the perfect time to explore the various treatments that offer relief and improve daily living for those affected.

Conservative Treatments and Short-Term Solutions

These are the first line of defense against arthritis pain. They include:

• Physical Therapy: Specialized exercise programs for strengthening the muscles around your joints to support and protect them.
• Medications: Anti-inflammatories and analgesics to manage pain and reduce inflammation.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Diet changes, weight management, and low-impact exercises to alleviate joint stress.
• Regenerative Medicine: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies are some of the latest joint injections that may improve symptoms in your joint.

Recognizing the Signs of Needing Surgery

There may come a time when the best conservative treatments no longer provide relief. Here are signs that it might be time to consider hip replacement surgery:

• Persistent Pain: When pain interferes with daily activities and rest, it's a signal that more advanced treatment may be necessary.
• Limited Mobility: Difficulty in performing routine tasks like walking, bending, or sitting.
• Joint Damage: Significant damage is visible on imaging tests, despite conservative treatments.

Joint Replacement and The Long-Term Solution

Joint replacement surgery is a transformative long-term solution for individuals suffering from debilitating arthritis. This procedure offers a dramatic improvement in pain relief, mobility, and quality of life by replacing the damaged joint with a prosthetic. It's a well-established, highly successful intervention that allows patients to return to their daily activities with ease.

Whether you're starting with conservative methods or considering hip replacement surgery, options exist to help manage your arthritis pain and improve your daily life. Book an appointment with Frisch Ortho for a treatment recommendation that’s right for you.

1. https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/chronicdiseases/arthritis

Dr. Nicholas Frisch is an orthopedic surgeon in the Greater Detroit, Michigan area, focusing on minimally invasive hip and knee joint replacement as well as complex primary and revision surgery. He believes in creating a personalized experience with the highest level of service. For all appointments & inquiries, please contact our offices located in Rochester and Tawas City.