A study presented at the 2014 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) meeting showed that knee replacement surgeries have increased 120 percent over the past decade. This stark increase was mostly due to an influx of younger patients. Researchers noted that surgeries rose by 89 percent among patients in the 65 to 84 age bracket, while they rose an astonishing 188 percent among patients in the 45 to 64 age bracket.

Dr. Geoffrey Westrich, co-director of Joint Replacement Research at Hospital for Special Surgery, has witnessed this surge of younger patients at his own facility.

“Clearly, times have changed regarding our treatment of patients with knee and hip arthritis,” he says. “In the not-so-distant past, most younger patients with advanced arthritis were told to live with the pain or cut back on their activities, and wait until later in life to have joint replacement. Many younger patients…are still told to wait, despite the fact that their quality of life suffers.”

According to Westrich, minimally invasive techniques and improved implant designs have made surgery a more appealing option for younger patients, and it’s changing the way surgeons look at joint replacement as well. New implants have a more natural feel, offer improved range of motion, and are expected to last upwards of 20 years. For patients who lead active lifestyles, this makes joint replacement surgery an especially appealing long-term solution (Source: Hospital for Special Surgery).

While joint replacement surgery can offer improved joint function and greater quality of life for younger patients, there is the concern of revision surgery further down the line. The AAOS estimates that 10 percent of patients who undergo joint replacement will require a revision at some point in the future. The younger the patient is at the time of joint replacement surgery, the sooner they will face the possibility of revision surgery. In cases where the patient is especially young, conservative therapies such as over-the-counter pain reliever and corticosteroid injections may be the best option until surgery becomes a necessity (Source: Arthritis Foundation).

Bunions, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and neuromas. If you suffer from any of these common foot ailments, you want to find relief – and fast! Many patients think that surgery is their only option to correct foot problems and deformities, but that isn’t necessarily true. According to Dr. Steven Rosenberg, most foot ailments can be alleviated with proper-fitting arch supports.

Arch supports help alleviate foot pain by supporting the joints and allowing the foot to function properly. Well-fitted supports prevent abnormal pronation (rolling of the foot) which can lead to structural problems that may eventually require surgery.

The key to finding the right support inserts is making sure they are designed to fit in the arch of the shoe and they offer support in the right places. Inserts that are placed in the arch of the shoe will support the foot joints and slow down the formation of bunions, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and neuromas (pinched nerves or benign nerve tumors). Proper-fitting supports also create space in the great toe joint to prevent jamming and joint pain and will prevent the arches of the feet from flattening.

In some cases, surgery may be the best form of treatment. However, Rosenberg suggests that this option only be considered when all other conservative treatments have failed. Surgery is always an option you can keep on hold while you explore other treatments, but once surgery is performed, you cannot revert the foot back to its original state. It is always best to start with the least invasive form of treatment and work towards more aggressive therapies until you find relief (Source: Huffington Post).

Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind if you suffer from joint pain, but it could be just what the doctor ordered. Research shows that staying physically active can combat chronic joint pain by increasing flexibility, reducing fatigue and promoting circulation of fluids to the joint capsule. Exercise also helps to improve your pain threshold to make your joint symptoms more manageable (Source: WebMD).

When exercising to relieve joint pain, you want to find activities that are low-impact. These will improve cardiovascular health and help you build strength in weak or painful joints without making your symptoms worse. Here are some low-impact activities you can try to keep your joints limber and healthy:

Rowing
The rowing machine is arguably one of the most underutilized cardio machines in the entire gym, but it can be the perfect total-body workout for patients with arthritis or chronic joint pain. Rowing requires you to use all your major muscle groups, so you’re sure to notice stronger arms, legs, core, back, and shoulders. And because the resistance is controlled by the amount of effort you put forth, it’s easy to adjust the intensity of your workout to fit your comfort level.

Swimming
Aquatic exercise is particularly beneficial for joint pain sufferers because the water reduces joint impact while providing resistance. Swimming is a full-body workout that lengthens and strengthens muscles, improves range of motion and increases cardiovascular fitness. You don’t need to have impeccable form to enjoy the benefits of swimming. Whether you do the backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, or you simply dog paddle from one end of the pool to the other, you’re sure to enjoy a great workout that strengthens and soothes your joints.

Elliptical
Gyms and fitness centers are full of elliptical users who appear to be effortlessly gliding their way to a leaner, stronger body. But make no mistake, the elliptical provides a challenging workout for your upper and lower body. The elliptical simulates walking, running or climbing, but the gliding movements of this machine reduce impact on your joints for a safe, comfortable workout.

Indoor Cycling
The smooth motions of cycling are easier on joints than higher-impact exercises, and they are great for strengthening weak hips and knees. If you’re new to indoor cycling, you may want to ask a fitness instructor or personal trainer to assist you with setting up your bike. Proper bike settings and good form are essential to keeping joints supported and injury-free.

If you’ve recently undergone joint replacement surgery, congratulations! The hardest part is over, and you’re well on your way to making a great recovery. Now begins the rehab phase which plays a crucial part in restoring range of motion and strengthening the surrounding muscles.

Once you have received clearance from your doctor, you should spend approximately 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times per day, performing exercises that will strengthen and restore your joint. These exercises will not only speed your recovery, they will increase your chances of long-term success after surgery. The following are some exercises that may be recommended by your doctor:

For Shoulders

• Grip strengthening – Grasp a rubber ball or roll your hand into a fist. Hold for 10 seconds and release. Complete 30 reps.
• Scapula retraction – Stand tall and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for 10 seconds, then relax and repeat.
• Pendulum swing – Bend at the waist and use your strong arm to grasp a table or chair for support. Allow your recovering arm to relax and hang straight down below you, making small clockwise and counterclockwise circles (Source: UCSF Medical Center).

For Knees

• Straight leg lifts – Lie on your back and keep your recovering leg flat on the floor. Bend your other leg at the knee, resting your foot firmly on the floor. Gently raise your recovering leg about six inches off the floor and hold for 10 seconds.
• Thigh squeezes – Lying flat on your back, gently press the back of your knees to the floor and engage the muscles in the front of your thighs. Hold for five seconds, relax and repeat.
• Knee bending – Sit in a chair and bend your recovering leg so your toes rest on the floor beneath your seat. Keep your other leg flat on the floor in front of you for support. Gently bend your affected knee back as far as possible, allowing your heel to lower towards the floor. Hold for five seconds, then rest and repeat (Healthline).

For hips

• Hip flexion – Loop an elastic resistance band around your ankles and stand behind a chair for support. Keeping the knee straight, extend your affected leg forward. Return to your starting position and repeat.
• Hip extensions – Stand tall and hold the back of a chair for support. Raise your recovering leg straight behind you until you reach a comfortable level of resistance. Return to your starting position and repeat. This exercise can also be performed with resistance bands.
• Hip abduction – Stand sideways next to a door-frame or chair for support. Keeping a slight bend in the knee, stand on your strong leg and slowly extend your recovering leg out to the side. Gently lower your leg to starting position and repeat (Source: OrthoInfo).

A national survey showed that nearly one-third of Americans reported experiencing joint pain within the last 30 days. Pain within the knees was the number one complaint, followed by pain in the shoulders and hips (Source: To Your Health).

Joint pain can range from mild to severe, and it can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. If you are dealing with painful symptoms or loss of function in your joints, there are several conservative treatment options available. They include:

• Medications– Prescription or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can offer pain relief and reduce joint swelling. In patients who are dealing with pain but do not have joint inflammation, acetaminophen may be sufficient.
• Topical treatments– Topical creams and ointments can help to soothe joint comfort. Because the ingredients of these creams must be absorbed into the skin, they are most effective on joints that are close to the skin’s surface.
• Steroid Injections– In patients who do not respond to medications and topical treatments, steroid injections may be the next step. These injections deliver medication directly to the joint site, and they can be repeated every three to four months.
• Physical therapy– Exercises that stretch and strengthen surrounding muscles can help improve joint pain, stability and range of motion. In addition to specific stretches and exercises, a physical therapist may use ultrasound, electrical nerve stimulation, and heat or cold therapy to treat joint issues (Source: WebMD).

When conservative treatments offer little to no relief from chronic joint pain, it may be time to talk to your doctor about surgery. With advancements in medical technology and minimally invasive techniques, joint surgeries are now safer and more successful than ever before.

When weighing the pros and cons of surgery, you will want to consider the cost of the procedure and how greatly it will improve your quality of life. Hip and knee replacement surgeries, for example, have a 10-year success rate of 90 to 95 percent and a 20-year success rate of 80 to 85 percent. These procedures are often considered well worth the cost due to the quality years of life they offer to patients (Source: American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons).

Joint surgery is a very personal decision, but it’s one you should make with your doctor. Together you can discuss the risks and benefits of surgery and decide which course of treatment best meets your needs. You can also discuss the right timing for surgery and plans for recovery. Working hand in hand with your doctor will allow you find complete, long-term relief for your chronic joint pain issues.

A fresh blanket of snow creates the perfect landscape for a day of skiing, sledding and snowboarding. Unfortunately, it also sets the stage for injuries.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 246,000 people received medical treatment for winter sports injuries last year alone. This included:

• 88,000 skiing injuries
• 61,000 snowboarding injuries
• 50,000 ice skating injuries
• 47,000 sledding, tobogganing, or snow tubing injuries

No sport is without risk, but you can help protect yourself against common injuries by recognizing potential hazards and taking steps to prevent them. Here are some of the most common injuries that occur in winter sports:

• Concussions from falling or running into rocks or trees
• Rotator cuff injuries or shoulder dislocation from skiing accidents
• Collision injuries during ice hockey, ice skating or skiing
• Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) when twisting or falling on skis
• Sprains or pulled muscles from ice skating accidents
• Spinal injuries from sledding, skiing or snowmobile accidents

To protect yourself from these injuries, remember to follow these safety guidelines:

• Always have a partner. Never participate in winter sports alone.
• Warm up for 10 to 15 minutes prior to vigorous activity.
• Wear appropriate protective gear, including a helmet, goggles and gloves.
• Dress in multiple layers to keep muscles warm and prevent injury.
• Drink water before, during and after activity to stay thoroughly hydrated.
• Take a rest when you feel tired. Fatigued muscles do not respond as quickly and may result in injury.

Winter sports can be the highlight of the season as long as they are performed safely. Take steps to ensure your outdoor activities remain injury-free and remember to discuss safety rules with your children. A little prevention could spare you a trip to the emergency room and weeks of recovery (Source: OrthoInfo).

The negative side effects of smoking are well-established. Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, claiming 443,000 lives each year. Studies have linked smoking to various mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression, but the physical side effects of smoking are even more severe. Individuals who smoke are at greater risk of developing heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lung disease, vision problems, and osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak, brittle and prone to fractures. More than 53 million Americans already have osteoporosis or are at increased risk due to low bone mass (Source: International Osteoporosis Foundation).

Cigarette smoking was first identified as a risk factor for osteoporosis over two decades ago. Since that time, research has continued to establish a direct link between tobacco use and bone loss. Nicotine and other toxic substances in cigarettes can damage bones by:

• Inhibiting calcium absorption from dietary sources
• Slowing the production of osteoblasts, the bone-forming cells responsible for growing new bone
• Reducing blood supply to the bones
• Accelerating the breakdown of estrogen, a fundamental hormone for healthy bones

If you are currently a smoker and you’ve thought about quitting, you are not alone. A recent government survey found that nearly 70 percent of smokers in the U.S. want to quit, and nearly half of them tried to quit last year. Unfortunately, a mere six percent of these individuals succeed (Source: Drugfree.org). These statistics are grim, but there is hope.

The Great American Smokeout is designed to help smokers kick the habit, even if it’s just for one day. With an assortment of support tools, programs and resources, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips to begin your smoke-free journey. Giving up cigarettes is difficult, but it’s one significant step you can take towards a longer, happier, more fulfilling life. Let the Great American Smokeout inspire you to seize the day and turn your health into a success story.

Also known as runner’s knee, PFPS is a broad term that describes anterior knee pain stemming from overuse or injury. Physical therapy, stretching, and exercises to strengthen the knee and surrounding muscles are traditional therapies in treating PFPS, but research shows there might be a better way. A study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine found that rehab routines which focus on hip strength appear to provide superior results in relieving runner’s knee.

British and Australian scientists evaluated 14 previous studies of individuals with PFPS. The researchers found that participants whose therapy programs included hip strengthening, endurance and activation exercises had less knee pain and improved joint function over participants whose programs only focused on the quadriceps muscles. Programs that focused on improving hip and glute strength with heavy weights also had favorable results after a one year follow-up.

Runner’s knee tends to be a recurring condition, so ongoing exercise programs which focus on hip strength could be the key to long-term relief, says study author Dylan Morrissey, Ph.D., of the Queen Mary University of London. However, treatment for runner’s knee or any other running injury should not be a one size fits all approach. If you experience ongoing knee troubles, Morrissey recommends seeing a physical therapist or medical professional. “There are lots of other things that can be done to help runner’s knee pain, and we are learning more about them all the time,” he said (Source: Active).