Elderly Care: Helping You Deal With the Dying Process
About Osteoarthritis And Getting It Treated By An Orthopedic Surgeon
Julio Carr
It can be a struggle being productive when you have painful knees that interferes with your ability to stoop down, especially if you have a job that involves lifting objects. Knee pain can come about from a condition that is called osteoarthritis, and an orthopedic surgeon can give you some relief by performing knee replacement surgery. In this article, learn about osteoarthritis and how an orthopedic surgeon can treat it.
Why Does Osteoarthritis Have a Painful Effect on the Knees?
Your knees are in a lot of pain when you bend because your bones are rubbing together. It is vital for there to be cartilage between each joint, but osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to deteriorate. The lack of cartilage can make it difficult to walk as well. Osteoarthritis can be more painful if you stop bending your knees on a regular basically due to the pain.
You don't want to continue coping with pain from osteoarthritis without medical attention. If you don't get treated soon enough, it is possible for your joints to stop functioning. You will then end up having to use a cane or even a wheelchair to get around.
What Can an Orthopedic Surgeon Do to Treat Osteoarthritis?
Knee replacement surgery is a common method used by orthopedic surgeons for treating osteoarthritis. You will have to undergo an x-ray to get properly diagnosed before surgery can take place. The surgeon will also have to touch your knees to determine where you are experiencing painful joints.
The procedure for knee replacement surgery involves the removal of joints that have been damaged from rubbing together. After the damaged joints are removed, the surgeon will replace them with artificial joints that are made out of plastic or metal. You will be on anesthesia during the entire process, so you don't have to worry about a lot of pain. You will also be prescribed pain medication and antibiotics when the procedure is complete.
What Does Knee Replacement Surgery Cost on Average?
Your expenses for the knee replacement procedure will depend on whether or not you have health insurance. You are looking to spend at least $35,000 if you don't have insurance, but you may be able to make payments if the orthopedic surgeon offers financing. It is worth getting your osteoarthritis treated no matter how much it may cost if you want to keep functional knees. Call an orthopedic surgeon like one from Town Center Orthopaedic Associates so you can get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible!
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As an elderly care worker, I have witnessed the deaths of many individuals. I have seen family members become angry, sad, and completely silent at the end. I have also seen individuals refuse to see family members out of denial. People deal with death in different ways, and the strong emotions are often unfamiliar and scary. If you have a parent or grandparent who is elderly, then I want to share with you what I know about end of life care and dying process. We are a society that does not talk about death, and this can cause great pain when a family member dies. Learn about the process and find out how to deal with your own emotions and how to love your family members at the end. If there is only a small amount of time left, then I want you to cherish the final moments.