Title: Embracing Life with Joint Pain: Kathy Blackwell’s Inspiring Journey
Introduction:
Living life to the fullest is a goal that Kathy Blackwell, a 73-year-old resident of Simi Valley, California, firmly believes in. Despite experiencing joint pains, Kathy remains determined to lead an active and fulfilling lifestyle with her senior group. With plans to attend concerts and embark on exciting trips, Kathy is putting her second hip replacement surgery on hold for now in the hopes of finding relief through alternative methods.
The Growing Trend of Joint Replacements:
Joint replacement surgeries have become increasingly common, with hundreds of thousands of knee and hip replacements being performed in the United States annually. Experts stress that age should not be a determining factor when considering joint replacement candidacy. Studies have shown that people of all ages can benefit from these surgeries. Success rates are high, with complications occurring in only about 2% of procedures.
Kathy Blackwell’s Journey:
Kathy has already undergone one hip and both knee replacements, with plans for a second hip replacement in the near future. Her decision to delay her upcoming surgery reflects her commitment to fully enjoy the activities she has planned. Chronic pain can take a toll on one’s mental well-being, and Kathy understands the importance of finding relief to maintain a positive outlook on life.
Preparation and Considerations for Joint Replacement:
Orthopedic surgeons emphasize the need for primary care physicians to exhaust non-surgical treatments before considering joint replacement as an option. Managing pain and functionality are essential factors in determining when surgery becomes necessary. Patients should explore conservative approaches, such as physical therapy and medication, as well as lifestyle changes before resorting to surgery. Mental readiness, pain tolerance, and post-operative support are other crucial aspects that doctors consider when evaluating a patient’s suitability for joint replacement.
The Importance of Managing Expectations:
While knee replacements can provide significant pain relief and improve quality of life in older patients, managing expectations is crucial. Younger patients may have higher expectations, aiming to return to high-impact activities, while older patients often focus on regaining basic functionality and pain-free mobility. Setting realistic goals and understanding the risks and benefits of the procedure are vital for a successful outcome.
Alternative Approaches for Arthritis Management:
Before recommending surgery, primary care physicians often explore various conservative management options for arthritis patients. These may include rehabilitation exercises, orthotics, medication, and weight loss efforts. Surgery is typically considered when these measures fail to improve the patient’s pain or overall lifestyle. Mental preparedness and aligning patient expectations become important factors in deciding the best course of action.
Kathy Blackwell’s Inspirational Resilience:
Kathy’s joint pain can be attributed to a life well-lived rather than any major accidents or sports injuries. Her determination and positive attitude are evident in her refusal to let chronic pain hinder her active lifestyle. Despite experiencing complications with her first knee replacement surgery, Kathy persevered and found a surgeon who rectified the issues. Her subsequent surgeries were successful, bringing her long-awaited relief and renewed enthusiasm for life.
Conclusion:
Kathy Blackwell’s journey serves as an inspirational testament to the resilience and determination required to overcome joint pain. Age should not be a limiting factor when considering joint replacement, as people of all ages can benefit from these surgeries. Proper evaluation, conservative management, and realistic expectations play crucial roles in determining the right time for surgery. By embracing a proactive approach to joint health, individuals like Kathy can continue to live their best lives, pursuing their passions and creating memorable experiences along the way.
Summary:
Embracing Life with Joint Pain: Kathy Blackwell’s Inspiring Journey delves into the experiences of Kathy Blackwell, a 73-year-old resident who refuses to let joint pain hinder her active lifestyle. The article explores the increasing trend of joint replacements, emphasizes the importance of considering non-surgical treatments and managing expectations, and introduces alternative approaches for arthritis management. Kathy’s resilience and determination shine through as she shares her experiences and demonstrates the transformative power of joint replacements when approached with the right mindset. This article provides insights and practical advice for individuals seeking guidance on joint health, encouraging them to embrace life to the fullest despite the challenges of joint pain.
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July 11, 2023: Kathy Blackwell isn’t going to let a couple of joint pains keep her from living her best life.
The 73-year-old resident of Simi Valley, a bedroom community about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, hosts regular activities for her senior group. The strong 20-30 member group of experienced citizens, mostly women, remains active. Over the next few weeks, they plan to see the Beach Boys at the historic Hollywood Bowl and take a cruise to Alaska.
The busy schedule is the reason Blackwell intends to delay her second hip replacement surgery, opting instead for a cortisone shot in hopes of easing the pain enough to enjoy the upcoming excursions.
It’s not that I’m shy about joint replacement. If her orthopedic surgeon offered her a frequent customer punch card like the ones she gets at the local coffee shop, hers would be nearly full. Blackwell’s knees and one hip have been replaced, and her other hip will be replaced as well, once her schedule clears up.
“If you go on long enough with chronic pain where there is no relief, you get cranky,” Blackwell said.
Over 1 million new knees and hips
Joint replacements are becoming more common, with about 790,000 total knee replacements and more than 450,000 hip replacements conducted annually in the United States, according to the American College of Rheumatology.
Experts agree that age is not a factor when considering candidates for joint replacement. Rafael Sierra, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, said he has performed hip replacements on patients ages 12 to 102. Orthopedic surgeon John Wang, MD, of the Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York City, has performed a total knee arthroscopy on a 90-year-old patient. At 73, Blackwell is on the older side of the average age of 66 for a hip replacement.
“Lots of research and studies have shown that regardless of age range, people do very well,” Wang said.
More important than age, older patients must be prepared for post-surgical therapy and treatment. For younger patientsthe biggest drawback is surviving the estimated 25-year lifespan of a joint replacement. Complications are rare and do occur in about 2% of procedures. These include infection, joint dislocation, and blood clots; other health problems you also have are not a factor.
Considering Blackwell’s difficult time with his first knee replacement, it’s no wonder he ever set foot in a surgeon’s office again.
After putting it off for 7 years, Blackwell finally accepted her doctor’s advice to have her left knee replaced in 2017 to relieve what she described as chronic bone-on-bone pain.
“It got to the point where there were no alternatives,” he said.
But her first orthopedic surgeon did a “dismal job,” leaving her with an open, oozing wound that resulted in sepsis and required wound vacuum therapy to close the lesion. He eventually found another surgeon who removed and cleaned his artificial knee before replacing the prosthesis. Fortunately, the sepsis did not spread, and eight surgeries later, he was doing well.
Blackwell’s second knee replacement in 2018 was a textbook surgery, as was a hip replacement in late 2019.
“Your whole attitude changes,” he said.
What generalists need to know
Orthopedic surgeons recommend that primary care physicians ask themselves two questions when considering joint replacements: Have they exhausted non-surgical treatments and is the pain intolerable? They also advise avoiding narcotics to treat symptoms.
The main issue for a primary care physician to consider when considering whether their patient may be a candidate for joint replacement is whether the pain and imaging are severe enough to warrant surgery.
“You don’t want to do it too early,” Sierra said.
Sierra likes to tell the story of the golfer whose knee stiffens after playing 18 holes. For those patients, he recommends dialing back the activity; in this case, using a cart or playing only nine holes.
Wang agrees, asking if the pain is “lifestyle disrupting” and if the patient has not responded to non-surgical treatments, such as over-the-counter medications, anti-inflammatory medications and injections, home exercises or physical therapy, use of a brace or sleeve. or simply changing the activity of it.
And no addictive pain relievers to treat arthritis that can lead to other serious problems.
“This is not going to heal on its own,” Wang said. “It’s not going to get better on its own. So, we don’t want to throw narcotics at him just to cover it up.”
Karen Smith, MD, has been a family physician in rural North Carolina for over 30 years. When she sees patients who complain about their joints, she first looks at function and pain. From there, she explores why they have discomfort. For example, is the problem a matter of ergonomics at work or the result of carrying a lot of body weight?
“We look at those areas to determine what can be changed,” he said. “All of that is done before we even have the orthopedic involvement.”
Smith said he also considers things beyond basic medicine: What is the patient’s mental state and pain tolerance? Do you have a support system at home for post-operative care? And can they afford to miss work?
“We look at all of those factors together because that will determine the outcome that we hope to achieve,” Smith said.
High expectations
A recent study shows that older patients respond better to knee replacements than younger patients, particularly with pain relief and quality of life. The reason for this is believed to come down to expectations. While a younger person may want to go back to the racquetball court and play like before, older patients may want to just walk down the hall undisturbed.
“These patients under 55 years of age may take a little longer to heal to be satisfied,” Wang said. more than his knee.”
Jeevan Sall, MD, is a primary care sports medicine physician with Providence Mission Heritage Medical Group in Laguna Niguel, CA. He first discusses the conservative management of patients struggling with arthritis in the joints. These measures include rehabilitation exercises, orthotics, shoe inserts, medications, and weight loss efforts. If these steps do not improve the patient’s pain or lifestyle, surgery is on the table. Managing expectations is a significant factor.
“Is the patient mentally prepared for surgery?” Sal said. “This includes what they hope to achieve with the surgery, as well as the risks and benefits of the procedure.”
Blackwell’s hip and knee pain stemmed simply from a life well lived, without marathon running or life-changing accidents. She worked as a homemaker raising her two children and owned an elevator company with her late husband, Robert Blackwell.
Yes, the elevator construction business has jokes.
“We have our ups and downs,” Blackwell said.
And with her new joints, Kathy too.
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