Research shows that 1 in 3 people have or will eventually develop arthritis. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability in America.
But research also shows that people are better able to manage pain and alleviate the disability associated with arthritis when they take control of their own care. A better understanding of your treatment options is your first step.
Please use this site to explore therapies that may provide you with an alternative to surgery or, at the very least, alleviate your pain while you’re waiting for an operation, to learn about the promising new area of computer-assisted minimally invasive joint reconstruction, and to correspond with other patients.
Of course the information on this site should not replace a consultation with a medical specialist, but I hope it inspires you to seek the treatment you need to regain an active lifestyle.
A Handbook on Arthritis
Arthritis of the Hip & Knee The Active Person's Guide to Taking Charge
By Ronald J. Allen, S. David Stulberg, M.D., and Victoria Anne Brander, M.D.
A comprehensive easy-to-understand handbook that empowers patients by allowing them to take control of their treatment and recovery process.
This comprehensive, easy-to-understand book highlights recent substantial advances made in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. It encourages patients to take charge of their situation: to actively participate in the decision-making about their treatment and rehabilitation and to become and stay physically active.
The book is the collaborative effort of three people—a patient who had both of his hips replaced by the age of 45, the orthopedic surgeon who performed the operation, and the physiatrist who supervised rehabilitation following the patient’s second hip surgery—each contributing valuable insight into the treatment of osteoarthritis and the rehabilitation process. You’ll find:
- Causes, treatment options, and disease progression
- Advice on living with osteoarthritis
- Pre-operative therapies
- Surgery: preparation for, costs and benefits, options, procedures, and improved techniques
- Post-operative therapy
- Exercise and physical therapy
- Advice on living with an implant
- The future of care for arthritis
- 100 photographs and illustrations showing exercises, movements, before-and-after x-rays, implants
"It fills a gap in the literature by outlining a step-by-step process for preparing for surgery through recovery… and addresses aspects of surgery and recovery sometimes minimized by professionals. The book is well organized and clearly written, with numerous black-and-white illustrations. Exercises are easy to follow and clearly written, and the authors make the requisite caveat to consult a therapist. … Recommended as an inexpensive addition to healthcare collections targeting patient education needs surrounding arthritis or joint replacement surgery."—Library Journal
Buy the Guide at Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble