Pain Management Basics for Osteoarthritis Patients

Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disease characterized by a breakdown of the cartilage between joints. Although osteoarthritis damage can’t be reversed, many patients can help manage the pain and improve joint function by starting with these basic tips.

Get Up and Move

It sounds counterintuitive to exercise through pain, but, according to the Arthritis Foundation, exercise is an effective non-drug treatment for improving osteoarthritis pain and increasing range of movement. However, the right type of exercise is key. Gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises can help improve joint flexibility, and aerobic exercises can help build stamina, reduce fatigue, and promote weight loss to ease the stress on joints. It’s okay to rest on those high-pain days, but a regular exercise routine can offer many benefits.

Prioritize Sleep

The effects of arthritis are far-reaching and can often lead to depression, sleepless nights, and an overall reduced quality of life. According to the Arthritis Foundation, pain and insomnia feed off one another in osteoarthritis patients. Pain prevents patients from getting quality sleep, and the lack of quality sleep leaves them more vulnerable to daytime pain. The Arthritis Foundation suggests maintaining a regular sleep schedule, removing electronics from the bedroom an hour before bedtime, and sleeping in a cool, dark room for better sleep. If sleep doesn’t come in 20 minutes, they recommend getting out of bed to do a calming activity.

Stock Up on Basics

Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve can bring some degree of relief from pain and inflammation. These medications aren’t without risks, so patients should speak with their orthopedic doctor to find out which option is best for them, then keep their medicine cabinet stocked. Another medicine cabinet basic is the hot or cold compress. Hot packs can ease pain and stiffness by increasing blood flow, and cold compresses can reduce swelling to bring relief.

Exhaust All the Options

The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms varies from patient to patient, and these basic lifestyle improvements can help many people manage their pain. According to the American College of Rheumatology, most osteoarthritis patients won’t need orthopedic surgery, but severe cases may be relieved by joint replacement. Patients should work with their doctors to exhaust all conservative treatment options before considering surgical alternatives.

If you’ve experienced pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased joint function, you may be suffering from osteoarthritis. An orthopedic doctor can help you explore treatment methods with the goal of improving your quality of life. Dr. Greiner at Greiner Orthopedics is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon dedicated to helping patients in Greater Kansas City manage their orthopedic conditions. He may be able to help you find relief. Contact Greiner Orthopedics today at 816-317-5070 to schedule an appointment.

How Advancements in Stem Cell Therapy Are Aiding Orthopedics

Many diverse injuries and disorders fall under an orthopedic surgeon's specialty, including sports injuries, ACL and meniscus tears, and arthritis. While these musculoskeletal ailments are painful and limiting, the field of orthopedics is, thankfully, always improving. This is due, in part, to advancements in stem cell therapy, which could hold much potential for improving orthopedic surgery today and into the future.

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work? 

Stem cells are a special type of cell that can be moved from healthy tissue to compromised tissue, where they then can begin a repairing process. They are typically taken from a variety of sources, including bones, skin, blood, and umbilical cords. Under the right conditions, relocated stem cells can become multipotent, meaning they can aid many areas of the body, including specialized structures like red blood cells, brain cells, and bone or cartilage.

How Is Stem Cell Therapy Used in Orthopedics?

Stem cells may be used to treat a number of areas in the musculoskeletal system, making them potentially very useful in the field of orthopedic surgery. For orthopedic applications, the most common stem cells used are called stromal cells, which are typically taken from adult bone marrow. These cells can aid the body's musculoskeletal system in a variety of ways, including building new ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

Orthopedic Stem Cell Therapy Into the Future

As research generates new stem cell techniques and applications, there is great potential for significant advancements in many orthopedic specialties. For example, damaged bone has traditionally been treated with solid grafts applied directly to a fracture; nowadays, however, stem cells can also be applied, which may differentiate into bone cells and dramatically speed up the healing process. Because of this potential to heal more quickly and remedy career-ending injuries, stem cell therapy is an increasingly popular option among professional athletes.

Dr. Robert F. Greiner, II of Greiner Orthopedics is committed to providing patients with a full-body approach to orthopedic care. Dr. Greiner handles a wide range of orthopedic disorders, including sports injuries, tears, and arthritis. Contact us today by filling out our online form or calling 816-317-5070.

What You Should Know About Robotic Knee Surgery

As many people struggle with knee pain and stiffness due to sports injuries, arthritis, and other complications, surgery is a common consideration. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, total knee replacements are among the most successful and cost-effective procedures in all of medicine. This surgery has come a long way since first performed in 1968, and robotic-assisted surgery now plays a crucial role in many modern knee surgeries. The NAVIO Surgical System is one of the innovative robotic-assisted surgical techniques used for many knee replacement surgeries.

The Advantages of NAVIO Robotic-assisted Surgery 

Knee replacement surgery involves the surgeon removing any damaged bone or cartilage in the knee joint and replacing it with new, artificial implants. This eliminates the bone-on-bone friction that was previously causing discomfort. Every knee surgery is unique based on the patient's anatomy and the specific implant used, and robotic systems like the NAVIO Surgical System improve the accuracy of implant alignment. The NAVIO system assists the doctor's usual procedures by custom-tailoring each surgery to the patient's own unique anatomy. It communicates more exact information about a patient's knee directly to the surgeon's robot-guided handpiece. This extra level of accuracy encourages better results when it comes to a new knee's function, feel, and longevity.

Traditional pre-surgery preparation often requires CT scans—images similar to x-rays showing cross-sections of the knees—but the NAVIO system functions without CT scans, which means patients do not need to be exposed to the possibly harmful radiation of CT scans.

Overview of Knee Replacement Surgery Candidates

Knee replacement is an orthopedic surgery procedure designed for patients who suffer from severe knee damage, either from specific injuries like tears, fractures, or sports injuries or from arthritis-related joint deterioration. Getting this treatment should allow a patient to experience less pain and stiffness and to be more active. If medicine and other less intensive treatments are not resulting in relief, surgery may well be the best option.

The Risks of Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, patients undergoing robotic knee replacement surgery with the NAVIO system may experience varied results. While the procedure is likely to result in less pain and more mobility in the joint, the new knee or knees may not have exactly the same range of motion or comfort as before, and some stiffness may continue. Risks include loosening of the joint or infection, both of which may result in the need for additional intervention. The orthopedic surgeon will know what's best for each patient and will provide post-surgery instructions that are designed to limit possible complications.

As a leader in orthopedic surgery, Greiner Orthopedics performs knee replacements using the innovative NAVIO robotic-assisted technology. We also treat and repair various bone, muscle, joint, tendon, and ligament injuries. Contact us today by sending us a message online or calling 816-317-5070.

Running Into Problems: Common Running Injuries and How to Prevent Them

One of the oldest and arguably least expensive athletic hobbies, running provides people with a great way to lose weight or stay fit. But when they come to a screeching halt after common orthopedic injuries, runners find themselves left in the dust. That's why working with a medical professional to create an early conservative treatment plan as soon as pain or discomfort arises is an essential first step to help avoid surgery. Thankfully, there are often simple ways to deal with some of the most common conditions before they require surgery so runners can hit the road again in no time.

Runner's Knee

An annoyance to casual running and a hindrance to intense race training, almost every athlete encounters the dreaded runner's knee at some point. Generally described as pain around the kneecap, the technical name for runner's knee is patellofemoral pain syndrome. It is characterized by pain or discomfort near the top of the kneecap and is caused by a wearing down of the cartilage, which is the firm but flexible connective tissue beneath the kneecap. So what's the best course of treatment? Strength training. Most often, runner's knee is caused by overuse of muscles that aren't accustomed to the impact of running and other sports. Strengthening quadriceps, hips, back, and core can help runners heal faster and get back to painless running sooner. It is always best to have a trained physician evaluate an injury to determine the extent of damage and other possible treatments.

Shin Splints

These painful lower leg afflictions are most common among new runners or those who do too much, too fast. Although doctors and scientists aren't entirely certain of what exactly they are, it is generally believed that shin splints are tiny tears in the muscle, inflammation of the tissue sheath on the shinbone, general muscle inflammation of the lower leg muscles, or any combination of the above. The first thing a runner suffering from shin splints should do is to stop running or cut back drastically. Muscles need time to heal, and overuse will only exacerbate the issue. Other forms of self-treatment include foam rolling, gentle stretching, wrapping the calves and shins, and cross training to avoid further injury. Dr. Greiner may also prescribe a walking boot or recommend physical therapy to aid in the healing.

Plantar Fasciitis

This often debilitating condition is caused by injury to the plantar fascia, the band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. Typically caused by unsupportive shoes, especially for runners who are overweight or have flat feet, plantar fasciitis can make even some of the lowest impact activities incredibly painful. Dr. Greiner offers a range of treatments for plantar fasciitis, including stem cell therapy and injections to help speed up healing time. While it can take weeks or months to resolve, limiting activity contributes to faster healing times.

At Greiner Orthopedics, we encourage those dealing with severe or lingering issues to contact us today at 816-317-5070. We are currently accepting new patients and serve individuals across the Kansas City Metro area from our convenient Independence location just off I-70.