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You notice it while climbing stairs.
Maybe it's when you get up from the couch after watching a game, take a long walk around the neighborhood or spend the afternoon working in the yard.
At first, it's easy to brush off. The pain comes and goes. But over time, the stiffness lasts longer and discomfort becomes more frequent. Activities you once enjoyed don't feel quite as easy anymore.
For many people, the next thought is: "Do I need a joint replacement?"
Not always.
While joint replacement can be the right solution for advanced arthritis or severe joint damage, many patients may have options to help preserve their natural joint before replacement becomes necessary.
"Joint preservation isn't about avoiding joint replacement forever," says Jason Watters, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Community Health Network. "It's about helping the right patient maintain their natural joint for as long as possible."
Joint preservation refers to treatments that help maintain your natural hip or knee joint before damage becomes severe enough to require replacement.
It may be an option for patients experiencing:
The goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility and potentially delay joint replacement.
Many people assume these treatments are only for younger patients.
"In the past, people focused heavily on age," says Dr. Watters. "Today, we're more focused on the condition of the joint itself — how healthy the cartilage is, how stable the joint is and how much arthritis is present."
Cartilage is the smooth tissue that cushions the ends of bones and helps joints move comfortably. Arthritis develops when that cushioning begins to wear down or the joint becomes inflamed, often leading to pain, stiffness and swelling.
The earlier a joint problem is identified, the more treatment options may be available.
"The less damage that's present when we first evaluate the joint, the better opportunity we have to preserve it," Dr. Watters says.
Not sure what the difference is? Here's a simple comparison:
Joint Preservation | Joint Replacement |
|---|---|
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Treatment depends on the joint, the amount of damage and your activity level.
Community's Center for Joint Health offers advanced cartilage restoration procedures, including:
"It's similar to planting grass seed," Dr. Watters explains. "We collect healthy cartilage cells, grow more of them and place them back into the damaged area."
For some patients with hip pain, minimally invasive procedures may help preserve the natural joint.
These may include:
Many patients ask whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem-cell treatments can regrow cartilage.
According to Dr. Watters, the answer is no. "PRP and stem cells may help reduce inflammation or improve some soft-tissue injuries, but they do not regenerate cartilage."
While these treatments may help manage symptoms in certain situations, patients should be cautious about claims that promise cartilage regrowth.
Consider getting evaluated if you have:
"Swelling in a joint is never normal," says Dr. Watters. "It's your body's way of telling you something deserves attention."
Not every patient with joint pain needs surgery.
An orthopedic evaluation can help determine:
"Patients are the captains of their own ship," Dr. Watters says. "My role is to explain the options, along with pros and cons, and help guide them toward the decision that fits their goals."
The specialists at Community's Center for Joint Health provide personalized care for hip pain, knee pain, arthritis and cartilage injuries.
Jason Watters, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Community Health Network who specializes in hip and knee replacement, shoulder replacement, and orthopedic trauma care. He earned his medical degree and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Dr. Watters became interested in medicine at an early age and was drawn to orthopedic surgery because of its ability to help people regain mobility and return to the activities they enjoy. Today, he focuses on helping patients understand their condition, explore all available treatment options and make decisions that align with their goals.
One of the most rewarding parts of his work is seeing patients who were once limited by pain return to everyday activities with improved function and quality of life.
Dr. Watters is accepting new patients and is available for appointments at Community Physician Network orthopedic specialty care offices in Westfield and Kokomo.
