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Young Adult Joint Replacement
August 23, 2009 |
It’s not just an aging problem.
Doctors say there’s a new category of people complaining
of bone and joint problems. “These patients are young and otherwise healthy and
want a better quality of life,” says Dr. Charles Springer, an orthopedic surgeon
on the medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.
He is quick to add the pain could come from a variety of places. “Part of it is
not necessarily the standard osteoarthritis or wear and tear arthirits, it could
be traumatic arthritis. It could be patients with vascular neurcosis where the bone
dies and the joint fails in that respect.” Carrying extra weight can also contribute
to aches and pains.
Dr. Springer will prescribe various therapies and treatments before considering
joint replacement surgery. He says younger patients are sometimes willing to undergo
the surgery. “After trying other treatment modalities, and finding that they haven’t
really satisfied them, they want to get on with their lives,” explains Dr. Springer.
Childhood related sports injuries are the most common reason that surgeons are seeing
more 20 and 30 year olds with joint problems.
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