Joint problems can happen to anyone, at any age. Fortunately, there is a solution designed to bring relief to people suffering from a wide range of related conditions.
Whether it’s chronic soreness or just an injury from a recent tumble, pain needs to be treated. Surgery is an option but it should be the last. There are plenty of other options that are simpler and less invasive.
Fortunately, for the vast majority of patients, a combination of a proper diet, frequent exercise, physical therapy, medications and injections will reduce the problem to a manageable level.
The Orthopedics Program
The orthopedics program has a spectrum of expertise that earned DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital and DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital a reputation for excellence in the field of bone and joint disorders.
The orthopedic specialties include:
- Osteoporosis prevention and treatment
- Preventive orthopedic care and education
- Joint replacement
Joint Revision Arthroscopy
The progressive, highly skilled orthopedic specialists can help patients suffering from joint pain to be more flexible, mobile and agile, all while focusing on preserving more of the natural bone. It is our goal to help patients experience and enjoy their lives to the fullest. Preventive care and education and leading-edge technology, combined with vast expertise, enables DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital and DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital to deliver the most advanced care for every musculoskeletal condition.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Joint Pain
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the immune system, which is designed to defend the body against foreign cells such as bacteria and viruses. Rheumatoid Arthritis attacks the body’s tissue. Symptoms include swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints. If you think you may have rheumatoid arthritis, you should consult with your physician immediately. Early detection is the key to a healthy life.
What is osteoarthritis and why does my hip/knee hurt?
Joint cartilage is a tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones where joints are located. It helps cushion the bones during movement. Because it is smooth and slippery, it allows for motion with minimal friction. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a wear and tear condition that causes joint cartilage to deteriorate. Sometimes, as the result of trauma, repetitive movement, or for no apparent reason, the cartilage wears down, exposing bone ends. This can occur quickly over months or may take years to occur. Cartilage deterioration can result in painful bone-on-bone contact, as well as swelling and loss of motion. Osteoarthritis usually occurs later in life and may affect only one joint or many joints.
When do you need a joint replacement?
Joint Replacement surgery is an option when medications and non-surgical treatments are not effective. Surgery is the last option to relieve the pain of your aching joints.
What options are available for joint replacement?
1) Ceramic hip replacement
In conventional metal-on-plastic joints, the metal begins to wear down the plastic after about 15 years, requiring the need for a second hip replacement.
Ceramic hip replacements were developed in an effort to decrease the wearing out of hip implants. They are very hard and very smooth. These characteristics help decrease the amount of wear within the implants. In the traditional metal and plastic hip replacements, the plastic wears out slowly over time. As the plastic wears out, small particles of plastic debris are generated. This plastic debris triggers a response from the body which can lead to loosening of the implants over time. A total hip replacement is an operation that removes the arthritic ball of the upper femur (thighbone) as well as damaged bone and cartilage from the hip socket. The ball is replaced with a metal ball that is fixed solidly inside the femur. The socket is replaced with a plastic or metal liner that is usually affixed inside a metal shell to create a smoothly functioning joint.
2) Birmingham Hip Resurfacing
Rather than replacing the entire hip joint, centimeters of the bone are shaved and capped, so more of the patient’s natural bone structure and stability are retained. The Birmingham implant provides 98 percent less wear than a traditional hip implant, reduction in the risk of dislocation and inaccurate leg length, reduced recovery time and reduced need for a second surgery.
3) Total knee replacement
A total knee replacement involves removing the affected portion of the bone and cartilage and replacing it with an artificial material. The actual knee is not replaced. However, an implant is inserted on the end of the bones. A metal alloy is placed on the femur and a plastic spacer is placed on the tibia and patella (kneecap). This creates a smooth cushion, allowing the joint to function properly while reducing or eliminating pain.
4) Partial knee replacement
A partial knee replacement is an operation that repairs one or two compartments in the knee. An implant is inserted after the damaged compartment is removed.
What are the results of a hip replacement?
The results of hip replacement vary depending on the quality of the surrounding tissue and the severity of the arthritis. It also depends on the patient following the doctor’s orders and how active the patient is after the surgery.
What are the results of total knee replacement?
The results of total knee replacement vary depending on the quality of the surrounding tissue and the severity of the arthritis. It also depends on the patient following the doctor’s orders and how active the patient is after the surgery.
What is Joint Camp?
Recent studies show that patients who experience a group setting prepare better, recover faster and are more compliant with their rehab therapy. At Detroit Receiving Hospital, we have developed a Joint Camp program. Patients and their coaches learn about the surgery and recovery process. Then the campers/patients have their surgeries scheduled close to the same time, and attend inpatient rehab sessions together. The advantages of Joint Camp are faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, less anxiety, less pain and few, if any, complications.
Joint Awareness
Joints form the connections between your bones, provide support and help you to physically move. Any damage to the joints from disease or injury can interfere with your movement and cause a lot of pain.
Many different conditions can lead to painful joints. Joint pain is extremely common and can range from mildly irritating to debilitating. The pain may go away after a few weeks, or last for several weeks or months. Even short-term pain and swelling in the joints can affect your quality of life. Whatever the cause of joint pain, you can usually manage it with medication, physical therapy or alternative treatments.
Keep Your Joints Healthy
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Build muscle and strengthen your core muscles. Strong muscles support your joins and healthy abdominal muscles help with balance and preventing falls.
- Know your limits. Avoid exercises/activities that put too much stress and strain on your joints. Swimming is a great low impact exercise to try.
- Don’t slouch. Proper posture protects your hips (along with your back), not to mention it helps the joints in the neck and knees too.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet. This will help build strong bones.
- Ice it. Ice is a great drug-free pain reliever that helps with swelling as well.
WXYZ Web Chat Orthopedic Experts
Hussein Darwiche, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital
Dr. Hussein Darwiche received a fellowship in advanced orthopedic techniques at a hospital in Boston. He completed his undergraduate and medical degrees at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He pursued his orthopedic internship at the hospitals of the DMC and completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Darwiche participated in several research programs during his residency and won several awards during his medical school years. He completed the prestigious Otto Aufranc Fellowship in Adult Reconstruction Surgery at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Darwiche’s specialties include: tissue-preserving surgery, arthroscopy, aggressive physical theraph, expedited post op care and access to Joint Camp.
Thanks to advances in treatment, people with joint pain may enjoy relief with a partial- or full-joint replacement. All of Dr. Darwiche’s patients are eligible for Joint Camp, a group experience that is educational and provides a number of advantages. Joint Camp patients experience less pain, few, if any, complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.
Dr. Darwiche’s offices are located at DMC Detroit Receiving. A Dearborn location will be announced soon.
To request an appointment with Dr. Darwiche, please call (313) 745-1315 or click here for more information.
Phillip Schmitt, DO, Orthopedic Surgeon, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital
Dr. Schmitt received his medical degree from Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his orthopedic surgery residency in Oklahoma City and served as a fellow at Boston University, Boston City Hospital. He is a partner with Specialists in Orthopedic Surgery in Commerce Township, Michigan.
Dr. Schmitt’s area of specialty is general orthopedics and Birmingham hip resurfacing. He was the first surgeon in Michigan to perform the Birmingham hip resurfacing procedure—an alternative to a total hip replacement that buffs away the rough damaged surface of the hip joint bones and replaces them with more durable, high-carbide cobalt chrome. He is also listed as one of the top physicians in the country (number one in Michigan) in terms of volume for performing the Birmingham hip resurfacing.
Dr. Schmitt is board certified through the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgeons and professionally has served on the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics Board in various capacities since 2003. He was the recipient of the Community Member of the Year Award presented by DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in 2008 and also serves as a team physician for Huron Valley Schools.
To request an appointment with Dr. Schmitt, please call (248) 937-4947 or click here for more information.