Dr Anil Mishra, Orthopedic Doctor in South Delhi, Orthopedic Surgeon

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissues at the end of bones wear down. It is also called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. It affects joints and occurs generally in the knees, hips, hands, feet, and spine. Cartilage is a soft rubbery material that covers the end of each bone. In Osteoarthritis, the cartilage that provides a gliding surface for joint’s motion and acts as a cushion between the joints breaks down and causes pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. Osteoarthritis can occur in people of all ages but is most common in people older than 65. As Osteoarthritis worsens over time, the cartilage breaks down and causing pain and swelling and bones may break down eventually and develop growths called bone spurs. An inflammatory process occurs in the body due to which certain proteins (also known as cytokines) and enzyme develop that further damages the cartilage. In the final stages of os...

The prospect of walking around with metal implants in your knee or hip joint raises anxiety in patients that are required to undergo joint replacement surgery due to the myths they have heard about it. Patients can decide whether or not joint replacement is a good choice for them after reading the below-mentioned myths and the truth behind them. I'm too young for a joint replacement surgery:  Age does not determine whether the patient is a good candidate for the surgery or not rather it depends on the level of disability or how much pain the patient suffers from. In the past, the lifespan of joint replacements was limited but with the advancement of technology, the longevity of replacement parts have improved and it’s viable to put them in younger patients. Now, patients with severe arthritis don’t have to bear the excruciating pain for years before undergoing joint replacement surgery just because they’re young. You should delay as long as possible, before hav...

Total knee replacements have come a long way. Afterwards, people no longer lay in a hospital bed for three weeks; instead, they generally begin walking at home within a day of the procedure. Of course, recovery still takes time. But it may surprise you to see how quickly that time passes after outpatient surgery, which is an option for some people. 1. Less pain You won’t need a pain pump for self-administered medications or IV painkillers with outpatient surgery. Instead, you’ll get a spinal injection that numbs you from the waist down for two hours. A long-lasting local anaesthetic will help control your pain for up to two days afterwards. 2. Lower infection risk Spending less time in the hospital lowers the chances of infection in your surgery site. 3. Better recovery at home Leaving the hospital means you get to recuperate in the comfort of your own home. You’ll progress better in a familiar environment where you’re more likely to get a good night’s sle...