Hip And Knee Replacement
Don’t Be Another Statistic!
By Maryilyn Arthurs
It’s no secret that as we grow older, the wear and tear on our joints and limbs is unavoidable. So it’s not surprising that given Canada’s ageing population, hip and knee replacements are on the increase.
What is surprising, however, is the soaring and dramatic rise in the number of these operations being carried out over the past decade. Admittedly, this is due in part to improvements in medical research and surgical procedures, but unfortunately other factors are contributing to the dramatic statistics in the growing need for hip and knee replacements.
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), statistics for 1994/5 showed that 31,463 Canadians were hospitalized for hip and knee replacements. By 2004/5, just 10 years later, that figure had soared to 58,714. That’s a massive 87% increase.
The CIHI also states that the number of knee replacements has more than doubled, increasing by 125%, while the number of hip replacements has increased by over 50%. Interestingly, knee replacements have been steadily increasing over hip replacements, and Ontario has one of the highest rates in this category.
What is really worrying is that patients are getting younger. While the majority of patients still tend to be 75 to 84 years of age, in the 45- to 54-year-old age group knee replacements have more than doubled among males and almost tripled among females.
What is really frustrating is that the causes appear to be of our own making, and if we don’t wake up and change our lifestyles, the problem can only get worse. Obesity, inactivity and poor eating habits are all contributing to brittle bones, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis – the causes of joint pain and bone deterioration.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that the solution, at least in part, is within our grasp – if we start now. And while we may not be able to avoid all hip and knee replacements, we might at least be able to reduce the statistics, ease the problem and delay the surgical solution for longer.
Let’s start with the weight issue, a very worrying problem in Canada, as in many western countries. According to CIHI, those who are overweight or obese are more likely to need a joint replacement. Canadian statistics show that in 2004/5, nine out of 10 patients requiring knee replacements were either overweight or obese; for hip replacements the figure was eight out of 10. And when it comes to knee replacements, says the CIHI, women fare the worst, accounting for 60% of patients.
Clearly, we need to address this problem. Lack of exercise, fast food, junk food and just too much food are all taking a major toll on the nation’s health. We are in danger of becoming one of the youngest generations in history to be forced by our own self-indulgence into a life of inactivity, ironically largely because of our own tendency to eat too much of the wrong food and then fail to work it off through exercise and activity.
The damage we are doing to ourselves is frightening, unnecessary and – if we don’t do something about it soon – irreversible and inevitable. What a waste!
How can you help your joints and bones?
Don’t simply dismiss joint pain as an inevitable result of getting older. Regular exercise, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can all help to ease pain and stiffness. Some supplements can even help to prevent bone deterioration and help the body to rebuild bone strength. Here are a few tips from HL to set you on the road to healthy joints and bones.
• If you’re overweight, make a real effort to shed those extra pounds, a little at a time. Your bones will thank you for it and gradually you’ll be able to move around more easily and with less pain.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking significantly increases the risk of brittle bones.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Avoid caffeine – and that means not just coffee and tea, but also chocolate and soft drinks.
• Eat a variety of foods. ‘Eat the rainbow’ is a good maxim, as it encourages the consumption of all colours of food – from dark green to red to orange to yellow.
• Eat less fat and more fruit and vegetables.
• Turmeric contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory which can ease the discomfort of stiff joints.
• Ginger can also reduce joint pain.
• Drink plenty of water. Many of us are slightly dehydrated without knowing it, and bones hate to be dehydrated.
• Reduce your salt and sugar intake. A lot of foods we eat already contain salt and sugar naturally, and many have these substances added.
• Get active. Do some form of exercise, starting out easily and building up gradually. A bit of housework, light gardening or a gentle stroll around the block is a great way to start. The key is to keep it going.
• Take a supplement. Glucosamine helps to strengthen cartilage, while cod liver oil contains bone-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, and devil’s claw acts as a natural painkiller to ease joint inflammation.
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