Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

World Arthritis Day - Arthritis At 42, 62 & Even 15: How Treatment & Rehabilitation Help Patients Regain Mobility

<span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/arthritis">Arthritis</a></span> can affect people at different stages of life, limiting their ability to walk, climb stairs or carry out everyday activities with ease. While treatment largely depends on the extent of joint damage and the patient's condition, treatment approaches ranging from joint-preserving surgery to knee and hip replacement can help restore mobility. Rehabilitation still remains an essential part of recovery. 

On <span>World <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/arthritis">Arthritis</a> Day</span>, doctors explain how arthritis is treated and managed at different ages using real-life cases and highlighting how they assess joint damage, choose strategies and use physiotherapy to help patients return to their routines. 

<h2>Knee Preservation Before Replacement </h2>

A 42-year-old man with grade 3 <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-knuckle-cracking-cause-arthritis-article-151074577" data-type="tilCustomLink">osteoarthritis</a> in his right knee had been experiencing pain and locking. His symptoms began after a knee injury six years earlier and worsened with time. X-rays revealed marked varus alignment, cartilage and meniscus damage. Earlier consultations had suggested <span>knee replacement</span>, but given his age, doctors opted for knee preservation surgery. 

<strong>Dr. Tapish Ravindra Shukla, Consultant <span rel="noindex">Orthopaedics</span> and Sports Medicine, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar</strong>, told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong> that he performed three procedures in a single sitting: high tibial osteotomy to correct alignment and shift weight away from the damaged inner compartment, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) to treat the cartilage defect, and meniscus repair. 

The patient walked with a walker for approximately three weeks, began jogging at six weeks and was running by three months. 

The case brings us to an important point, i.e., assessing whether a damaged joint can be preserved, especially in younger patients who may otherwise face joint replacement early in life.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/arthritis-day-stanford-researchers-explore-possibility-to-treat-osteoarthritis-without-knee-replacement-surgery-article-156323096" data-type="tilCustomLink">Arthritis Day: Stanford Researchers Explore Possibility To Treat Osteoarthritis Without Knee Replacement Surgery</a>

<h2>When Hip Replacement Becomes Necessary? </h2>

In another case, a patient developed pain in both hips after recovering from a major head injury. During prolonged rehabilitation, he had received steroids and anti-epileptic medication for an extended period. He was subsequently diagnosed with bilateral avascular necrosis, a condition in which compromised blood supply damages bone and can lead to joint destruction. 

Initially, doctors performed core decompression to relieve pressure within the affected bone and attempt to preserve the joints. The patient experienced relief and continued his routine activities for nearly two years. 

However, following a minor slip and fall, the pain returned. Further evaluation and X-rays showed significant progression of arthritis, prompting a recommendation for total <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/is-your-back-causing-you-knee-pain-article-151212786" data-type="tilCustomLink">hip replacement</a>. 

<strong>Dr. P Keerthivasan, Senior Consultant and Spine Surgeon, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai</strong>, explained to us the importance of understanding the condition, accepting when treatment needs to change and planning for recovery. Following hip replacement, the patient began mobilising the next day and progressed well during the immediate recovery period. 

The case illustrates that joint-preserving procedures may provide relief in selected patients, but progressive joint damage can make replacement necessary.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/joint-pain-in-your-30s-and-40s-when-should-you-worry-article-156321171" data-type="tilCustomLink">Joint Pain In Your 30s And 40s: When Should You Worry?</a> 

<h2>Knee Replacement To Improve Quality Of Life </h2>

A 65-year-old woman with osteoarthritis in both knees had severe pain and difficulty walking, climbing stairs and performing daily activities. She had become dependent on painkillers, raising concerns about potential kidney damage with prolonged use. Doctors recommended total <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/a-small-tweak-in-your-daily-walk-can-protect-your-knees-from-osteoarthritis-article-152483574" data-type="tilCustomLink">knee replacement</a>. 

<strong>Dr. Rishabh Tiwari, Consultant (JR), Orthopaedics, and Dr. Vivek Allahbadia, Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery, P.D. Hinduja Hospital &amp; Medical Research Centre, Khar</strong>, treated the patient using a minimally invasive technique in which the tendon was lifted rather than cut. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was also preserved. 

According to the doctors, these approaches can help reduce postoperative pain, limit bone loss and provide a more natural feel to the replaced knee. 

The patient could lift her leg on the night of surgery. The following day, she was walking with full weight-bearing, bending and straightening her knee, and using the washroom independently. Training to climb stairs began on the second day, and she was discharged that day. 

At one-and-a-half months, she could perform daily activities without pain and travel independently to nearby friends and relatives. The case stresses upon how surgical technique and early mobilisation can contribute to a patient's return to everyday activities. 

In another case of knee replacement, a 62-year-old woman with severe osteoarthritis in both knees had spent nearly four years avoiding stairs, temples and long walks with her grandchildren. Pain, stiffness and fear of falling had increasingly restricted her activities. “She stopped joining family outings because I couldn’t keep up,” she told her doctor. 

<strong>Dr. Bhushan Shitole, Consultant <span rel="noindex">Orthopaedic Surgeon</span> and Director at Vencer Hospital</strong>, told us that he recommended robotic-assisted total knee replacement using an imageless robotic system. The technology creates a three-dimensional plan of the joint before surgery and helps the surgeon plan implant positioning according to the patient's anatomy. 

“Robotic planning lets us match the implant to the patient’s unique anatomy so the first steps after surgery are already better aligned,” Dr. Shitole said. “That first confident walk is often the real turning point.” 

Following surgery, the patient began walking with minimal support within days. Structured physiotherapy focused on strength, balance and gait training. By the end of the first month, she was moving independently at home. Three months later, she boarded a cruise she had postponed. 

“The robot didn’t just replace my <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fda-approves-new-drug-for-rare-disorder-that-turns-muscles-into-bone-what-is-fibrodysplasia-ossificans-progressiva-article-156235846" data-type="tilCustomLink">knee</a>. It gave her back the confidence to live the life she wanted,” Dr. Shitole said. 

The case highlights that recovery involves more than replacing the damaged joint. Regaining balance, strength and confidence is also central to returning to normal activities.

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Arthritis and joint destruction are not restricted to older adults. A 15-year-old boy with Morquio syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting skeletal development, developed severe arthritis in both hips. Pain and complex hip deformities made walking and everyday activities difficult. 

Because of his small skeletal anatomy and the complexity of the deformities, doctors opted for staged bilateral hip replacements. The surgical team used CT scans to create a three-dimensional printed model of the pelvis and specialised R.I Hip software to simulate the procedures virtually. This helped them select correct sized implants, plan positioning and anticipate physiological challenges. 

The two hip replacements were performed three days apart. The boy was able to stand and walk with support the day after each procedure. 

The treating doctor, <strong>Dr. Vaibhav Bagaria, Director, Orthopaedics- Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai</strong>, told us that rehabilitation played a huge role. 

“A successful joint replacement restores the mechanics of movement, but rehabilitation helps restore the confidence to move. Both are equally important for meaningful recovery, ” he said. 

Physiotherapy focused on progressive walking, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/mens-health-mastering-stiff-leg-deadlifts-article-151048353" data-type="tilCustomLink">muscle strengthening</a>, balance and functional independence, with the programme tailored to the boy's underlying skeletal condition. 

The case also highlights the additional considerations involved in treating young patients, including implant longevity and the possibility of revision surgery in the future. 

Across these cases, treatment ranged from procedures intended to preserve a joint to partial or total replacement of severely damaged joints. The choice depended on the patient's age, the extent of joint destruction, associated conditions and the likelihood of preserving function. 

Rehabilitation was central to each case. Early mobilisation helped patients use their joints after surgery, while physiotherapy helped with strength, balance, walking and daily independence.

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Arthritis can affect people at different stages of life, limiting their ability to walk, climb stairs or carry out everyday activities with ease. While treatment largely depends on the extent of joint damage and the patient's condition, treatment approaches ranging from joint-preserving surgery to knee and hip replacement can help restore mobility. Rehabilitation still remains an essential part of recovery. On World Arthritis Day, doctors explain how arthritis is treated and managed at different ages using real-life cases and highlighting how they assess joint damage, choose strategies and use physiotherapy to help patients return to their routines. Knee Preservation Before Replacement A 42-year-old man with grade 3 osteoarthritis in his right knee had been experiencing pain and locking. His symptoms began after a knee injury six years earlier and worsened with time. X-rays revealed marked varus alignment, cartilage and meniscus damage. Earlier consultations had suggested knee replacement, but given his age, doctors opted for knee preservation surgery. Dr. Tapish Ravindra Shukla, Consultant Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar, told HealthandMe that he performed three procedures in a single sitting: high tibial osteotomy to correct alignment and shift weight away from the damaged inner compartment, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) to treat the cartilage defect, and meniscus repair. The patient walked with a walker for approximately three weeks, began jogging at six weeks and was running by three months. The case brings us to an important point, i.e., assessing whether a damaged joint can be preserved, especially in younger patients who may otherwise face joint replacement early in life.Also read: Arthritis Day: Stanford Researchers Explore Possibility To Treat Osteoarthritis Without Knee Replacement SurgeryWhen Hip Replacement Becomes Necessary? In another case, a patient developed pain in both hips after recovering from a major head injury. During prolonged rehabilitation, he had received steroids and anti-epileptic medication for an extended period. He was subsequently diagnosed with bilateral avascular necrosis, a condition in which compromised blood supply damages bone and can lead to joint destruction. Initially, doctors performed core decompression to relieve pressure within the affected bone and attempt to preserve the joints. The patient experienced relief and continued his routine activities for nearly two years. However, following a minor slip and fall, the pain returned. Further evaluation and X-rays showed significant progression of arthritis, prompting a recommendation for total hip replacement. Dr. P Keerthivasan, Senior Consultant and Spine Surgeon, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai, explained to us the importance of understanding the condition, accepting when treatment needs to change and planning for recovery. Following hip replacement, the patient began mobilising the next day and progressed well during the immediate recovery period. The case illustrates that joint-preserving procedures may provide relief in selected patients, but progressive joint damage can make replacement necessary.Also read: Joint Pain In Your 30s And 40s: When Should You Worry? Knee Replacement To Improve Quality Of Life A 65-year-old woman with osteoarthritis in both knees had severe pain and difficulty walking, climbing stairs and performing daily activities. She had become dependent on painkillers, raising concerns about potential kidney damage with prolonged use. Doctors recommended total knee replacement. Dr. Rishabh Tiwari, Consultant (JR), Orthopaedics, and Dr. Vivek Allahbadia, Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Khar, treated the patient using a minimally invasive technique in which the tendon was lifted rather than cut. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was also preserved. According to the doctors, these approaches can help reduce postoperative pain, limit bone loss and provide a more natural feel to the replaced knee. The patient could lift her leg on the night of surgery. The following day, she was walking with full weight-bearing, bending and straightening her knee, and using the washroom independently. Training to climb stairs began on the second day, and she was discharged that day. At one-and-a-half months, she could perform daily activities without pain and travel independently to nearby friends and relatives. The case stresses upon how surgical technique and early mobilisation can contribute to a patient's return to everyday activities. In another case of knee replacement, a 62-year-old woman with severe osteoarthritis in both knees had spent nearly four years avoiding stairs, temples and long walks with her grandchildren. Pain, stiffness and fear of falling had increasingly restricted her activities. “She stopped joining family outings because I couldn’t keep up,” she told her doctor. Dr. Bhushan Shitole, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Director at Vencer Hospital, told us that he recommended robotic-assisted total knee replacement using an imageless robotic system. The technology creates a three-dimensional plan of the joint before surgery and helps the surgeon plan implant positioning according to the patient's anatomy. “Robotic planning lets us match the implant to the patient’s unique anatomy so the first steps after surgery are already better aligned,” Dr. Shitole said. “That first confident walk is often the real turning point.” Following surgery, the patient began walking with minimal support within days. Structured physiotherapy focused on strength, balance and gait training. By the end of the first month, she was moving independently at home. Three months later, she boarded a cruise she had postponed. “The robot didn’t just replace my knee. It gave her back the confidence to live the life she wanted,” Dr. Shitole said. The case highlights that recovery involves more than replacing the damaged joint. Regaining balance, strength and confidence is also central to returning to normal activities.             Severe Arthritis In Children Arthritis and joint destruction are not restricted to older adults. A 15-year-old boy with Morquio syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting skeletal development, developed severe arthritis in both hips. Pain and complex hip deformities made walking and everyday activities difficult. Because of his small skeletal anatomy and the complexity of the deformities, doctors opted for staged bilateral hip replacements. The surgical team used CT scans to create a three-dimensional printed model of the pelvis and specialised R.I Hip software to simulate the procedures virtually. This helped them select correct sized implants, plan positioning and anticipate physiological challenges. The two hip replacements were performed three days apart. The boy was able to stand and walk with support the day after each procedure. The treating doctor, Dr. Vaibhav Bagaria, Director, Orthopaedics- Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, told us that rehabilitation played a huge role. “A successful joint replacement restores the mechanics of movement, but rehabilitation helps restore the confidence to move. Both are equally important for meaningful recovery, ” he said. Physiotherapy focused on progressive walking, muscle strengthening, balance and functional independence, with the programme tailored to the boy's underlying skeletal condition. The case also highlights the additional considerations involved in treating young patients, including implant longevity and the possibility of revision surgery in the future. Across these cases, treatment ranged from procedures intended to preserve a joint to partial or total replacement of severely damaged joints. The choice depended on the patient's age, the extent of joint destruction, associated conditions and the likelihood of preserving function. Rehabilitation was central to each case. Early mobilisation helped patients use their joints after surgery, while physiotherapy helped with strength, balance, walking and daily independence.

world arthritis day - arthritis at 42, 62 & even 15: how treatment & rehabilitation help patients regain mobility

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World Arthritis Day - Arthritis At 42, 62 & Even 15: How Treatment & Rehabilitation Help Patients Regain Mobility

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World Arthritis Day - Arthritis At 42, 62 & Even 15: How Treatment & Rehabilitation Help Patients Regain Mobility

Flu Vaccine: Why October Is A Good Time To Get Your Family Vaccinated

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