If the pain caused by osteoarthritis is casting a shadow over your daily life, curbing your ability to relish simple pleasures and participate in activities you once cherished, it’s probably also adding to your stress levels.
Did you know that delaying joint replacement surgery due to apprehension can inadvertently trigger a dangerous cycle that sets off a series of health complications? In this article, I am going to address the intricate connection between stress, inflammation, and various health risks. Moreover, I will shed light on the potential advantages of timely joint replacement and the innovative techniques for multi-modal pain control. And if you are one of my regular readers, know that this article comes from the heart … and from experience. I waited 38 years bone on bone for more than 20 before having a knee replacement with Dr Gregory Hicken, a prominent authority on robotic joint replacement who has used most every robot released for use by the FDA.
Looking back on the decision to get “on the table” rather than my favorite place, (standing next to it passing instruments and assisting in surgery), I can tell you one thing: Don’t wait!!!!! Life is so much easier now and so much more enjoyable. But looking back, I wonder how much other damage I did by allowing the stress and cortisol to take control.
Now with the 30-year oxinum implants from Smith+Nephew, you can have joint replacement surgery sooner without worrying you’ll need to do it again in 15-20 years.
When stress strikes, your body’s reaction is complex and far-reaching. The brain’s hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary and adrenal glands, prompting the release of cortisol, popularly known as the “stress hormone.” While this reaction is designed to help you cope with threats, prolonged stress can lead to detrimental consequences.
For older individuals, the surge in cortisol is intensified and persists for a longer duration. Studies affirm that cortisol wields a more potent impact on older adults than their younger counterparts. It escalates inflammation, weakens muscle signaling, and may even hinder simple tasks like climbing stairs. Chronic exposure to heightened cortisol levels can elevate the risk of developing dementia and disrupt the immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infections.
Cortisol is also what is a trigger for spikes in blood sugar, and increased belly fat. So if you have been diagnosed is pre-diabetic and want to get all the way to “diabetic” raising cortisol levels are a great way to make it happen. That will lead to higher infection risk and many other problems including vision problems, skin problems, healing problems, and more.
Postponing surgery due to fear can exacerbate pain, triggering higher cortisol release, inflammation, and a spectrum of potential health threats. This cycle can plunge you into a whirlpool of consequences that are best avoided.
Choosing to undergo joint replacement surgery for osteoarthritis can be intimidating, but understanding that this procedure has the potential to break the chain of stress-induced health complications is crucial. On Monday, we had a patient scheduled for knee replacement surgery. He was damn near impossible to deal with. But I reminded the staff that we had to show compassion. He really wasn’t “himself”. His wife had a terrible experience with surgery a year before with a different surgeon and no robotic assistance, and her pain after surgery scared the daylights out of him. His neediness and intense management pre-operatively was simply fear. Nothing was going to fix it until he got to Tuesday after surgery.
Postponing surgery due to fear can exacerbate pain, triggering higher cortisol release, inflammation, and a spectrum of potential health threats. This cycle can plunge you into a whirlpool of consequences that are best avoided.
Joint replacement surgery offers an opportunity to reclaim your life and relish the activities that once brought you joy. Picture yourself strolling, exercising, and engaging in hobbies free from the constant burden of pain. Moreover, by confronting osteoarthritis through surgery, you can potentially halt the sequence of stress-related health problems.
One prevalent concern about joint replacement surgery is the prospect of post-operative pain and the likelihood of depending on opioids. Contemporary pain management techniques that we use in our practice have evolved to offer a balanced and efficient approach. Multi-modal pain control involves blending various methods to alleviate pain while curbing the necessity for opioids and their attendant side effects.
Multi-modal pain control includes non-opioid pain relievers, nerve blocks, anti-inflammatory medications, cold compression therapy, the use of a home exercise device (ROMTech), and physical therapy. By employing a blend of these strategies, you can experience effective pain relief without the “fuzzy” aftermath linked with opioids. In most cases, opioids are reserved for breakthrough pain, signifying intense pain that exceeds the regular pain management regimen.
Navigating the decision to proceed with joint replacement surgery can be overwhelming, particularly when compounded with concerns about stress-triggered health risks. However, remember that deferring treatment can ignite a cycle of escalating issues. By confronting osteoarthritis through surgery and embracing multi-modal pain control approaches, you can break free from the clutches of pain, inflammation, and stress-fueled complications.
Your voyage toward a pain-free life necessitates a commitment to your well-being and a willingness to explore novel avenues for pain management. With the support of medical professionals, you can stride confidently through this journey, secure in the knowledge that you are steering toward a brighter, healthier future. Embrace the chance to rediscover activities that once brought you delight and consider venturing into uncharted territories. Joint replacement surgery holds the key to unlocking a life brimming with comfort, vitality, and jubilation.
If you live in a location where there is no robotic technology, whether you are insured or uninsured, it would be my pleasure to help you get access to Dr Hicken for a telehealth consultation, the CORI robotic technology, the 30-year implants, and help you navigate through the maze of insurance coverage or get you a cash pay discount so that your surgery costs less than $20,000, all in.
It would also be our pleasure to arrange to fly you and an adult companion to St George, Utah arranged at no cost, if necessary, even if you live far away from the nearest commercial airport hub. We have already arranged discounts on hotel at a new Holiday Inn nearby for the 3-4 nights you’ll be with us. And we will arrange your ground transfers from airport to hotel to the clinic, to the surgery center, and back.
Let’s start your research about how to help you, today. We don’t charge a penny for the logistics coordination. We’d rather do it because then we are informed of all your details.
And now hip replacements are also done with the same technology, same quality of oxinium implants, and are also priced below $20,000 all in for cash pay patients. All major insurance plans are accepted and if you have Medicare and a supplement, chances are your biggest expense will be your hotel bill at $89 a night for 3-4 nights.
Call me today to learn more (435) 523-3378.
Before you call, watch this video where Dr Gregory Hicken explains the robotic hip and knee replacement procedure and the robotic technology he uses, so you can understand more before talking to him.
Robotic Orthopaedic Institute St George, LLC
1490 East Foremaster Drive, Ste 260
St George, UT 84790
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