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Many of us procrastinate when it comes to our health and we tend to delay the in-
evitable. Maybe the knee pain started while gardening or playing on the floor with
a child. Unfortunately, what started as a minor discomfort can turn into excruciating
pain and it can affect our quality of life.
The knee is the most common joint replaced and surgery replaces diseased or dam-
aged parts of the femur (thighbone) and tibia (lower leg bone) and worn cartilage.
There are many diseases and types of injuries that can affect the knee. When knee
pain and inflammation limit your everyday activities and do not go away while rest-
ing, day or night, there is a problem.
Masking pain with over-the-counter medicines is not always the best long-term solu-
tion. After examination from a primary care physician, patients are referred to an
orthopedic surgeon who specializes in degenerative and acute joint conditions of
the knee as a result of trauma, illness or aging.
If you are having problems with your knee, ignoring it will not make the issue go
away. It is all about the right intervention, given at the right time. Visiting your phy-
sician to get the knee checked is the best thing to do. Many patients come in with
concerns about one part of their knee and find that they do not need surgery. Non-
surgical interventions may include braces and medications. When all other options
are exhausted, knee replacement may be appropriate for some patients.
Robotic surgery can improve outcomes because computer navigation gives sur-
geons more control over accuracy in resecting the bone. A patient's soft tissue is
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BUSINESS MATTERS
AUGUST 2017