Joint Damage Symptoms and Orthopedic Care at Bethsaida Hospital Serang
Knee pain when climbing stairs or hip discomfort during walks often gets dismissed as a normal part of aging, but persistent symptoms can indicate joint damage such as osteoarthritis, tangerangnews.com reported. Joint degeneration occurs when the cartilage cushioning bones breaks down gradually, leading to stiffness and restricted movement.
The condition affects individuals beyond older adults. People carrying excess weight, those with previous injuries, or individuals who repeatedly pressure their joints face elevated risks. Additional triggers include inflammatory joint diseases, fractures, and disrupted blood flow to bones, according to Dr. Yosia Handoko, an orthopedic and traumatology specialist at Bethsaida Hospital Serang.
Recognize Signs Requiring Medical Evaluation for Joint Damage
Joint issues require medical evaluation when they disrupt daily activities. Hip damage typically manifests as pain in the groin, hip, or thigh region, accompanied by trouble walking or moving the leg. Knee damage triggers discomfort during standing, walking, or stair climbing, alongside stiffness, swelling, and bowing legs shaped like an O or an X.
Joint pain that continues to recur and begins to limit activity needs to be examined to determine the cause and extent of the damage.
Dr. Yosia said, noting that accurate evaluation helps preserve movement and patient quality of life. Doctors perform physical assessments and utilize imaging tools like X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging when necessary.
Consider Conservative Care Before Surgical Joint Replacement
Surgery is not always necessary for joint damage. Initial management often involves pain relievers, physical therapy, muscle strengthening exercises, activity modification, and weight control. Joint replacement surgery is considered only when damage is severe and conservative care fails.
Surgical procedures include Total Hip Replacement and Total Knee Replacement. Total Hip Replacement substitutes damaged femoral heads and hip socket surfaces with artificial implants, serving patients with severe hip wear, blood-flow bone damage, or specific fractures. Total Knee Replacement swaps damaged knee surfaces connecting the thigh and shin bones with artificial components for severe knee wear, chronic arthritis, or injury damage.
THR is performed on the hip joint, while TKR is performed on the knee joint.
Dr. Yosia explained, adding that both approaches reduce pain and restore joint function.
Recover Strength Through Post-Surgical Orthopedic Rehabilitation
Post-surgical rehabilitation helps patients recover muscle strength, joint flexibility, and walking ability over time. Bethsaida Hospital Serang operates an Orthopaedi & Trauma Center equipped with X-ray, 128-slice CT scan, 1.5 Tesla MRI, operating theaters, and medical rehabilitation facilities.
For us, the success of treatment is not only measured by the reduction of pain, but also by the patient’s ability to move again, maintain independence, and live a better quality of life.
Dr. Tirta Mulya Juandi, director of Bethsaida Hospital Serang, said regarding the comprehensive approach to bone and joint care.
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