3. “ Evidence of primary ankle (kaki) osteoarthritis has been discovered in dinosaurs, the first known traces of human arthritis date back as far as 4500 BC” [3]. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is extremely painful in progressed cases [2]. The cartilage in the joint starts to wear down, and in a knee, the cartilage is a crucial part of compact and friction [4]. BACKGROUND “ Osteoarthritis affects nearly 21 million people in the US” [1].
4. Symptoms Joint stiffness Pain Tenderness Limited Range of Motion (ROM) Swelling Bony protrusions Crunchy noises when moved(Palpable)
5. Treatments 1) Pain Relievers (NSAID’s) NSAID’s -Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Examples: Celebrex, Naproxen, Ibuprofen or Tylenol 3) Arthroplasty The name for a total knee, or joint replacement [5]. This surgery is only recommended if the patient has severe, intolerable pain, and is significantly limiting the knee from movement 2) Arthroscopy A surgery that is small and uses a telescope, called an Arthroscope. Doctors can see how advanced the osteoarthritis is and can cut down the dead or torn away cartilage in the knee.
7. Testimonies of Bruce Weber (My Dad) Q: What kinds of medications did you take for the pain? A: “Celebrex was the one that worked the best.” Q: How many surgeries have you had? What kinds? A: “5…3 arthroscopies and 2 knee replacements.” Q: What was the worst surgery you’ve had? A: “Knee replacements.” Q: How big are your scars from the Arthroscopy? Knee replacements? A: “About 1 inch and 6 inches” Q: Would you recommend anything to someone who might be having troubles with this disease right now? A: “Exercise! Learn exercises that are good for the knees that will strengthen them before surgery and in general. Lose extra weight to keep impact low and the pain down.”
8. Cost of Treatment With the insurance that my dad has, the two knee replacements only cost him around $7,000 altogether and the medications were costing him around $600 a year making his grand total in a year only $7,600. If a person does not have insurance, the medication would probably be around $50 more a year ($650) and the surgeries would be around $34,000 each. This person’s grand total would be around$68,650 for a year. GET INSURANCE!!
