Geoffrey Westrich, MD

Many people experience hip pain from time to time, especially if they lead an active lifestyle. A good deal of walking and hiking while on vacation or rushing to finish chores over the holidays can lead to a sore hip. People experience pain from overdoing it. Known as an “overuse injury,” it results from repetitive stress on the muscles, joints and tendons. Usually, the best way to deal with pain from overuse is to take it easy for a while. We advise patients to rest their hip, take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication as long as they don't have gastrointestinal issues, and apply ice or heat. If an aching hip doesn’t feel better in a week or so, a visit to a doctor for an orthopedic evaluation is usually in order.      Sometimes hip pain is a result of a something more serious than overuse, and the following symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor quickly or go to the emergency room:       ·     ...

  In the past year, four of my close friends or relatives have fallen in their home or at work. Two of them suffered broken bones. In the first instance, a friend of mine was getting ready for a trip to California and rushing around her apartment when she tripped over a pile of papers. She broke her wrist and needed surgery. She’s on the mend and doing well, but it could have been worse. Another friend was busy at work, and in her haste to get things done, she tripped on some steps and broke her foot. It’s been a long and difficult recovery. A relative who had back surgery about a year ago became distracted and fell in her walk-in closet. Luckily, she was OK. Finally, someone I know was adjusting her bath mat and slipped in the bathtub. Fortunately, she fell in such a way that she only sustained a bruise and some soreness. They all had something in common: they were either distracted or in a hurry. I can’t stress enough how dangerous a fall can be, especially for...

This month, I received a letter from a patient that just made me feel good. Most people have excellent outcomes after hip or knee replacement surgery, but it’s not every day that they write a letter to tell you about their experience.  Nancy, a teacher from Westchester, wrote a letter thanking me and the staff at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) for “a most successful and amazing experience.”   She had decided to have hip replacement due to intense pain that kept her up at night and made it difficult for her to do the job she loved. Nancy had tried physical therapy, but after 25 sessions and little pain relief, she thought it was time to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. She said three previous joint replacement patients had recommended me, so she felt very comfortable making an appointment. She was also aware of the excellent reputation of Hospital for Special Surgery. Her x-rays, medical history and exam showed that advanced arthritis was causing her pain. ...

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When considering joint replacement, many patients worry about how much pain they’ll experience after surgery. It’s a valid concern. Pain control is important not only to avoid discomfort. It’s also essential to get a handle on pain early on so patients can move around and engage in a physical therapy program.   At Hospital for Special Surgery, we’ve studied pain control at length and have excellent pain management protocols for patients who have joint replacement.  We generally strive to lower patients’ use of narcotic medications known as opioids. Although these medications do a good job at controlling pain, they can have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and constipation, which are not only unpleasant, but can make physical therapy more difficult. At Hospital for Special Surgery, we just launched a study to see if intravenous (IV) acetaminophen can reduce the amount of opioid pain medicine needed after hip replacement surgery. Currently, j...

Orthopedic surgeons perform almost 700,000 knee replacements in the United States each year. The procedure has a high success rate, alleviating pain and restoring an active lifestyle. It’s fairly common for patients to have arthritis in both knees, and they often decide to have both of them replaced. The dilemma many people face is whether to have surgery on both sides at the same time, a procedure referred to as “bilateral knee replacement,” or two separate operations. I always advise people to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option. Many people want to have a double knee replacement because they feel they can get it over with faster since there’s one surgery, one hospital stay and one course of rehabilitation. For the right patient, it’s a good option. However, double knee replacement is not for everyone, and people should be well-informed before making a decision.                   Studies show that bilateral knee...

Advertisements for treatments claiming to cure or slow down arthritis can be found on the Internet, on television and in print ads. They include drinks, certain supplements and rubs. Most are a a waste of money.  The ads target people in pain who want to avoid surgery. The problem is, the longer people wait, the worse their arthritis can get. In the beginning, even if these bogus remedies provide a false sense of security, people are actually worse off because they are not receiving the proper care. The bottom line is that patients should be wary of any advertisement for a product claiming to cure arthritis. Supplements such as glucasomine and chondroitin, more in the mainstream, are also purported to slow the progression of arthritis. However, in 2013, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons added these supplements to the list of treatments that provide little benefit. Knee lavage or “washing out the knee” has also received a thumbs down from the American ...

Arthritis is a painful condition that can make activities of daily living difficult, if not impossible.   Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease, affects millions of Americans and is caused by wear and tear on a joint.  It often affects the knee or the hip.  Misconceptions about arthritis are prevalent, but knowing the facts can help people to better manage the disease. Here are the top myths and facts about arthritis:  1- MYTH: If you have arthritis, you shouldn’t exercise. FACT: It may seem counterintuitive, but the appropriate exercise can help many people feel better. Certain exercises, such as swimming or the stationary bicycle, can help relieve stiffness and alleviate pain. Physical therapy or an exercise program to strengthen muscles around the joint can also be very helpful.   2 - MYTH : Arthritis is a disease of the elderly. FACT : About two-thirds of patients are under 65. In fact, increasing numbers...