MDNews - Long Island

P HYSICIANS AND LAYPEOPLE alike understand the basics of osteo- arthritis and the effects it can have on patients' lives. However, according to Douglas Petraco, MD, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at St. Charles Hospital, scientists do not fully under- sta nd t he biolog ica l cha nges t hat accompany the condition. The common outcomes — including pain, disability and unemployment or other significant limitations — make it crucial for physi- cians to take osteoarthritis seriously and select treatments for optimal results. "One of the causes is the mechanical breakdown of cartilage due to injury or to overall knee alignment," Dr. Petraco says. "When a patient has a problem with alignment or previous injury, such as a torn meniscus, he or she is more susceptible to developing arthritis in the knee." Patients who are elderly, obese or have a family history of arthritis are also more likely to develop the condition. Those with imperfect joint alignment, such as that associated with genu valgum or genu varum, may experience it as well. Cartilage breakdown results in rough surfaces where bones meet. Bone may even rub against bone, making movement of the joint difficult and painful. Bits of broken ca r t ila ge may ir r it ate t he synovium, and the joint may become inflamed, changing shape over time. Osteophytes may develop. Osteoarthritis worsens slowly, so many opportunities for conservative treatment exist. If the condition progresses to a stage in which surgery is the best option, surgeons must offer a safe and long-lasting alternative to chronic pain and disability. Adds MAKOplasty to Osteoarthritis Treatment Armory By Jennifer Webster MAKOPLASTY PARTIAL KNEE RESURFACING ALLOWS PATIENTS WITH CARTILAGE BREAKDOWN IN THE KNEE TO PURSUE FULLER, MORE ACTIVE LIVES. St. Charles Hospital COV ER FE AT UR E Brian McGinley, MD, orthopedic surgeon at St. Charles Hospital, (center) and Douglas Petraco, MD, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at St. Charles Hospital, (far left) use the MAKO robot to remove bone in preparation for the implant. 6 | Long Island MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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