Over the past two decades, the realm of joint replacement surgeries has witnessed a remarkable surge, most notably within
knee and hip replacements. This surge can be attributed to a number of factors such as the aging baby boomer population, strides in surgical techniques, and refinements in implant technologies.
This trend is anticipated to continue, influenced by the ongoing aging population and a wide acceptance that these surgeries are the best remedies for managing joint discomfort and mobility constraints.
Failure Rates Are on the Increase
Although the number of successful surgeries are on the increase due to more surgeries being performed per capita, a concerning issue emerges – a parallel escalation in failure rates.
While the inclination may be to attribute these failures solely to the surgical procedure itself, or the skill level of the surgeon, a more comprehensive understanding underscores the pivotal role played by patients’ lifestyle choices in dictating the success of these interventions.
This often-overlooked reality brings attention to the importance of the relationship between healthcare practitioners and patients in navigating the path to recovery.
Lifestyle Choices are Pivotal
In the wake of complications, it’s natural to scrutinize the surgeon, but it’s essential to recognize that surgical expertise forms only a fragment of a larger puzzle. Patient lifestyle choices, encompassing diet, exercise, and overall habits, wield substantial influence on the success of recovery.
From maintaining a balanced and healthful diet to committing to regular exercise and mobility routines, these choices can determine the level of success or failure for a patient. They either increase the body’s inherent ability to heal or escalate the failure rate.
Given the intricacy of joint replacement surgeries, a comprehensive approach demands a symbiotic collaboration between healthcare professionals and patients, all working toward optimal outcomes.
Recognizing the pivotal role of lifestyle choices in the post-surgery recovery phase empowers patients to actively shape their healing journey. This alliance underscores shared responsibility in nurturing ideal results, as well as acknowledging the crucial contribution of patients’ dedication to positive lifestyle choices in steering the triumph of joint replacement surgeries.
Dietary Choices
The healing process following surgery, particularly joint replacement or repair, is intimately linked to our dietary choices and fluid intake. Gaining insight into the impact of our nutritional decisions on recovery proves paramount.
Certain foods, notably dairy products, possess the potential to incite inflammation, impeding the healing process. As well, the consumption of animal-based meats during recovery can increase inflammation and hinder the healing process, potentially prolonging the rehabilitation period.
Likewise, the consumption of alcohol has been shown to hinder the body’s innate healing mechanisms. Acknowledging the adverse ramifications of excessive alcohol consumption on post-surgery recovery is vital; it’s akin to an obstacle on the path to restoration.
Selecting a diet that excludes dairy and animal-based products is a prudent choice. However, it’s vital to acknowledge the addictive nature of certain foods, potentially posing challenges to adopting this approach.
Michael Moss’s enlightening work, “Salt, Sugar, Fat,” delves into the strategies employed by the food industry to foster addictive eating behaviors.
Obesity Plays a Crucial Role in Recovery… or Lack Thereof
Beyond dietary considerations, the state of our bodies plays a pivotal role in the recovery process. Engaging in regular physical activity and sustaining movement are pivotal for enhancing the body’s innate restoration capabilities. Excess weight amplifies the strain on joints, exacerbating hurdles during the recovery journey.
Consider this; for every pound you weigh, you put 1 1/2 times that much pressure on the knees. If someone is 200 pounds, the pressure on the knees is 300 pounds. Imagine what 50 – 100 excess pounds is doing to the knees.
Disconcerting statistics underscore the escalating prevalence of obesity, magnifying the risk factors intertwined with surgical procedures. Data from the National Institute of Health paints a stark picture on the increase of weight issues contributing to the uptick in joint surgeries.
According to many sources, more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight while over 42% are considered obese.
All indications are the obesity rates are anticipated to continue growing, increasing potential complications during surgical interventions.
Failure Rates Continue to Increase
Acknowledging the relationship of medical practitioners and patients to the recovery journey remains paramount. Our role within this equation must not be underestimated.
While circumstances may arise where the surgeon shoulders full responsibility, more often than not, we are active participants
in our healing journey.
The increase in obesity rates puts the entire process of surgery, healing and the success of the surgeon at an every increasing disadvantage.
The choice to overlook personal responsibilities and assign blame to external factors is commonplace. Embracing our role in the recovery journey is imperative.
Recommended Reading
Dr. Michael Gregor, a distinguished authority in the role of diet and health correlations, emphasizes the pivotal role of a plant-based diet in fostering optimal health and bolstering joint replacement recovery.
In Dr. Gregor’s book, How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease, he emphasizes the importance of a non-inflammatory eating protocol.
Another recommended read is Dr. Barrett’s insightful article, Why a Plant-Based Diet is Key for Joint Replacement (and Your Overall Health)
Dr. Barrett, a prominent figure in orthopedics, delves into the essential correlation between a plant-based diet, joint replacement, and holistic well-being. This article equips individuals with invaluable insights, guiding them toward a proactive and informed approach to their recovery voyage.
The link between weight, dietary choices, exercise patterns, and various lifestyle elements profoundly shapes the prevalence of joint replacement surgeries. These elements are intrinsically intertwined with joint health and decisively contribute to the necessity of surgical interventions.
Factors to Consider
Weight: Excessive body weight exacts added stress on joints, particularly the hips and knees, expediting joint degeneration and heightening the risk of conditions like osteoarthritis. Over time, sustained joint wear and tear culminate in pain, restricted mobility, and eventual contemplation of joint replacement surgery.
Dietary Choices: Specific foods act as triggers for body inflammation, intensifying joint discomfort and exacerbating conditions like arthritis. A diet abundant in processed foods, sugary snacks, and saturated fats stokes inflammation. Conversely, an anti-inflammatory diet replete with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats cultivates enduring joint wellness. In other words, a nutritionally balanced whole-food, plant-based diet is optimal.
Exercise Deficiency: Regular physical activity emerges as a cornerstone for upholding joint functionality and suppleness. Neglecting exercise leads to weakened muscles, compromised joint stability, and an overarching decline in joint health. Furthermore, exercise contributes to sustaining a healthy weight, ultimately reducing the risk of joint-associated challenges.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Prolonged periods of inactivity, akin to extended sessions of desk confinement, contribute to joint rigidity and discomfort. Regular intervals of movement throughout the day serve as a critical safeguard against potential joint complications.
Impact on Joint Health: Obesity, suboptimal dietary choices, and a dearth of exercise collectively amplify susceptibility to a range of joint-linked conditions, spanning osteoarthritis to rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions precipitate joint impairment and discomfort, ultimately elevating the likelihood of necessitating joint replacement surgeries.
Public Health Implications: The surge in obesity prevalence and sedentary routines across societies closely correlates with a surge in joint-associated issues. As a result, the demand for joint replacement surgeries surges, addressing the resulting joint deterioration and discomfort.
A great many doctors are speaking up about the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet. Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Pamela Popper, Dr. Angie Sadeghi, Dr. Kristi Funk, Dr. Kim Williams, and Dr. Michael Klaper encourage a diet void of animal and dairy replaced by food choices including fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
When all these things come together and affect the chance of needing joint surgeries, there is no doubt of how important it is to manage our weight, eat good foods, keep active, and not sit around too much. It’s like a set of simple but powerful ways to prevent our joints from getting worse and to reduce the chances of needing surgery in the future.
To learn more about Plant Based Eating, be sure to check out the Plant Based Eating for Health Podcast. Plant Based Eating Podcast – Vegan Visibility