Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the United States.

This procedure is used to decrease pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life for many patients. Surgeons have performed conventional knee replacement surgery for more than 30 years with generally excellent results. Yet, as with any surgical technique, surgeons have sought new ways to perform the surgery less invasively, with less pain and a faster recovery. As a result, there have been numerous advances in this field over the last few years. Patients now experience less pain, and less time in a hospital, have less blood loss, and are able to return to activities much more rapidly.

Today, skilled orthopedic surgeons are able to implant a total knee replacement device without cutting the quadriceps muscle and tendon as they do in conventional surgery. This new procedure is called Quadriceps Sparing Knee Replacement Surgery. The quadriceps muscle is the most important muscle in the leg, responsible for straightening the leg and extending the knee. When the quadriceps is weak, the leg has a tendency to buckle.

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A common condition in the United States, joint pain can be a serious hindrance to athletic activity as well as everyday life.

An estimated two million American experience joint pain associated with cartilage injuries each year. Cartilage injuries can be debilitating and only the most modern methods of treatment can restore cartilage, minimize pain and relieve discomfort for patients of all ages.

So what is cartilage?

Cartilage is, essentially, connective tissue found in all animals, including humans. It is more flexible and softer than bone but stiffer and more rigid than muscle. As cartilage does not contain blood vessels or nerves, you cannot “feel” damage in your cartilage, though there are other signs.

There are three types of cartilage found in the human body.

Elastic cartilage is found in your ears and nose. This supports and adds shape to these structures. Fibrocartilage is tough and dense. This type is found in the joint connecting the upper pubic bones where it needs to be sturdy enough to support a lot of weight but flexible enough for childbirth. Fibrocartilage, such as the meniscus, can also be found in joints where the more flexible tissue has been destroyed. The meniscus transfers stress and protects the final type of cartilage, hyaline cartilage, from being damaged. Hyaline cartilage is the cartilage that allows healthy joints to function comfortably. Found in your joints, this type of cartilage can be degraded by arthritis, trauma and other conditions causing medical treatment to be needed.

The Cartilage Restoration Center of New Jersey, staffed by the board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons of AOSMI, utilizes the latest techniques to restore cartilage.

We are completely devoted to the treatment of cartilage injuries with the goal of eliminating pain, restoring function and facilitating your return to full activity.

So you suffer from joint pain and think you may have damaged your cartilage, what are your options?  Joint replacement surgery and medication used to be your only option to deal with joint pain. Now with our cutting-edge technology, the board-certified physicians at AOSMI are able to offer you many conservative options, including:

• Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Steroid injections
• Hyaluronic Acid injections
• Orthobiologics
• Physical Therapy
• Bracing

If conservative treatment options do not work or if the cartilage damage is too severe, there are several surgical options that focus on repairing or re-growing your cartilage, helping reduce the need for joint replacement surgery. Procedures include:

• Microfracture: An arthroscopic procedure that stimulates cartilage regeneration
• Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation – Utilizing bone and cartilage plugs taken from a low load area of the knee and transferred to the damaged area
• Osteochondral Allograft Transplant – Used when donor bone and cartilage plugs are applied in the damaged area
• DeNovo NT – Used when juvenile donor cartilage is used to repair the damaged area
• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation – Your cartilage cells are harvested via arthroscopic surgery, grown in a laboratory and then transplanted into the damaged area

These surgical options would be performed by our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons at a hospital or outpatient surgery centers depending upon the procedure.

If you suffer from joint pain or feel you may have damaged your cartilage, call us today to schedule your cartilage consultation – 732-720-2555!

One of the oldest forms of natural pain management, acupuncture, uses small needle placements to help balance the body’s energy flow. The needles are placed at unique flow points on the body–based on the location and cause of the pain–and naturally redirect the body’s energy in a way that lessens pain and eases tension.

Acupuncture: The Basics

1. How Does Acupuncture Work? Acupuncture works by restoring and improving your body’s natural body functions and self-healing processes to facilitate recovery and relief. This is done through a series of small needles placed at key acupressure points on your body.
2. How Long Does It Take? Each session is usually 20 minutes long, depending on the severity of your condition and the complexity of the treatment.
3. How Many Sessions Will I Need? Generally speaking, acupuncture requires several treatment sessions to be most effective. Patients generally undergo between five and ten treatments.
4. What Conditions Respond Best To Acupuncture? Back pain, fatigue, pregnancy discomfort, joint pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, and sprains tend to benefit most from this intervention.
5. Does It Hurt? Surprisingly, no. Despite the fact that small needles are involved, acupuncture is pain-free. In fact, if you do experience pain during a treatment, you are urged to let your NJ pain management acupuncture specialist know so that he or she can adjust technique and pressure points.

If you’re experiencing persistent pain that has not responded to traditional medical treatments or are simply looking for a natural pain management method, call the acupuncture specialists at AOSMI to schedule a consultation. Our specialist is trained in pain management, acupuncture, and homeopathic medicine.

Suffering from chronic headaches and scared to exercise? When a headache hits, exercise is often the last thing on your mind. It seems counterintuitive to get up and move around when everything in your head is pounding. While understandable, new research from NJ pain management specialists shows that exercise might be exactly the thing that will offer a much-needed respite from the pain.

Dr. Nabih Ramdan, chair of the National Headache Foundation, explains why.

For those with chronic headaches, especially those suffering from migraines, new research shows the regular physical movement can reduce headache frequency and help alleviate the pain once a headache starts. For the best results, here are some quick guidelines.

Exercise Tips For Headache Prevention and Relief

Morning Workouts: Working out in the morning, rather than at night, gives your body the chance to wind down after the workout and before bed. Those who work out at night run the risk of negatively affecting sleep patterns and suffering from exhaustion-based headaches.

Low Impact Works Best: Avoid high impact exercise like kickboxing or running as these run the risk of aggravating the headache or bringing a migraine on. Stick to low impact workouts, such as walking and swimming.

Make It A Regular Part of Your Routine: As with any preventative technique, the key is consistency. To see a significant reduction in headaches, you will need to get moving regularly. The generally recommended regularity is three times a week for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

If you’ve incorporated these tips and are still experiencing regular and life-impeding headaches, call the NJ pain management specialists at AOSMI to discuss your symptoms and learn how our pain management techniques can help. Call today to schedule a consultation.

It is estimated that by the year 2030, over 439 million Americans will have been diagnosed with Diabetes. For those suffering from Diabetes, there is a host of symptoms and conditions that are part and parcel of the diagnosis. Diabetic Foot is one such condition.

What is Diabetic Foot? Patients with unmanaged diabetes tend to develop any of several  circulation, nail and skin, and nerve-related disorders that are mainly focused in the lower extremities. Diabetic Foot, one such disorder, is a complex condition that can turn a simple blister into a widespread infection and a complete inability to walk. When it comes to Diabetic Foot, prevention and treatment are the keys to a manageable life.

Diabetic Foot Prevention

Prevention starts with education. Understanding how Diabetes works, what leads to Diabetic Foot, and what you can do – as a patient – to prevent the condition from presenting itself is the foundation for all preventative measures. The next step is to seek out an experienced orthopedic surgeon to help you manage your diabetes. This doctor will show you how to spot signs of foot problems, advise on how often you should be seen, and lay out some helpful guidelines for physical movement and diet.

Diabetic Foot Treatment

When it comes to treating diabetic foot, the treatment depends on the severity of the condition and usually employs a host of treatment modalities. These can include dietary changes, physical therapy, and pain management. A specialist will advise you on the best treatment to ensure the highest quality of life possible.

If you believe your Diabetes is unmanaged and are concerned about developing foot disorders, call AOSMI today to speak one of our NJ orthopedic specialists to learn how to care for your disorder and schedule a consultation today.