MK Orthopaedics

Learn More About Taking Care of Your Joints!

Our recent blog posts offered an introduction to knee, hip, and other joint replacement surgeries. If you are looking to learn more about these orthopaedic procedures, the following links may be of interest to you. To speak with an experienced orthopaedic doctor in Joliet, Illinois, call MK Orthopaedics at (815) 741-6900!

• Learn about the importance of spinal health and tips on keeping your spine in good shape by reading this article.
• This Chicago Tribune article tells the story of a knee cartilage transplant patient who felt well enough after his procedure to try his hand at climbing Mount Everest.
• Find out more about knee problems and the ways in which they can affect one’s overall health by visiting the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases online.
• Visit MedicineNet.com for authoritative answers to frequently asked questions about hip replacement surgery.
• Read this ABC News article to learn more about successful cartilage transplants.

Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Are you considering total hip replacement surgery in order to regain mobility and reduce the severity of discomfort you experience every day? Before you visit an orthopaedic doctor to discuss your candidacy for surgery, it is important to familiarize yourself with the procedure.

This free audio podcast, narrated by an experienced and board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, offers an in-depth introduction to what total hip replacement surgery entails. This podcast may help you decide whether you are ready to commit to surgery in order to improve your quality of life.

Serving Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, New Lenox, and Shorewood, MK Orthopaedics is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable healthcare professionals who seek to make surgery and rehabilitation as pleasant as possible. To schedule an appointment with one of our orthopaedic doctors today, call (815) 741-6900!

The Domino Effect: A Look at Why a Simple Foot or Ankle Injury Can Systematically Affect the Body

Have you ever twisted your ankle? Has the resulting pain been so minimal that you decided to forgo visiting the doctor in favor of letting your ankle heal on its own? If so, it’s likely that your ankle and foot have not fully healed—the initial injury may affect you years later because of a condition that orthopaedic doctors refer to as the domino effect.

Anatomy of the Foot

Made up of 26 bones and 33 joints, the foot is an intricate part of the body. In addition to the potential for bone breakage, the foot’s 107 ligaments and 19 muscles can be susceptible to tearing and straining. Considering this information, it is easy to see why foot injuries are so common. It is also easy to see why an injury that may seem minor in severity can ultimately cause a domino effect of health problems.

Whole-Body Interconnectedness

It is truly astonishing to think about how the systems in the human body work together to support its physical and mental capacities. While the body is certainly a marvel of nature and is capable of a degree of self-healing, there is no denying that most systems cannot work well unless all connected parts are strong and healthy. This is why an injury to a bone, joint, or tendon in the foot or ankle can lead to knee pain, back pain, and even a weakened immune system.

Weight Distribution

If a foot is injured and not properly treated, the injured person is likely to adjust his or her walk for optimal comfort. This often results in a change in the way a person carries his or her weight, which can create a spine imbalance and a host of other problems.

Failing to seek proper treatment for a minor foot or ankle injury can lead to several debilitating injuries and overwhelming medical bills in the long term. To set up an appointment with an experienced orthopaedic surgeon in Joliet and seek the treatment you need in order to heal properly and fully, call MK Orthopaedics at (815) 741-6900!

Restore the Spring in Your Step with a Cartilage Transplant Procedure for Your Knee

Knee injuries are among the most common injuries in the United States, affecting men, women, and children of all ages and lifestyles. Even knee injuries that heal fairly well can present new symptoms decades after they were first sustained. If your general health is good but knee pain inhibits your ability to walk for even a minute, you may be a good candidate for a knee cartilage transplant.

Alternative to Total Replacement

Knee replacements provide individuals with severely damaged joints the opportunity to regain their former mobility and quality of life. Total knee replacement, however, is an intensive orthopaedic operation that takes several months to recover from. Individuals who undergo total knee replacement surgery are also typically unable to participate in certain activities, even once they have fully recovered. A cartilage transplant procedure, in which cartilage from a cadaver is transplanted into the patient’s knee, is a less invasive operation with markedly different long-term effects. It is possible for a knee cartilage transplant patient to make a full recovery and even climb Mount Everest.

A Solution for Missing Cartilage and Osteoarthritis

If an automobile accident or sports-related injury has depleted your cartilage, or if you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, you may not need to undergo total knee replacement surgery in order to regain a degree of mobility. In fact, an articular cartilage transplant procedure may be just what your knee needs to support your body as you perform your favorite activities.

Are you a resident of the Joliet area who suffers from knee pain? If you would like to find out more about cartilage transplant procedures for patients with missing or damaged articular cartilage, contact MK Orthopaedics. Call (815) 741-6900 to arrange a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon in Joliet who will be able to determine whether a knee cartilage transplant is right for you!