Arthritis hitting the X-generation

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects millions. You will see why the pain in our joints is no longer just a part of aging.

Martial Arts instructor Julie Elrod has no trouble taking care of herself.

But around age 40, a painful bout of arthritis in her knee, almost put her on the sidelines.

“It was just excruciatingly painful every night. I’d go home a lot of nights in tears and just… but the next day I’d come back and do it again.“

She’s one of a growing number of young people whose joints are wearing out too soon. In fact, orthopedic surgeon Barry Waldman calls it a ‘near’ epidemic.

“Are a lot of demographic studies showing that this is the case, but again, we don’t know the one reason why it is that these patients are being affected so young.“

Two of the theories sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. The first is a weighty issue.

“It can be the fact that Americans are getting more and more obese and we believe that obesity plays a big role in joints wearing out prematurely.“

On the flip side, young people today are more active than ever.

“It may be the fact that patients just aren’t willing to accept the same kind of limitations they used to accept.“

Whatever the reason, it’s driving companies that make joint replacements - to make them better.

“We have better materials, the plastic is better, the metals get better. We find better ways to affix it to the bone.“

After exhausting all conservative treatments, Julie had minimally invasive surgery where doctors resurfaced the damaged part of her knee with a small metal implant. It was enough to spell relief.

“I thought that I would never realize what it was like to not have pain again.“

Now she’s back up to speed hoping the feeling lasts. Dr. Waldman recommends always using conservative treatments before surgery for arthritis pain. They include exercise, weight loss, medications and injections.

Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, head to the website for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or take a look at the Arthritis Foundation’s website.