As we emerge from the holiday chaos, we always seem to jump right into to planning for the new year – cleaning up, setting goals and organizing schedules. However, it’s also important to take time to address your physical and mental well-being so you can be your best self for those around you.

Holiday festivities can be especially hard on our joints with all the cooking, shopping and standing, all of which can lead to overuse and discomfort. Fortunately, Dr. Cory Calendine, an orthopaedic surgeon at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, shares his expertise on promoting healthy joints in the new year.

“Motion is life, and life is motion,” said Dr. Calendine. “Healthy joints come from continuous activity and from building strength in the surrounding muscles.”

If you are experiencing overworked joints, he suggests starting with low-impact movements like swimming, biking or even walking to promote joint health. It is important to listen to your body and gradually build up to more activity. Often, people start out doing too much and end up injuring themselves even more, he says.

“However, no one knows your body and your joints better than you do,” said Dr. Calendine. “So, if you are experiencing pain, stiffness, swelling or if your quality of life is being affected, it’s time to come get evaluated.”

Dr. Calendine says although surgery can provide long-term relief, it should always be the last option. When evaluating a patient, he will first exhaust all non-invasive pain relief methods, including over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol, steroid injections and physical therapy. But if the pain persists, surgery may be necessary.

“This is actually a great time of year to have joint replacement surgery if you’ve been considering it,” said Dr. Calendine. “The cold weather creates a lot more downtime to allow you to recover and be ready for spring and summer activities.”

For those who are still uncertain, Dr Calendine reminds patients that hesitation is perfectly normal, but advances in technology have also made joint replacement a practical solution for many patients. Robotic-assisted surgery now allows for more precision, less pain and a better and faster recovery.

“The addition of robotics in joint replacement surgery has been great,” said Dr. Calendine. “We are able to plan a patient’s joint using both X-ray and CT scans, create a 3D model, and use a robotic arm during surgery to precisely execute the perfect joint replacement for each person.”

Technology has also shortened recovery times, with more and more Bone and Joint Institute patients going home on the same day of surgery. Although the new joints are fully weight-bearing immediately after surgery, Dr. Calendine often provides patients with a walker for stability. Knee replacement patients are encouraged to do physical therapy three times a week for four to six weeks, while hip replacement recovery follows a similar timeline, often without the need for formal physical therapy.

“There are really no restrictions when it comes to joint replacement recovery because you are not at risk of damaging the parts,” said Dr. Calendine. “It is a highly individualized recovery, and you can return to activities as soon as your joints let you.”

Overall, Dr. Calendine says his most common complaint from joint replacement patients is questioning why they did not have the surgery sooner. Living with chronic pain can be mentally draining as well if you’re having to miss out on activities with friends and family. Arthritis pain, especially, can often come on slowly making those living with it numb to the pain and discomfort affecting their daily lives.

“Our goal with joint replacement is to empower people, both physically and mentally, to take back control of their lives and be able to do the things they want to with the people they love,” said Dr. Calendine. “If you are experiencing pain, let the knowledgeable providers at Bone and Joint Institute help you start the new year pain-free!”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, click here.