The number of surgical procedures for musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis has increased exponentially over the past years, some of which are unnecessary and leave patients no better off than they were before. Knee replacement surgery can be a wonderful and cost-effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis but only when less invasive treatments have failed. There are many factors driving the alarming rates of increased surgery ranging from system-level factors such as inadequate reimbursement for physiotherapy treatment to personal-level factors such as individual beliefs and education of patients and their health care providers. Frequently referrals are made to surgeons as primary care doctors feel there is nothing more they can do. If you are referred it is important to be prepared for what that consultation will involve and to consider whether you truly want/ need surgery.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dr Howard Luks to discuss this topic.

Dr. Howard Luks is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine specialist. Howard graduated from New York Medical College and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency in 1996 and a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in NYC in 1997. His focus is on injuries that involve the shoulder, knee, and elbow. He is the Chief of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at New York Medical College and Advanced Physician Services.

CONNECT WITH HOWARD

Twitter: @hjluks

Website: https://www.howardluksmd.com/

Podcast: https://www.howardluksmd.com/podcast/the-paul-and-howard-show/

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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