 Wind
in his sails
The procedure
X-rays revealed that the protective cartilage covering the ends of the
leg bones had simply worn away, leaving Elbaum with osteoarthritis, which
disables more older Americans than any other affliction. It affects more
than 80 percent of those over age 75. Osteoarthritis of the knee leads to
more disabilities than any other joint.
Daily anti-inflammatory medications provide
relief for many, but Elbaum didn't notice much difference. Such drugs are
also notorious for causing stomach upset and even ulcers. As the pain
worsened, the prognosis was always the same: he would need a total joint
replacement. In an effort to avoid surgery, he explored alternative
treatments on his own. "I read about two Swedish physicians who were
growing cartilage in the lab," he says. "A small sample is taken
from the patient, cultured in a laboratory and implanted in the joint. I
sent my x-rays and medical history to them." The doctors responded,
but confirmed what others had already advised: Elbaum's condition was too
advanced for the experimental cartilage transplant. Only total knee
replacement would end the osteoarthritis that was cramping his style.
In January 1998, orthopedic surgeon Howard Hirsch, MD,
performed a joint replacement on Elbaum's right knee. "It's still
considered a complicated procedure, but for patients of about retirement
age on, it has become one of the most frequently performed
operations," says Hirsch. "The overall results are
excellent-with a better than 90 percent success rate." Made of metal
and high-density polyethylene plastic, today's models are extremely
durable. Even so, knee replacements aren't always a permanent solution.
Usually lasting about 10 to 20 years, they aren't recommended for younger
patients.
The
importance of physical therapy 
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