Central Peninsula Hospital | Thrive | Summer 2018

1,200 MILLIGRAMS (MG) The amount of calcium a woman 51 or older should consume daily to help keep bones strong. Men are also at risk for osteopo- rosis. They need 1,000mg of calcium a day from ages 51 to 70. After age 70, they need 1,200mg daily. Low-fat dairy products have calcium. It’s also found in leafy green vegetables and almonds. 30 MINUTES The minimum amount of physical activity adults should get each day to help maintain a strong skeleton. Start with weight-bearing exercises, like walking or playing tennis. Then add strengthening exercises, such as weightlifting. 600 INTERNATIONAL UNITS (IU) The amount of vitamin D needed for healthy bones in men and women ages 51 to 70. At age 71, that amount jumps to 800 IU per day. Salmon and tuna contain vitamin D. So does vitamin D- fortified low-fat milk. Is it time for a newknee ? The pain in your knee has become— well, a pain. And more than once you’ve said to yourself you’d like to trade that knee in for a new one. The decision to have knee replacement surgery to ad- dress severe pain from arthritis or an old injury isn’t one you should make hastily. It requires working with your doctor to weigh the pros and cons. Also, other nonsurgical treatments, such as taking pain medications or weight loss, are typically recommended first. But if your knee pain continues de- spite trying these treatments, and keeps you up at night, then it’s time to con- sider knee replacement. Also consider surgery if you’re becoming less active because of your knee pain. Physical ac- tivity is important for your psychological and physical well-being. Lasting benefits Knee replacement surgery is a major operation. It involves removing damaged cartilage and bone above and below your knee and replacing the joint sur- faces with strong metal and plastic parts. You may experience increased pain for a few weeks after surgery. But according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 90 percent of those who have knee replacement surgery ultimately report dramatic pain reduction. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon if you think your time for knee surgery has arrived. Knee arthroscopy is a procedure done through small incisions in your knee. It is used to diagnose and treat a variety of knee problems. According to the American Acad- emy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, knee arthroscopy can be used to: ●   ● Remove or repair torn meniscal cartilage. ●   ● Reconstruct a torn anterior cruciate ligament. ●   ● Trim torn pieces of articular cartilage. ●   ● Remove loose fragments of bone or cartilage. During the procedure, your surgeon inserts a thin instrument with a camera into your knee through a small inci- sion. The surgeon uses the camera to view the inside of your knee. To make repairs, the surgeon inserts tiny instruments—such as scissors—into your knee through additional small incisions. Arthroscopic knee surgery is usually less painful with a shorter recovery time than with traditional open-knee surgery. To learn more about knee arthros- copy, talk to your doctor. A R T HROS COP Y A simpler type of knee surgery Considering knee replacement surgery? Come to the FREE informational Joint Replacement Class held in the Kenai Room, River Tower, every two weeks from 1 to 2 p.m. Sign up by calling 907-714-5670 or registering online at cpgh.org/preop-class . PULSE Summer 2018 5