Benjamin Harper, MD, is a Board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Trinity Health Livingston and Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, Orthopedics – Genoa. He spoke with The Livingston Post to discuss hip and knee pain and the surgical and non-surgical approach to treatment.
Q: What common health conditions do you see patients for?
Dr. Harper: A lot of my practice focuses on patients experiencing hip or knee pain. There are a lot of things that can be going on for people to feel discomfort in their hip or knee. Arthritis is certainly one of the more common things I see, but I also treat a lot of patients with tendinitis and muscular imbalance, just to name a few.
My goal is to listen to the patient, understand the level of pain they are feeling, and learn if or how it is limiting their everyday activities. We do an in-depth analysis of the problem together and discuss different treatment approaches.
Q: How much does age play a role in people’s joint health?
Dr. Harper: Arthritis is essentially the wearing down of cartilage, which acts as a buffer in the joint, between two or more bones. As this cartilage gradually erodes, bones can rub up against each other causing varying degrees of pain and discomfort. The aging process is a significant factor in the progression of arthritis and is more prominent in people older than 50.
Q: What are some non-surgical treatment options for patients dealing with pain?
Dr. Harper: Physical therapy is a common option for patients. It can improve range of motion, help return the joint closer to normal function, or even strengthen or balance a set of muscles. There are also anti-inflammatory medications people can take, but you should always speak with your primary care doctor or orthopedic specialist before taking these.
Knee braces can offer additional external stability to help with buckling sensations and allow greater activity in some situations.
And then finally, there are different types of therapuetic injections available for certain patients as well.
Q: What are the surgical options for patients, and when should someone pursue it?
Dr. Harper: There is a thorough process we go through with our patients when it comes to the surgical route. We perform an x-ray to evaluate how advanced the arthritis has become; this is critical in considering hip or knee replacement. I also look at how significant the pain is for the patient. If we’ve looked at or attempted the non-surgical options and if the patient is still having difficulty enjoying the everyday activities of their life due to the pain, then we will consider advancing to the final step of the process — considering the risks and benefits of surgery, and what the patient needs to recover successfully.
Q: Is there anything else potential patients should know about you?
Dr. Harper: I’m a surgeon but much of my job is working with patients inside my office, so they never have to see the inside of an operating room. I take a very thorough approach to everyone I treat. I like to discuss where they’re at, what exactly is going on and how to realistically achieve their goals.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Harper, please visit trinityhealthmi.org/ortho or call his office at (810) 844-7785.
