The human body is highly complex, so it requires continuous maintenance for it to keep going strong. The older we get, the more attention the body needs if we want to stay as healthy as possible.
Our bodies tend to maintain themselves by being in a constant state of replacing old cells with brand-new ones, but the body’s ability to create fresh cells is reduced with age – which makes us more vulnerable and susceptible to injuries.
This is especially true of our joints and muscles, which get the most wear and tear from active daily living. The medical field of orthopedics focuses on the musculoskeletal system and ancillary structures, and sports medicine is often a subspecialty within an orthopedic practice – so an orthopedic doctor is your best bet in maintaining optimum health and strength throughout all seasons of life.
Let’s talk about how an orthopedic doctor can help you stay healthy as you get older, and where you can go in San Antonio for outstanding orthopedic care.
Why Do I Need to Visit an Orthopedic Doctor as I Get Older?
The musculoskeletal system undergoes a number of structural changes with the aging process. These changes can include the following factors:
How Bone Tissue Changes with Age
As we get older, our bone tissues tend to lose density and the ability to fully rebuild themselves – as well as lose the minerals that make our bones strong. This degradation makes the bones brittle and easy to fracture, which can lead to falls and serious injuries.
An orthopedic doctor can help you keep your bones strong at any age by explaining helpful exercises, supplements, nutrition, and possibly prescription medicines that can support your body’s ability to retain much-needed calcium. Calcium is the building block of bones, and we also need vitamin D to properly absorb calcium, so these elements are imperative to maintaining a healthy body.
How Joints Can Develop Age-Related Changes
The soft cartilage tissue in joints is responsible for providing cushion between the bones during movement. When the cartilage becomes worn down in a joint after years of the movement, osteoarthritis can develop. Young athletes can also develop osteoarthritis after a lot of repetitive motions in a joint.
To help mitigate the pain, swelling, and stiffness of arthritis, your orthopedic physician can administer pain-relief injection treatment directly into the joint. If arthritis becomes advanced and persistently painful or debilitating, your orthopedic doctor may recommend that you have a joint replacement – in which case the orthopedist removes your damaged joint tissues and structures, and replaces them with prosthetic materials that work the same way your original joint did.
How the Muscles Change with Age
Our muscle fibers tend to lose their physical integrity and elasticity and become weaker. Also, certain normal neurological changes can cause the muscles to lose tone and the ability to contract properly.
An orthopedic doctor can help you to keep your muscles strong through certain targeted exercises and a personalized treatment plan. Everyone’s body is different, so do not rely on generic solutions – instead, see an orthopedist who knows exactly what your body needs.
Orthopedic Doctors in San Antonio, TX
If you want to stay strong and healthy as you get older, pay us a visit at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Here we can provide you with the care you need to keep your bones, joints, and muscles sturdy and fit.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding orthopedic doctors, contact our friendly staff today at (210) 692-7400 or fill out our convenient appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you!
