Put Knee and Hip Pain in Your Past By Dr. Allegra

As you walk through your day, how many people do you see with a limp and a pained expression on their face?  Too many people are living life with painful, worn-out knees and hips without realizing how simple the solution really is.

Your healthy joints are cushioned by a coating of cartilage that guards the bones against rubbing against each other. Time and excessive wear and tear are not friends, causing the cartilage to slowly wear down, leaving our joints unprotected. This is termed “bone-on-bone”. Speak to Dr. Allegra to determine what options are available to you to relieve your pain and potentially solve the problem that causes it. When all non-surgical options have been exhausted, don’t despair.

Surgical options have become so much simpler than in recent years and the recovery time has gotten shorter with the newer technology. Dr. Allegra performs both partial and total joint replacement surgical procedures. Partial joint replacement surgeries are minimally invasive procedures. These surgeries replace only the damaged areas while more of the natural joint is preserved. Less invasive exposure minimizes the cutting of the normal tendons around the knee and is performed through a smaller incision.

If you are experiencing joint pain, keeping your weight down is good for your joints and your overall health. Patients should begin a program of exercise as a preoperative measure. Even the simplest muscle tensing exercise will help strengthen your muscles in preparation for postoperative walking. The stronger you are going in to surgery, the shorter the recovery time to resuming your life.

The majority of total hip and knee replacement patients are over 55 years of age, most often to provide relief for severe arthritic conditions. Fractures and injuries are typical causes for the younger patients. A candidate for total replacement surgery experiences:

  • Severe discomfort that hinders everyday activities
  • Pain that can’t be managed by anti-inflammatory medications, canes or walkers
  • Considerable stiffness of the joint
  • Advanced arthritis or other problem

The success rate for the hip replacement procedure is very high, with greater than 95% of patients experiencing relief from hip pain. Long term relief; 10 years after surgery is 90- 95% and at 20 years 80-85%.

Knee replacement will correct the knee problem, leaving muscles weak.  Physical therapy will help regain range of motion and strengthen muscles. This therapy begins in the hospital with a physical therapist and continues thereafter. 85 to 90 percent of all total knee replacement operations performed are successful for roughly 10 to 15 years, depending on the patient’s level of activity.

As with any major surgery, there are potential risks that should be discussed with your doctor. Recovery time depends on age, health status, and response to rehabilitation. Two to three months is the typical recovery time. and varies with each patient.

A typical post-operative visit to our offices results in the patient commenting;

“I don’t know why I waited so long to feel so good”

A visit to Dr. Marshall P. Allegra will help you choose the best option for you.  He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Monmouth County for over 25 years. As an expert diagnostician, Dr. Allegra can expertly determine the best treatment options to return you to your normal, pain free life.


  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.