Joint pain and mobility issues are common as we age or after injuries, but not every patient requires immediate joint replacement. Modern orthopaedics focuses first on joint preservation—treatments that protect your natural joint and delay or prevent the need for surgery. However, when damage becomes severe, joint replacement offers long-term relief and restored function.
As a leading Arthroscopic & Joint Replacement Surgeon in Erandwane, Pune, Dr. Raghav Barve provides personalized care that begins with preservation treatments and progresses to advanced surgical options only when necessary.
“My goal is always to preserve the natural joint whenever possible. Joint replacement is recommended only when the damage is beyond repair and when it can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life.” – Dr Raghav Barve
Joint problems arise due to wear and tear, injuries, inflammation, or degenerative conditions. Early diagnosis allows for joint preservation, but long-standing damage may require replacement.
Common causes include:
Osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration
ACL/PCL tears or meniscus injuries
Repetitive strain or overuse injuries
Sports injuries and trauma
Joint deformities or misalignment
Rheumatoid arthritis
Untreated ligament or cartilage damage
Pain, stiffness, swelling, and restricted movement are early warning signs that should not be ignored.
Joint preservation techniques aim to reduce pain, improve function, and delay or avoid the need for joint replacement.
Physiotherapy: Strengthens supporting muscles and restores mobility.
Medications: NSAIDs, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Injections: PRP, hyaluronic acid, or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Activity Modification: Avoiding high-impact activities to protect the joint.
Weight Management: Reduces load on joints like the knee and hip.
Arthroscopy: Minimally invasive surgery to repair ligament tears, remove damaged cartilage, or treat meniscus injuries.
Osteotomy: Realigning bones to reduce pressure on damaged areas.
Cartilage Restoration Procedures: Microfracture, cartilage transplant, or regeneration techniques.
These approaches work best in the early or moderate stages of joint damage.
Joint replacement is recommended when:
Pain persists despite long-term non-surgical management
Joint damage is severe, orthe deformity progresses
Daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, or sitting become difficult
Arthritis has significantly worn down cartilage
There is instability or a collapse of the joint structure
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Partial Knee Replacement
Total Hip Replacement (THR)
Shoulder Replacement
Dr. Raghav Barve uses modern implants, computer-guided techniques, and minimally invasive methods to ensure faster recovery, less pain, and long-lasting results.
The right treatment depends on the stage of joint damage, patient age, and lifestyle needs.
Joint preservation works well for younger, active patients or early-stage degeneration.
Joint replacement is ideal for advanced arthritis or when pain limits daily function.
With accurate diagnosis and expert guidance, patients can achieve excellent outcomes using either approach.
Yes. Early treatment such as physiotherapy, injections, and arthroscopy can delay or even prevent the need for replacement.
If pain persists despite months of treatment and affects daily life, joint replacement may be recommended.
Arthroscopy is excellent for ligament tears, meniscus injuries, and early arthritis, helping preserve the joint.
Most patients walk within 24 hours and recover significantly within 6–8 weeks.
Dr. Raghav Barve is an experienced Arthroscopic & Joint Replacement Surgeon based in Erandwane, Pune. He specializes in knee, hip, and shoulder treatments, offering advanced arthroscopic procedures and state-of-the-art joint replacements. His patient-centric approach ensures accurate diagnosis, modern treatment options, and long-lasting results.
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