Knee Pain Focus for August Facebook Live

Do your knees feel more like rusted hinges on a good day? Does the pain prevent you from normal activities or caring for yourself? If so, a streaming video presentation in August by orthopedic surgeon Andrew Brooks, M.D., may be just what the doctor ordered.

Dr. Brooks, medical director for Northbay Health's Joint Replacement Program, will present a half-hour live video chat on knee replacement and other treatment options at 1 p.m. on Aug. 18 on the Northbay Facebook page (Facebook.com/NorthbayHealth). He will be joined by one of his patients, Lisa Brasher, CEO of the Jelly Belly Candy Co., who will share her experience with a knee replacement. There will be time for questions from viewers.

Osteoarthritis affects more than 32 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is the most common reason behind the need for knee replacement surgery. As people age, the chance of osteoarthritis increases. If your family has a history of it, you may be more vulnerable. Obesity, injuries to the joint and previous surgeries where cartilage was removed from a joint may also be causes of osteoarthritis.

"With severe arthritis, once other treatments have failed, it may be time to consider surgery such as joint replacement," said Dr. Brooks. "These are very common and highly successful procedures. Recent innovations have made this a very popular option for many people."

For more information, contact the Northbay Joint Replacement Program at 707-624-7600. To watch the chat, visit our Facebook page.