Bone Doctor

What's the holy grail of a knee replacement?

Not just a successful surgery. The real goal: a knee that feels like the one you were born with. One the patient forgets was ever replaced.

That's a higher bar than it sounds. For decades we aligned nearly every knee the same way, straight down the middle. But natural knees aren't all built the same, and a replacement that ignores that can feel like hardware instead of a joint. On the Becker's Healthcare podcast, I talk about how three-dimensional planning and personalization let us tailor the procedure to the individual, chasing a knee that simply feels normal.

Because the best outcome isn't one a patient notices. It's one they forget.
For the surgeons here: how are you thinking about the "forgotten joint" as a goal? Curious where the field is headed.

Learn More >> corycalendinemd.com/blog/personalized-knee-replace…

5 hours ago | [YT] | 10

Bone Doctor

Can supplements prevent bone fractures?
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Should you keep taking calcium and vitamin D for your bones? A new review of 69 trials and more than 153,000 people found these supplements do little to prevent fractures or falls for most healthy older adults. It is a different story if you have osteoporosis, a deficiency, or a prescription, so always check with your doctor. The bigger wins: strength training, balance work, and a safer home.
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Full breakdown here: corycalendinemd.com/blog/calcium-vitamin-d-supplem…

Do you take calcium or vitamin D, and has a doctor ever told you to stop or keep going?

4 days ago | [YT] | 26

Bone Doctor

🦵 "When can I get back to doing what I love after a knee replacement?" It's one of the first things patients ask.

The honest answer is encouraging: most everyday activities return within weeks, and recovery keeps building across the first full year. Walking starts the day of surgery. Driving and desk work often return in two to six weeks. Low-impact favorites like swimming, cycling, and golf typically return by six to twelve weeks, and long-term studies show about 82 percent of patients get back to recreational sport.

I put together a full surgeon's guide on activities after knee replacement, including a week-by-week timeline, what's safe early on, the sports you can usually return to, and the high-impact activities worth approaching with caution.

Read it here: corycalendinemd.com/blog/activities-after-knee-rep…

What activity are you most looking forward to getting back to? Share below 👇

4 days ago | [YT] | 13

Bone Doctor

🚶 "When can I get back to doing what I love after a hip replacement?" It's one of the first things patients ask.

The honest answer is usually encouraging: most everyday activities come back within weeks to months. Walking starts within days. Driving and desk work often return in two to four weeks. Low-impact favorites like swimming, golf, and cycling typically return by six to twelve weeks, and research shows about 86 percent of patients get back to recreational sport.

I put together a full surgeon's guide on activities after hip replacement, including a week-by-week timeline, what's safe early on, when you can drive and return to work, and the high-impact activities worth approaching with caution.

Read it here: corycalendinemd.com/blog/activities-after-hip-repl…

What's the one activity you're most looking forward to getting back to? Share below 👇

5 days ago | [YT] | 22

Bone Doctor

Wondering how to ice your new knee the right way? Most patients are never given clear rules for it. In this short video, Dr. Calendine covers the one rule that protects your skin, how often to ice, whether you need a machine, and the warning signs that mean stop. What surprised you most about your own recovery so far?
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Full Video > https://youtu.be/QZ2VsR_6WFU

5 days ago | [YT] | 30

Bone Doctor

Can you tattoo over a surgical scar?
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Yes, but timing is everything. The skin heals on top in about two weeks; the tissue underneath keeps rebuilding for 12 to 18 months. Wait for flat, pale, and painless before you book. Watch video > youtube.com/shorts/QhcCOaaoaYc
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or read the full surgeon's guide: corycalendinemd.com/blog/tattoo-over-surgical-scar…
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How long did you wait before covering yours?

6 days ago | [YT] | 9

Bone Doctor

How does a new hip stay anchored without any cement? Our newest article answers the question I hear most across the desk. In a press-fit hip replacement, a titanium stem grips the thigh bone the moment it goes in, then your own bone grows into the surface over about six weeks. The full guide covers how it works step by step, who the technique suits best, and the real benefits and risks so you know what to ask.
Video link - youtube.com/shorts/RCtbCMGDlV...
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Read More about press fit #hipreplacement - corycalendinemd.com/blog/press-fit-hip-replacement…

1 week ago | [YT] | 39

Bone Doctor

New video is live. One of the biggest questions patients ask before knee replacement is simple: how do you control the pain without making my leg too weak to walk?
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In this short explainer, I walk through the motor-sparing approach we use today. The adductor canal block numbs the front of the knee while keeping the quadriceps working, and the iPACK block covers the back of the knee and upper calf. Placed under ultrasound and paired with the right medication, the two cover the whole knee while protecting the muscles you need to stand and move early.
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I also explain why those first days can feel surprisingly good, and why days three to six are often the toughest. Watch here >> https://youtu.be/fWQrkj-TqeU
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Want my articles to stand out in your Google and AI search results? Add me as a preferred source (one tap): corycalendinemd.com/preferred

1 week ago | [YT] | 44

Bone Doctor

🦵 "How bad will the pain be after my joint replacement?" It's one of the questions I hear most.

Here's the honest version: some pain and swelling are normal, especially with activity and therapy. But the goal was never zero pain on day one. It's controlling pain enough that you can move, sleep, and heal, because movement itself is part of recovery.

The big shift in recent years is multimodal pain control. Instead of leaning on opioids alone, we combine acetaminophen, anti-inflammatories, the RICE method, gentle movement, and smart sleep positioning. It often works better, with fewer side effects.
I put together a full surgeon's guide on relieving pain after surgery, including how to limit opioids and the warning signs that deserve a call.

Read it here: corycalendinemd.com/blog/how-to-relieve-pain-after…

What surprised you most about recovery pain? Share below 👇

1 week ago | [YT] | 33

Bone Doctor

Pain and joint damage are not the same thing. I see bone-on-bone X-rays with little pain, and mild arthritis that hurts every day. That is good news: it means real relief comes from more than surgery.
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New article breaks down the joint pain relief that really works, starting with simple things you can do at home today. Read it here: corycalendinemd.com/blog/joint-pain-relief-that-re…
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What helps your joints the most right now?

1 week ago | [YT] | 14