Alan B. Knopf, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon from California. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Knopf teaches both residents and medical students and enjoys an active lifestyle. As an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Knopf sees many patients who suffer from arthritis and can completely understand their pain because he suffers from it too.

In Dr. Knopf's case, the gradual effects of degenerative arthritis in his knees had a debilitating impact on his life. After a while he could no longer participate in many of the leisure activities he enjoyed such as running, walking and skiing. His professional activities were affected as well. "I could no longer stand for any length of time," recalls Dr. Knopf. "I even had to sit to perform surgery." Dr. Knopf believes that a major problem with arthritis is that patients simply live with the pain until it starts to affect their daily living activities.

To alleviate his pain, Dr. Knopf underwent total joint replacement surgeries in both of his knees. He can now stand for almost-normal lengths of time without pain. Although his awkward gait from his knee arthritis has caused subsequent degeneration of his lumbar spine, Dr. Knopf feels he has his life back. He credits the successful results of his surgeries to the many advancements in joint replacement procedures. "Just a few years ago, these surgeries were not even available. I would be totally disabled today without the medical advancements that made these procedures a reality," states Dr. Knopf.

Despite these treatment advances, Dr. Knopf feels strongly that more research is needed. "We need to improve the function and longevity of total joint implants by looking for longer-lasting plastic, metal and ceramic implants. We also need more funding for basic cartilage research to find a way to prevent degenerative changes, as well as pharmaceutical and stem cell research to improve the health of cartilage and prevent breakdown."

Dr. Knopf is correct. Patients are seeking joint replacements at younger ages at the same time the aging population is growing. The need for alternative arthritis treatments and joint replacements is expected to grow in the coming decades. Now is the time to put resources toward research to ensure that new procedures and technologies are safe, effective and available to those who need them. Keeping people active as they age gives them the chance to continue as independent, fulfilled and productive members of our society.

Facts about arthritis. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 70 million (or about one of every three) adults. More than half of the U.S. population older than age 65 have some form of arthritis. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most common. Arthritis accounts for more than 39 million physician visits and more than 750,000 hospitalizations each year.