If I’ve learned anything during nearly six decades of reporting on medical science, it’s that the longer you wait, the better the methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment are likely to become. That’s true for almost every field of medicine — cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, etc. And it may be particularly relevant for orthopedic surgery, a specialty facing ever-increasing demands from an aging population with bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles that break down after decades of wear and tear. Although repairing these body parts is rarely urgent, many people endure painful ..read more

Our office is physically closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Dr. Meere’s team – front desk, presurgical coordination and billing – are all working remotely from home. Here are our numbers: Front desk: Nessa and Ingrid (212) 263-2366 Presurgical coordination: Alexandra (212) 263-6285 Billing: Maria (212) 263-7284 Our lines are open Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm, and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm. Dr. Meere is also available for Telehealth encounters. The post COVID-19 Update appeared first on Patrick A. Meere, M.D ..read more

When is knee arthroscopy recommended and why is it the best choice? The knee joint is not only one of the most complex joints in the body, it also happens to be the largest. The four main parts of the knee are: Bones – three bones come together to make up the knee joint, the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone) and the patella (kneecap). Ligaments – ligaments connect bones to other bones. The ligaments in the knee are the medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament, located on the sides of the joint and the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments that crisscross ..read more

Are there things that can be done to reduce hip and knee fractures by preventing osteoporosis? Besides her iconic movie roles, legendary actress Bette Davis was known for being rather outspoken. One of her more memorable quotes, which was about the process of growing older, was “Old Age Isn’t for Sissies!” If that made you laugh, it’s probably because you are still too young to realize that she was stating a fact, not making a joke. Thanks to breakthroughs in modern medicine, life expectancy keeps increasing. It would seem like there would be little argument to that being a good thing, b ..read more

If I have knee joint replacement surgery, will I have to have it redone sometime in the future? Total knee joint replacement surgery is one of the most successful procedures being done today. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, well over 600,000 of these procedures are performed each year in the U.S alone, resulting in reduced pain and restored mobility for patients. Recovery time is shorter and far less uncomfortable than in the not too distant past, due to the use of minimally invasive arthroplasty and nanotechnology.  Plus, on top of innovative methods and a v ..read more

Hip issues are sneaky. One day, you’re living your best life, playing a pick-up game of basketball in a New York park or lifting weights at your favorite gym. The next day, you’re popping over-the-counter pain medications and rubbing your achy joints when a storm approaches. OK, that might be a little dramatic. But it is certainly true that hip problems can surprise you when you least expect them. Men’s Health recently spotlighted the phenomenon of men undergoing hip surgery or therapy earlier than previous generations. For some, hip issues emerge as early as in the 20s, and more and more 45 ..read more

I love seeing New York patients who are living life to the max after having a hip or knee replacement surgery under my care! I take great pride in researching and applying new and innovative techniques in my operating rooms, and I do my best to take time to educate individuals about how a joint surgery will impact them. Connection Between Hip Replacement and Life Expectancy Last year, research published in ScienceDaily found a connection between hip replacement surgery and longer life expectancy. According to the study, “Hip replacement surgery not only improves quality of life but is a ..read more

Whether you love or hate your job, chances are you spend a lot of time at it. In New York and beyond, Americans work hard. In fact, some individuals even consider putting off key joint replacement surgeries for fear of missing time at the office. This can be negative for several reasons. First, it can impact your quality of work if your pain is debilitating enough to affect your skillset. Additionally, putting off a procedure, particularly if your job involves placing weight or pressure on your knees and hips, can make your situation worse and cause a future operation to be more complex in nat ..read more

When you are recovering from a hip surgery, the last thing you want to do is place an unnecessary amount of strain on your healing joint. At the same time, you need to keep moving in order to help your body properly heal and avoid gaining extra weight that can cause problems down the line. So what’s the solution? Many people find aquatic therapy to be a perfect fit, and New Yorkers have a variety of pools to choose from. Here are a few reasons to consider water therapy as you recover from a partial or full hip replacement surgery. It’s healthy Studies indicate that aquatic therapy deliv ..read more

Joint pain is so frustrating, especially when it impacts your hips. As you age, it’s important to keep track of your hip joint aches to see what the underlying problem might be and how you can make it stop. Below are a few things that I tell my New York patients to be aware of. By better understanding your joint health, you can make more informed choices about the best ways to handle it. Pain type All individuals feel pain in a unique way. Some tell me that their hip aches are sharp and sporadic. Others report continuous, dull pain. Still, other patients report that their joints feel te ..read more