Last week’s program was presented by Rotarian Jana Butler.  Jana’s guest speaker was Scott Goldsmith, MD of South Florida Baptist Hospital.  Dr. Goldsmith spoke to us about knee and hip arthritis and robotic orthopedic surgery to replace knee’s and hips.  Dr. Goldsmith has brought cutting edge technological medical treatment to SFBH for total joint replacement and orthopedic surgery.  There are currently 7 orthopedic surgeons and 7 Physicians assistants at SFBH.  Approximately 43 million people suffer from arthritis with the elderly and obese being most likely to have arthritis and most common in the hip and knee.  85% - 95% is osteoarthritis…basically, the joint is worn out with the cartilage gone resulting in “bone on bone” movement giving great inflammation and pain in the affected area.  Dr. Goldsmith treats patients, not MRI’s.  It is important to treat the person and the affliction, put “hands on” and evaluate the “person”.  Since there is no cure for arthritis, treatment is the only option for relief.  Treatment options include; weight loss and exercise, medication (cortosone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflamatories, etc.), walking device exercise, non-impact exercise (swimming) and physical therapy.  When all else fails, and the patient is mentally prepared, elective replacement surgery is an option.  The goal of total joint replacement is to relieve pain, restore motion, and quality of life.  Dr. Goldsmith uses a robotic assisted surgery which is more precise and accurate with a very high success rate.  It is about a 45 minute surgery with walking the next day then going home the following day after 2 physical therapy treatments.  Realistic expectations are impossible to know with many variable factors but, after reviewing 20 year studies, and with the improvements in technology, total hip and knee replacement should last 30-40 years.  -submitted by Mike Arndt