We should never forget the low-technology options. We need to focus more on prevention, not just for arthritis, but throughout healthcare. A focus on prevention will be a wise investment of our healthcare dollars. That is the only way to curb costs because technology to treat disease is only going to get more expensive and more expansive. Therefore, until we start looking at prevention and disease modification, we are going to have the challenge of rising healthcare costs.
Preventive measures are especially important for arthritis.
I believe that our newer treatment approaches are already saving many of these joints that otherwise would have been destined for problems. Nicholas A. DiNubile, MD is clinical assistant professor, department of orthopedic surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and orthopedic consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team and the Pennsylvania Ballet. He has been a consultant for Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. The McGraw-Hill Companies.