From Dr. Akhtar
Straight answers to the questions patients ask most, written and reviewed by Dr. Nauman Akhtar.
Arthritis rarely announces the right moment. These are the signs I talk through with patients when they ask whether it's time.
Robotics & researchPatients often ask me whether robotic surgery is “better.” Here is an honest summary of what the evidence shows, and where it is still catching up.
KneeMany people assume a bad knee means a total knee replacement. For the right patient, a partial replacement can be the better operation.
ShoulderA decade ago, reverse shoulder replacement was mainly a salvage operation. Today it's the most common shoulder replacement in the country. Here's why.
RecoveryThe most common question I hear before surgery is what you'll be able to do afterward. The answer is usually more than you expect.
RecoveryKnowing what's ahead makes recovery easier. Here are the typical milestones after knee replacement, and how partial knee recovery differs.
Conservative careFew people are eager for knee surgery, and injections can help. Here's how the main types compare, and what to realistically expect.
Joint healthIf your knees act up in winter or your hip predicts the rain, you're not imagining it. Here's what helps.
Deciding on surgeryIt's one of the first questions patients ask me. The good news is that modern implants last a long time. The honest news is that your age changes the equation.
Joint healthMore of my patients are taking GLP-1 medications. Here's what the early research shows, and what to tell your surgical team before a knee or hip replacement.
RecoveryA decade ago, a knee replacement meant several days in the hospital. Today, many of my patients sleep in their own bed the same night.
Conservative careIf you have knee arthritis, you've probably seen the ads. Before you spend thousands of dollars, here's what the FDA wants patients to know.
RecoveryGetting back to the game is one of the most common goals I hear. Here's what the research says, and how to play smart.
Life after surgeryFor years, joint replacement patients were told to take antibiotics before every dental visit. The guidance has changed.
RecoveryThe weeks before surgery are a chance to get a head start on recovery. Here's what the research says prehab actually does.
Joint healthRunners hear it all the time: “You're going to wreck your knees.” The research tells a more interesting story.
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