metro
MANAGING ARTHRITIS PAIN
HEALTH SYSTEM
Featuring:
Featuring Robb Weir, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
Jogging, tennis, racquetball — a lot of active
baby boomers have been tough on their
knees, hips and other joints all their lives.
In a quest to stay active and reduce pain, an
ever-growing number are turning to joint
replacement surgery.
Joint replacements have a high success rate,
but there are alternatives: taking steps to care
for the joints you already have. The Arthritis
Foundation and the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons suggest being kind to your joints by:
• Maintaining a healthy weight. Losing extra pounds reduces
stress and wear-and-tear on knees, hips, back and feet.
• Exercising regularly. Physical activity protects joints by
strengthening the muscles that support them.
• Swapping high-impact sports with low-impact activities.
Instead of tennis, racquetball or running, try swimming, water
aerobics, walking or golf.
• Avoiding repetitive stress. Alternating strenuous activities
with rest puts less stress on sensitive joints.
• Using over-the-counter or prescription medications to
control pain and inflammation. You can also receive injections
of corticosteroids directly in painful knee joints.
• Taking part in physical or occupational therapy. This can
increase joint flexibility, muscle strength and range of motion.
• Using mechanical aids. Braces, crutches, walkers or canes may
offer some help.
When to Replace Joints
In the best of circumstances, these lifestyle changes may be enough
to improve function and control pain. But if you have any of the
following signs, speak with your doctor about joint replacement:
• Your joint pain is disturbing your sleep.
• You've tried different noninvasive treatments, including pain
medications, and they're not controlling your joint pain.
• Your joint pain is limiting your ability to keep up a
normal routine.
• Your joint pain makes it hard for you to get out of a chair, go
up stairs or get up from the floor.
If your doctor believes you're a candidate for joint replacement,
you'll be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. Over the years, surgical
techniques have improved and new materials have been developed
for implants. As a result, these surgeries have become one of the most
dependable procedures performed today.
For more information or to make an appointment with an
orthopaedic surgeon at Henry Ford West Bloomfield, call
248-661-6470 or visit www.henryfordwestbloomfield.com/
ortho.
HENRY FORD WEST BLOOMFIELD HOSPITAL
16 September 4 • 2014
JN
The Champion Of
Grandparen+e' Rights
Local attorney's organization has
helped thousands see their grandkids.
Judy Greenwald
firm along with GRO, Victor, a key-
board player for the jazz quartet "Bare
Assets" (made up of fellow lawyers),
he secret of life is to skip hav-
has been professionally recognized by
ing children and go directly
such organizations as the American
to grandchildren:' That's
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the
according to cartoonist Mel Lazarus.
State Bar of Michigan and the Oakland
These words evoke smiles full of
County Bar Association.
love from grandparents
Some of his more
like Richard and Denise
famous cases have been
Victor of Bloomfield Hills.
the basis for television
And for Richard, "Papa"
movies, for which Victor
to two young grandsons,
acted as the legal tech-
author and a nationally
nical adviser. During
known and much-honored
the 1980s-90s, he also
family law attorney, a
appeared on local and
pro-bono case he took
national shows, discuss-
back in the late 1970s
ing his involvement in
led to his creation of the
many high-profile divorce
Grandparents Rights
and family law cases, as
Richard V ictor
Organization (GRO), a
well as those dealing with
national nonprofit.
grandparent issues.
"I began this movement
"When I appeared on
after taking a case for a
Oprah," he said, "they
grandmother who was denied see-
brought in grandparents and former
ing her grandchild after her daughter
in-laws who didn't get along and
died:' Victor, a Wayne State University
showed how I was able to not only
and Detroit College of Law graduate,
avoid litigation, but was also able to
explained. "I found out there were no
resolve their dispute and bring them
rights for grandparents — not only in
together."
the state of Michigan, but anywhere in
Victor and wife, Denise, married
the country. The reason no law existed
36 years, express great pride in their
is because no one ever thought you
children and grandchildren, and the
needed a law for grandparents to be
importance of Jewish values in fam-
able to see their grandchildren!"
ily life. Their son Daniel is the father
This and other cases from around
of two boys, Davis, 7V2, and Stirling,
the country generated national atten-
41/2; and they attend Temple Beth El.
tion, a story in Better Homes and
Son Ronald and his wife, Heather, are
Gardens and an appearance on NBC's
members of Congregation Shaarey
Today Show discussing the need for
Zedek, as are the Victors. Their daugh-
national laws. Victor received nearly
ter Sandra and her husband, Adam
2,000 letters asking for help; so he
Cosola, belong to Temple Israel.
formed GRO in 1984.
"My wife has always stood by me
According to GRO's website (www.
and believed in me and my work:'
grandparentsrights.org), the volunteer
Victor said. "And my sons were my
organization's purpose is to educate
law partners and helped with the work
and support grandparents and grand-
and many grandparent cases handled
children and to advocate their desire
through my law practice. Sandra and
to continue relationships that are
Adam are my biggest supporters:'
threatened with loss of contact follow-
There's no denying the best feel-
ing family acrimony.
ing of being a grandparent, Richard
GRO has assisted hundreds of
continued. "The unconditional love
thousands of grandparents in the 30
we can give and receive from these
years of its existence, Victor said. "Our
little people cannot be measured:' he
said. "The joy in seeing their smiling
slogan is: `GRO believes that if death
takes a grandparent from a grandchild faces or getting their hugs and kisses
that is a tragedy, but if family bicker-
lights up our days, and we love to hear
ing denies a child the love of a grand-
those famous words, 'I don't want to
parent, then that is a shame:"
go home ... I want to stay with Bubbie
In addition to building his own law
and Papa!"'
Special to the Jewish News
T
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