Living With Arthritis: Modern Treatments Helping You Stay Active for Longer
For many people, arthritis is something they quietly learn to live with.
It starts as stiffness or discomfort, then slowly limits walking, exercise and daily activities. Over time, pain can become constant, affecting sleep, independence and overall quality of life.
For many, arthritis is seen as an unavoidable part of getting older. But while it is common, living with constant pain and declining mobility doesn't have to be accepted as "just ageing."
As Dr Anil Goudar explains, the way arthritis is managed has changed significantly in recent years.
“Arthritis care has evolved a lot,” Dr Goudar said.
“We now have far more options to help people stay mobile and manage pain before surgery ever becomes necessary.”
Arthritis Is Common — But It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
With a growing ageing population across the Illawarra and South Coast, arthritis of the hip and knee is increasingly common.
“Wear and tear plays a role, but arthritis isn’t the same for everyone,” Dr Goudar said.
“Some people cope well for years, while others are significantly affected much earlier.”
The key is understanding how much arthritis is present and how much it’s impacting daily life.
“It’s not just about what we see on an X-ray,” he said.
“It’s about how the patient is functioning.”
Staying Mobile Through Non-Surgical Care
At Joint Vision, arthritis management often begins with conservative treatment aimed at reducing pain and maintaining movement.
This may include:
physiotherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation
imaging-guided injections
pain management strategies
activity modification and lifestyle support
“If we can give someone a few more good years of mobility without surgery, that’s a positive outcome,” Dr Goudar said.
For many patients, these approaches can significantly improve comfort and function, delaying or even avoiding the need for surgery.
When Arthritis Progresses
There are cases, however, where arthritis becomes advanced.
“In some hips, the joint becomes bone-on-bone or the femoral head collapses,” Dr Goudar said.
“In those situations, non-surgical measures won’t reverse the problem.”
Delaying treatment in these cases can actually worsen outcomes.
“When arthritis reaches that stage, surgery can restore mobility and relieve pain far more effectively,” he said.
“And often, earlier intervention leads to a smoother recovery.”
How Surgical Care Has Changed
Modern joint replacement surgery has evolved alongside advances in non-surgical care.
“We’re now able to plan surgery in a much more patient-specific way,” Dr Goudar said.
“That means recreating a person’s natural anatomy as closely as possible.”
Advances include:
improved implant materials
patient-specific planning using advanced imaging
refined surgical approaches that support faster recovery
“Patients are often surprised by how quickly they’re up and moving compared to years ago,” he said.
Age Is Not the Deciding Factor
One of the most common misconceptions Dr Goudar encounters is that age alone determines whether someone is suitable for joint replacement.
“Age is just a number,” he said.
“What matters is overall health, symptoms and quality of life.”
Younger patients sometimes worry they’re too young, while older patients assume they’re too old.
“Both assumptions can be wrong,” Dr Goudar said.
“The decision should be individual, not based on a birth date.”
A Team-Based Approach to Long-Term Outcomes
Arthritis care at Joint Vision is supported by a multidisciplinary team.
“For patients, that means continuity,” Dr Goudar said.
“They’re supported before surgery, after surgery, and even if surgery isn’t needed.”
This team-based approach helps ensure:
issues are identified early
recovery is monitored closely
care is adapted as needs change
“It’s about supporting people for the long term, not just treating a joint,” he said.
Living Well With Arthritis
While arthritis can’t be reversed, it can be managed effectively, often for many years.
“People don’t have to put their life on hold because of arthritis,” Dr Goudar said.
“With the right care, many can stay active, independent and doing what they enjoy.”
If arthritis is starting to limit your mobility or quality of life, early assessment can help clarify your options and guide the next steps.
👉 Learn more about hip and knee care at Joint Vision or book an appointment today → jointvision.com.au
Dr Anil Goudar is an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, specialising in the treatment of hip and knee conditions. A Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and a member of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, he has more than a decade of experience caring for patients across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and South Coast. Dr Goudar has specialist training in hip and knee joint replacement surgery and experience in bone and soft tissue tumours.