When hip and knee arthritis pain interferes with your active Nashville lifestyle, Dr. Cory Calendine at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee believes in exploring every nonsurgical treatment option before considering surgery. As a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon serving Franklin, Brentwood, and the Greater Nashville area, Dr. Calendine takes a comprehensive approach to arthritis and joint pain management, offering proven conservative treatments that can help you return to the activities you love without the need for immediate surgical intervention.

Many patients throughout Middle Tennessee have found significant relief from joint pain through Dr. Calendine's personalized nonsurgical treatment plans. From advanced injection therapies to cutting-edge regenerative medicine options available at Williamson Medical Center, these evidence-based treatments can often delay or even eliminate the need for joint replacement surgery while improving your quality of life and mobility.

Dr. Calendine typically begins arthritis treatment for his Nashville and Franklin patients with carefully selected medications that can provide significant pain relief while you explore other conservative treatment options. For many patients dealing with hip and knee osteoarthritis in Middle Tennessee, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) offer an effective first step in managing daily discomfort. Dr. Calendine also frequently recommends anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) that not only reduce pain but also target the inflammation that contributes to joint stiffness and swelling.

When over-the-counter options aren't providing adequate relief for his Greater Nashville area patients, Dr. Calendine may prescribe stronger prescription-strength NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that offer more powerful pain and inflammation control. These prescription medications are carefully selected based on your specific condition, medical history, and individual response to treatment, ensuring you receive the most effective arthritis management plan possible.

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory joint conditions, Dr. Calendine may recommend specialized medications called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These advanced treatments, including medications like methotrexate and etanercept (Enbrel), work differently than traditional pain relievers by actually slowing the progression of inflammatory arthritis. While NSAIDs typically provide relief within hours of taking them, DMARDs require patience as they build up in your system over weeks or months to achieve optimal results. Dr. Calendine closely monitors all patients on these medications through regular follow-up appointments at Williamson Medical Center to ensure both safety and effectiveness.

Dr. Calendine offers specialized joint injection therapies at Williamson Medical Center that provide many Nashville and Franklin patients with significant pain relief when oral medications aren't enough. These minimally invasive treatments can help you avoid or delay joint replacement surgery while maintaining your active Middle Tennessee lifestyle.

Cortisone injections are particularly effective for Nashville-area patients experiencing joint swelling and inflammation from arthritis. Dr. Calendine uses precise, image-guided techniques to deliver these powerful anti-inflammatory medications directly into your affected hip or knee joint, often providing relief that lasts several months. While cortisone injections work exceptionally well for reducing swelling and inflammation, they may offer more limited benefits if your arthritis has significantly affected joint movement. Dr. Calendine carefully monitors the frequency of these injections to ensure your safety, as there are recommended limits on how often cortisone treatments should be administered each year.

For patients in Franklin and Greater Nashville seeking a different approach to joint pain relief, Dr. Calendine offers viscosupplementation treatments using hyaluronic acid injections. This innovative therapy works by essentially restoring the natural lubrication within your knee or hip joint, helping it move more smoothly and with less pain. Dr. Calendine selects from several proven hyaluronic acid formulations, including Synvisc, Orthovisc, Supartz, and Hyalgan, choosing the specific treatment that best matches your individual needs and arthritis severity.

While knee injections can often be performed in the office setting, hip joint injections require Dr. Calendine's specialized expertise due to the complex anatomy surrounding the hip. These procedures are typically performed with advanced imaging guidance to ensure precise placement and optimal results for his Middle Tennessee patients.

Dr. Calendine understands that many patients with hip and knee arthritis also struggle with weight management, which is why he takes a comprehensive approach to helping you achieve lasting joint pain relief. The relationship between weight and joint health is profound, and even modest weight loss can provide dramatic improvements in your daily comfort and mobility throughout Middle Tennessee's active lifestyle.

The science behind weight and joint health is compelling: your hips and knees bear three to five times your body weight during everyday activities like climbing stairs, getting out of your car, or rising from a chair. This means that every ten pounds of excess weight creates an additional fifty pounds of pressure on your already painful joints. Dr. Calendine explains this concept to his patients because understanding these mechanics can be incredibly motivating when you're working toward your weight loss goals.

The encouraging news for Franklin and Nashville patients is that even small amounts of weight loss can lead to significant improvements in arthritis pain and function. Dr. Calendine has seen many patients experience better walking ability, reduced daily discomfort, and improved quality of life after losing just 10-15 pounds. As part of his comprehensive arthritis treatment approach at Williamson Medical Center, Dr. Calendine can connect you with nutritional resources and weight management support that complement your other nonsurgical treatments, helping you achieve the best possible outcomes for your joint health.

Dr. Calendine strongly believes that the right exercise program can be transformative for his patients dealing with hip and knee arthritis. When properly designed and supervised, therapeutic exercise helps increase your range of motion, improve flexibility, and strengthen the supporting muscles around your joints. Many of Dr. Calendine's Middle Tennessee patients discover that a well-structured exercise routine significantly reduces their daily pain while improving their ability to enjoy activities they thought they'd lost forever.

Understanding that every patient's arthritis affects them differently, Dr. Calendine works closely with skilled physical therapists throughout the Greater Nashville area to develop personalized exercise programs that match your current fitness level, lifestyle, and specific joint challenges. For patients with early to moderate arthritis, exercise often provides excellent pain relief and functional improvement. However, Dr. Calendine recognizes that those with more advanced arthritis may initially experience some discomfort during exercise, which is why he carefully monitors your progress and adjusts your program to ensure you're getting maximum benefit with minimal pain.

The physical therapy team that Dr. Calendine collaborates with at Williamson Medical Center specializes in arthritis management and understands how to modify exercises based on your individual response and goals. Whether you're an active Nashville professional looking to maintain your fitness routine or a Franklin retiree wanting to stay mobile for your grandchildren, Dr. Calendine ensures your exercise program is designed around your specific needs and lifestyle. This personalized approach to therapeutic exercise often helps patients improve their function and delay the need for more aggressive treatments while maintaining their independence and quality of life throughout Middle Tennessee.

Dr. Calendine partners with experienced physical therapists throughout Franklin and Nashville who specialize in arthritis management to provide his patients with targeted muscle strengthening and joint protection strategies. The specialized physical therapy programs that Dr. Calendine recommends focus on strengthening the muscles surrounding your affected hip or knee joints, essentially creating natural "shock absorbers" that reduce the stress and impact on your arthritic joints during daily activities.

Patients working with Dr. Calendine's recommended physical therapy team at Williamson Medical Center often experience remarkable improvements in their arthritis symptoms. The comprehensive approach typically includes targeted exercises to reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness while systematically improving your joint function and mobility. Many Nashville and Middle Tennessee patients are amazed at how much easier everyday movements become after completing their physical therapy program – activities like walking up stairs, bending to pick up grandchildren, kneeling in the garden, squatting to reach low shelves, or simply sitting and standing from chairs become significantly more comfortable and natural.

Dr. Calendine's collaborative approach ensures that your physical therapy treatment integrates seamlessly with your other arthritis management strategies, whether that includes medications, injections, or other conservative treatments. The physical therapists he works with understand the specific goals for each patient and design programs that not only address your current limitations but also help prevent further joint deterioration, potentially delaying or eliminating the need for surgical intervention while keeping you active in the Greater Nashville community.

Dr. Calendine frequently recommends specialized knee braces for his Nashville and Franklin patients who have arthritis affecting primarily one compartment of their knee joint. These medical-grade braces, available through his practice at Williamson Medical Center, can provide significant stability and functional improvement, especially for patients with arthritis concentrated on the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) portion of their knee.

The right knee brace can be transformative for many Middle Tennessee patients dealing with arthritis-related instability, allowing them to remain active in their work and recreational activities while providing crucial support during daily movements. Dr. Calendine works with orthotics specialists throughout the Greater Nashville area who understand the specific biomechanical needs of arthritis patients and can create custom-fitted braces that offer optimal support without restricting your natural movement patterns.

While knee braces aren't the right solution for every patient, Dr. Calendine carefully evaluates each individual's specific arthritis pattern, activity level, and lifestyle needs to determine when bracing can provide meaningful benefit. For patients who are good candidates for bracing, the fitting process is handled by experienced professionals who ensure proper alignment and comfort. Dr. Calendine often combines knee bracing with other conservative treatments like physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications to provide comprehensive arthritis management that helps his Franklin and Nashville patients maintain their independence and active lifestyles.

Dr. Calendine believes in exploring every safe and potentially beneficial treatment option for his Nashville and Franklin patients, which is why he stays current on alternative therapies that may complement traditional arthritis treatments. As part of his comprehensive approach to joint pain management at Williamson Medical Center, Dr. Calendine can discuss various alternative treatment options and help you understand which therapies may fit into your personalized arthritis management plan.

Many of Dr. Calendine's patients have found acupuncture to be a valuable addition to their arthritis treatment regimen. This ancient practice uses fine, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body to help reduce pain and inflammation. Growing research evidence supports acupuncture's effectiveness for arthritis pain relief, and Dr. Calendine can refer his Greater Nashville area patients to qualified acupuncturists who have experience working with orthopedic conditions and understand how to integrate their treatments with your overall medical care.

Dr. Calendine also stays informed about emerging treatments like electromagnetic field therapy and other innovative approaches to arthritis management. While some of these newer therapies show promise, Dr. Calendine ensures that his Franklin and Nashville patients understand the current state of research for any treatment they're considering. Regarding newer biologic therapies such as stem cell and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections, Dr. Calendine follows the current guidelines from orthopedic surgery organizations and discusses with patients when these treatments may be appropriate based on their specific condition and the evolving research in this field.

Dr. Calendine's approach is to provide you with honest, evidence-based information about all available treatment options, helping you make informed decisions that align with your values, lifestyle, and treatment goals while ensuring your safety and optimal outcomes.