It’s inevitable — as we age, our joints do too, and years of wear and tear can take their toll.
The result? Pain, stiffness, and limited movement.
Fortunately, Dr. Vasilios Mathews provides excellent patient care due to his insight, experience, and sensitivity. He has mastered state-of-the-art orthopedic surgical techniques, from robotic knee replacement to hip replacement, revision procedures that address unsuccessful previous surgery, and more.
Dr. Mathews is also highly invested in educating patients on how to care for their joints so they can enjoy active lives.
As we enter 2026, we have important advice on how you can support your joint health to maintain optimal movement and comfort.
Heeding these five joint self-care tips can help you stay comfortable throughout this year and longer. As your partner in care, Dr. Mathews believes that taking a long view and treating your joints well helps you stay out of pain today and tomorrow.
Extra pounds strain your joints, cause pain and discomfort, and even put you at higher risk for surgery down the road. Maintaining a healthy weight range is critical to your joint health.
With a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise, you can achieve your goal weight safely if you need to shed some weight.
Your body is meant to move, and regular exercise is good for your joints because it helps you improve flexibility, maintain range of motion, and stay well-balanced (which lowers your fall risk)— all things that are good for your joints.
Rather than engaging in activities that are hard on your knees and hips, such as sports that involve a lot of jumping (think basketball and tennis), opt for low-impact activities that are gentle on your joints.
Some examples of low-impact exercises include walking, bicycling, and swimming.
Try to eat plenty of fruits and veggies, nuts, legumes like peas and beans, fish, and good-for-you fats like olive oil to support your joint health. It’s also essential to steer clear of ultra-processed foods like cakes and cookies, chips, and fast food.
The link between diet and joint health is strong, and research has shown that following a Mediterranean diet (similar to the guidelines outlined above) may reduce inflammation and slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
If you don’t smoke, never start, but if you do, look into a cessation program ASAP.
There are myriad minuses to smoking, but the habit is bad for your joints, too. It causes you to experience bone loss at a more rapid rate, which is a significant hindrance to your joint health.
Quitting makes it less likely you’ll break a hip, knee, or other bone.
Listening to your body is vital for maintaining joint health.
Call Dr. Mathews if you notice new or worsening joint pain, and resist any urge to “power through it.” The sooner you’re treated, the better.
The same advice holds true if you sustain an injury. Consult with Dr. Mathews to ensure that you’re using the appropriate home treatments, and he may also recommend other conservative approaches or, if necessary, surgery.
Taking great care of your joints this year will help you move freely and comfortably and enjoy your favorite activities, from gardening to hiking and beyond.
When you come to us for care, Dr. Mathews is with you every step of the way. If it turns out that you need surgery, he tries to use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible because this type of surgery is associated with faster healing, less pain, and reduced scarring, bleeding, and infection risk.
You can depend on Dr. Mathews no matter what joint symptoms you’re experiencing. He’s dedicated to creating the right treatment plan for you and eliminating your pain, stiffness, and other unpleasant joint symptoms.
Contact our conveniently located Houston office at 713-794-3548, or book an appointment online.
