Q My uncle died of complications following hip-replacement surgery. Are there any ways to prevent or delay hip and knee surgeries? — L.C., Greenville

A I am sorry for your loss but congratulate you on your interest in prevention. Stephen Shaheen, a third-year Brody student, was interested in answering your question. Here is what Stephen learned about this subject.

Unfortunately, much of the breakdown and changes that occur in one’s body as she or he ages is the result of use. Like a car, the human body is made of a large number of systems that work together to help you function on a daily basis. And, to continue the metaphor, the body tends to accumulate more problems as one ages, and organs break down after being used too much or too little. The condition called osteoarthritis is a perfect example of gradual loss of function because of wear-and-tear in our musculoskeletal system. If you take good care of your car, you delay major problems and so it is with your body, too. You extend the life of your car’s tires if you have the right air pressure and so you might extend the life of “your wheels” by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. More about that later.

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