"It told me we need to do a little better job (as orthopedic surgeons) of answering those questions in the office or on follow-up," he said. "For some reason, that had not been an easy process for many of them."

While a few callers asked about rheumatoid arthritis, the two specialists said they don't see many patients suffering with that disease, likely because medication regimens have improved dramatically within the past few years.

Aguirre says the rheumatoid patients he does see in physical therapy "don't heal as well as other patients, even after a minor scope," because of the devastation the disease causes.

Rasmussen said as he spoke with callers, it became clear that health-care providers can do a better job of tailoring treatment to individual patients, as the TOSH Moves program does, rather than mandating exercise or other options without taking personal motivation and lifestyle into consideration.

"Some people may benefit from pool therapy, but they don't like the water or they don't like to exercise in groups," he said. "We need to try and adapt programs to motivate people to do what they need to do, rather than simply tell them to eat right and exercise, because we know that doesn't work."

e-mail: carrie@desnews.com