BATON ROUGE — October marks National Bone and Joint Health Awareness Month, shining a spotlight on musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis and chronic joint pain—some of the leading causes of disability nationwide.

For former athlete Robert Vanelli, overcoming severe joint degeneration meant first tackling a daunting physical hurdle.

By age 18, Vanelli was a three-time Triple Crown karate champion. But years after leaving competitive sports, he found himself facing a painful battle against his own body. Severe hip deterioration left his joints virtually worn away, and after reaching 330 pounds, he frequently had to rely on a wheelchair to get around.

"We knew the hips were just gone, completely gone. There was nothing we could do about it," Vanelli said. "And the longer I waited, the worse it got."

Despite his need for relief, surgeons initially ruled out a double hip replacement due to the health risks associated with high body weight.

"When you're talking about someone with a large BMI, there are a lot of potential complications that can occur if you undergo that surgery," explained Dr. Kenneth Sands, an orthopedic surgeon at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute.

Dr. Sands asked Vanelli to lose at least 30 pounds before proceeding. Because high-impact exercise was too agonizing, Vanelli turned to low-impact water therapy, including pool walking, alongside major lifestyle changes focused on nutrition, hydration, and better sleep.

Within six months, Vanelli surpassed expectations, dropping more than 100 pounds.

The dramatic weight reduction cleared him for an advanced, muscle-sparing surgical technique. According to Dr. Sands, avoiding incisions through major muscle groups vastly improves early mobility: "The ability for someone to just get up and get started with their recovery faster is greatly improved."

Vanelli felt the difference immediately.

"Fifteen minutes after my surgery, I was up walking around and smiling and laughing," Vanelli said.

Today, simple milestones like climbing stairs mark a renewed chapter of independence.

"When you've had to learn to walk again, you don't take simple movements for granted," Vanelli said. "When I do it, I have to stop for a moment and go, wow, did I just do that?"