Arthritis

Adding a creatine supplement to a strengthening exercise program can be beneficial for patients with knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA), a result of the wearing away of a protective substance known as articular cartilage, is a prevalent and burdensome condition, and it tends to occur frequently in the knees and in more women than men. Already disabling on its own, those with knee OA who also have weak quadriceps (thigh muscles) are at an additional disadvantage, as it leads to further functional impairments and difficulties in everyday life. On the other hand, a stronger quadriceps could halt the progression of knee OA, which would in turn reduce pain and improve function. For this reason, programs that strengthen the knee have been recommended for OA patients, and one recent development has been supplementing these programs with creatine, a natural organic compound that encourages rapid muscle growth. Based on these components, a study investigated if adding creatine to a strengthening exercise program could lead to additional benefits than the program alone, and results showed the supplement to be extremely helpful in a number of ways.

For those going to physical therapy for hip osteoarthritis, certain factors predict a better recovery
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that becomes more likely to occur with age, and of which there is still no definitive treatment that completely rids patients of pain. One approach to OA that has been garnering attention is to identify certain factors that predict which patients are more likely to respond well to treatments like physical therapy (PT), and taking note of this, a study sought to discover these factors for hip OA. Results from the study identified being aged 58 or younger and suffering from hip OA for one year or less to be amongst five predictive factors that should be used by physical therapists and known by patients to help facilitate recovery from hip OA.

Knuckle crackers can breathe easily: no associations found to osteoarthritis
When you think about knuckle cracking, whether you do it yourself or not, chances are more than likely that the rumor of it causing arthritis will also pop up in your head in some form or another. Most people are at least aware of this urban legend, but some are uncertain of its validity and if there's any actual medical backing to it. Responding to this prevailing sentiment, a study looked into the relationship between knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis in depth, trying to determine if there was in fact any connection. Fortunately for knuckle crackers, no evidence was found of any association between the two, which doesn't guarantee it's safe, but does plenty to dispel the common rumor with great support.

Losing weight, engaging in prevention programs among ways to avoid knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA), which is defined by the breakdown of protective articular cartilage in a joint and leads to pain and limitation of movement, is the most common musculoskeletal disease and occurs most frequently in the knee. Though knee OA usually affects athletes involved in high-risk sports, it may also claim the knees of those over the age of 60. In an attempt to reduce its occurrence rates, a review was organized with some helpful tips for athletes and others at risk. Aside from the increasing risk for knee OA that comes as age increases, the review named the three most important risk factors high body mass index (BMI), excessive stress to the knee and previous knee injury. Based on those risk factors, the review suggested weight loss and prevention programs targeted at patients with previous knee injuries as effective strategies to reduce knee OA occurrence. The review also suggested that athletes involved in high-risk sports (soccer, football, basketball) take extra care and educate themselves on how to avoid OA.

The approach towards osteoarthritis treatment in the medical world needs to change drastically
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a growing problem on an international scale that is receiving growing recognition for the potential dangers and costs it presents if not dealt with properly, but for some reason there are still no significant improvements in the management of the disease. One of the most important issues with current treatment is that it only seeks to alleviate symptoms and reduce the severity of the disease rather than actually cure it. In a call to action, an article was written that urges medical professionals to come together and establish a definitive model for treating OA that doesn't stop short at mere symptom reduction, but actually focuses on completely eliminating symptoms and halting the progression of the disease. With a new paradigm and unified approach to the disease, OA rates can be reduced significantly and provide millions with safer and healthier lives.

NSNSAIDs proven to be much safer than opioids for older adults with arthritis
Analgesics such as opioids, nonselective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSNSAIDs) and coxibs are popular prescriptions these days for older adults, especially those with arthritis. Yet despite their common usage, the comparative safety of these drugs, particularly opioids, is not well understood. Prescribers of these medications should have access to better information regarding these important safety levels in order to make the best decisions for choosing which drugs to prescribe. In order to rectify this problem, data pertaining to each medication group was compared side-by-side, and opioids were proven to be the most dangerous of the three, while NSNSAIDs were shown to be the safest. Opioid use should therefore be approached with caution and NSNSAIDs should be prescribed more often.

Full-scale evaluation of various treatments for knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is an extremely prevalent and hampering condition defined by the breakdown of joint articular cartilage that causes pain and discomfort and occurs in the knee more than any other bodily location. It's estimated that more than 30% of adults over the age of 60 experience functional limitations due to knee OA today, which detracts majorly from their quality of life (QoL) and costs the health care system billions of dollars annually. For this reason and more, it's essential that all available treatments are analyzed for their effectiveness and that physical therapists stay current on how to administer optimal care for the droves who suffer from knee OA. Noting this, a systematic review was created that evaluated various interventions for knee OA with the intention of determining which is most effective and if there are any other variables that need to be considered in constructing a treatment plan for knee OA.

Stem cells used in new treatment for damaged cartilage to prevent osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, the wearing away of cartilage in a joint, is the most common form of arthritis in the country, and is often caused by weakened or damaged cartilage as a result of injury. Damaged cartilage is usually treated with a procedure known as microfracture, which is only semi-effective and of which the long-term benefits are not known. With a new approach in mind, Dr. Constance Chu of the University of Pittsburgh has been working for the past 20 years on new forms of treatment that use stem cells to regenerate new, improved cartilage.

Cod liver oil supplements capable of reducing Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are forced to limit their usage of NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are essential for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, yet certain people have to limit their usage of NSAIDs due to unwanted gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects. A Scottish study found that cod liver oil supplements were able to lower the amount of NSAIDs taken on a regular basis by a significant degree.

Joint team takes modified approach to preventing PTOA
Orthopedics from the University of Iowa and biomaterials specialists from Iowa State University are in the process of working together to create an improved treatment for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), a condition that usually comes as a result of serious joint injuries.

A call for more conclusive evidence on treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee
Osteoarthritis of the knee remains one of the leading causes of debilitation and disability throughout the country, affecting one out of every 10 Americans over the age of 64 and costing more than $81 billion in medical care, lost wages and other expenses While a great many treatments have made their way into common prescriptive methods, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has determined that these forms of treatment are insufficient and under proven, and that more dedicated efforts need to be made towards finding a working remedy for the disease.

Arthroscopic surgery vs. physical therapy for treatment of Osteoarthritis of the knee
Osteoarthritis of the knee (OA knee) is a condition that can be treated with extensive physical and medical therapy or with arthroscopic surgery in other situations. While arthroscopy has risen in popularity, whether or not it is actually more effective than therapy alone is a matter of debate. An investigation sent nearly 200 eligible patients to both forms of treatment and evaluated which was a more beneficial means of alleviating pain.

Osteoarthritis-relieving "device" may supersede Cortisone injections
Cortisone injections have long been a preferred form of treatment for osteoarthritis, the degeneration of articular cartilage in and around joints. With an influx of studies that have actually proven Cortisone injections to be harmful after repeated use, however, a newer treatment classified as a "device," visco supplementation is on the rise.