Arthritis

Published on: May 27, 2014

Drinking Milk Could Slow Progression of Arthritis in Women

Persons who suffer from debilitating knee arthritis may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if the pain impairs their ability to work and earn a living.

Something as simple as drinking six glasses of milk per week could actually help slow down the progression of painful and disabling knee arthritis in women. According to new research that was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH), women who drink more quantities of low fat and fat-free milk see a slower progression of knee arthritis. However, the same results were not seen when men drank the same amount of milk. Furthermore, women in the study did not see the same types of benefits when they consumed other dairy products, such as yogurt or cheese.

Researchers were looking at the effect of dairy products on the progression of knee arthritis, a fairly common form of osteoarthritis, which affects nearly 27 million Americans above the age of 25. Women tend to be much more frequent victims of knee arthritis, which can lead to consistent and disabling pain. The study analyzed more than 1,200 women and monitored the progression of knee arthritis in these women when they consumed significant quantities of milk.

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Published on: May 9, 2014

Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked to Kidney Disease

By Lisa Siegel

Persons who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may experience a number of symptoms including swelling, pain and fatigue that may prevent them from standing for long periods of time, or performing certain routine activities. A new study finds that persons who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may actually be at a much higher risk for suffering kidney disease.

The study which was conducted at Mayo Clinic focused on 813 people who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and compared them with another group of people who did not suffer from the condition. They found that over a period of 20 years, persons who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis had a 25% risk of developing chronic kidney disease. In the general population, the risk was 20%. According to researchers, that may not seem like a statistically significant disparity, but it is quite a big difference, and creates serious implications for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Typically, a person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis may suffer from stiffness of the joints because of inflammation. In fact, this is a hallmark characteristic of this condition, and the stiffened joints make the upper and lower extremities difficult to use. Apart from stiffness, patients may also suffer from chronic pain and severe fatigue, both of which affect their ability to work. Approximately one out of three people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis leave their jobs.

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Published on: April 28, 2014

New Non-Surgical Treatment for Knee Arthritis Show Promising Signs

By Lisa Siegel

Knee osteoarthritis causes chronic pain, stiffness, and difficulty in walking, often making it challenging for individuals to perform routine activities. As a result, going back to work may not be an option for persons with this medical condition. Now, researchers have announced a new non-surgical technique to treat the pain and stiffness that accompanies knee osteoarthritis.

The technique has been developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. According to researchers, they have experimented with a two-solution treatment, which involves a series of injections that are administered to the knee region. This therapy is called prolotherapy, and the results of the study were recently published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Researchers reported substantial improvement in symptoms in a group of participants who were monitored over a one year period. During the testing time, participants received at least three of the two-solution injections. The researchers found that there was an improvement in symptoms varying from 19.5% to 42.9% compared to the person’s original status.

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Published on: April 7, 2014

Reconstructive Knee Surgery Linked to Higher Risk of Arthritis

By Lisa Siegel

Persons, who have undergone knee reconstruction surgery to repair knee ligaments are much more likely to develop arthritis in the affected knee. According to the results of a new study that was released by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, persons who have undergone knee reconstructive surgery are three times more likely to develop knee arthritis in the repaired knee, compared to the uninjured knee.

Knee arthritis is also referred to as osteoarthritis of the knee, a condition in which the cartilage on the bones begins to wear down. Earlier studies have also found that osteoarthritis is very often linked to knees that have undergone a reconstructive surgery, but the amount of risk was not determined.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates that approximately 200,000 anterior cruciate ligament injuries occur in the country every year. Very often, the surgeons treat injured knees by replacing the torn ligament with a replacement graft. Surgeons believe that between 10 and 15 years after the reconstruction is generally when patients begin to suffer symptoms of knee arthritis.

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Published on: February 17, 2014

Growing Incidence of Hip Pain Among Young Patients Raises Risk of Disability

By Lisa Siegel

Chronic hip pain that is so serious that a person is no longer able to stand or walk now affects many young persons. In fact, researchers recently found a growing incidence of hip pain, or hip impingement, among younger people.

The study was conducted by hip experts at The Ohio State University, and they found that they are seeing an increase in the number of young persons with hip impingement. The experts stated that the ages of these patients range all the way from those in their teens through 60s.

This condition is very frequently seen among young persons who are active and play sports. In many cases these injuries tend to be sports-related, and although the incidence of such hip impingement or chronic pain is also evident in non-athletes, the incidence seems to be higher among those persons who were active round and going through puberty.

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Published on: May 7, 2013

Researchers Identify Early Warning Signs of Arthritis

By Lisa Siegel

Persons who suffer from osteoarthritis can be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if they can show that their symptoms are severe enough. For example, you may be eligible if you are unable to walk, stand for long periods of time, and have severe back problems.

Osteoarthritis is a condition, in which there is stiffness and swelling in the joints, severe pain, and muscular weakness. The person may also suffer from reduced range of motion in the joints, restricting movement.

According to new research, cartilage damage can help identify the earliest stages of osteoarthritis. The study was conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, who developed a technique that identifies changes that occur in cartilage, after a person engages in high-risk activities like running and jumping.

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