Saturday January 28, 2012
We've all heard it, read about it, or seen it on TV. Exercise and regular physical activity are beneficial for osteoarthritis. Exercise helps improve muscle strength, balance, and coordination. It helps us maintain our ideal weight. It helps to maintain joint mobility, joint function, and actually decreases joint pain. But somehow, we think they are talking to everyone else besides ourselves.
When asked what keeps them from exercising, many osteoarthritis patients say exercise increases rather than decreases joint pain. They aren't really sure if certain forms of exercise would hurt rather than help. Many people don't think they are capable of doing enough to even matter. And, then there's the fact that most doctors don't take time to emphasize the importance of exercise, so how important can it be? While many patients excuse themselves for one reason or another, many just don't know where to start. We've got some suggestions for How You Can Start to Exercise with Osteoarthritis.
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Sunday January 22, 2012
Blood clots (venous thromboembolism) are among the known complications associated with total or partial knee replacement and total or partial hip replacement surgery. As you likely know, especially if you've had one of the procedures, in-patients are treated prophylactically while hospitalized to prevent blood clots. Since patients are treated with the intent of lowering the risk of blood clots post-op, how significant is the risk?
According to a report in the January 18, 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers have estimated the risk based on a meta-analysis of 47 studies that documented blood clots in nearly 45,000 patients who received recommended prophylactic treatment while in the hospital. Researchers concluded that 1 in 100 patients who have knee replacement surgery and 1 in 200 who have hip replacement will develop blood clots (symptomatic venous thromboembolism) prior to discharge.
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Thursday January 19, 2012
More than 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis, with knee osteoarthritis accounting for about 10 million. The disease is among the leading causes of disability. In advanced stages of osteoarthritis, when conservative treatments no longer yield a satisfactory response, joint replacement may be necessary to relieve pain and stiffness and improve quality of life. Knee replacement is the most common type of joint replacement surgery. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), there were more than 600,000 knee replacement procedures performed in the U.S. in 2009.
Researchers in Finland analyzed the incidence of knee replacement surgery (partial and total) in their country between 1980 and 2006. According to the study results published online January 17, 2012 in Arthritis & Rheumatism, there was a 130-fold increase in the incidence of knee replacement surgery during that time for people between the age of 30 and 59 years old. The most rapid increase in incidence of knee replacement surgery occurred from 2001 to 2006. The greatest increase in incidence occurred in people 50-59 years old. Researchers also found that in the last 10 years of the study, incidence of knee replacement was higher among women than men.
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Tuesday January 17, 2012
According to study results published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, cells from osteoarthritic knees have abnormally shortened telomeres and the percentage of cells with ultra short telomeres increases closer to the damaged area of the joint. Telomeres are repetitive sequences of DNA found at the ends of a chromosome. It is known that as we age, telomeres become shorter. Telomeres also shorten when there is cell damage, such as oxidative damage.
Researchers have concluded that there are two processes occurring with regard to telomere shortening in osteoarthritis. First, there is age-related telomere shortening which leads to cells being unable to continue dividing. Secondly, there are ultra short telomeres, likely due to compression stress when the joint is used and ultimately leading to the joint's failure to repair itself.
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