Monday May 21, 2012
Some people experience popping, locking, or giving out of their knee. When it happens, it's sudden and can really catch you off guard. If it has happened to you, you know what I mean. Not only is it momentarily shocking, it can land you on the ground, especially a knee that gives out.
A knee that gives out is caused by knee instability. Often, the instability is related to ligament injury. Osteoarthritis of the knee is also associated with instability. Learn more about how osteoarthritis can cause your knee to give out in Knee Gives Out - Is It Osteoarthritis?
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Saturday May 19, 2012
Hip and knee replacement surgery is not uncommon for arthritis patients, especially those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Two studies presented at the 2012 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) revealed that smoking is harmful for knee and hip replacement patients. According to Time.com, the first study evaluated over 600 knee replacements performed between 2005 and 2009 in arthritis patients who were in their 60s. About 115 of the study participants were smokers. Researchers found that the rate of revision surgeries was 10 times greater for smokers compared to non-smokers. Surgical complications were almost twice as common for smokers compared to non-smokers. There was no apparent difference between current smokers and past heavy smokers, suggesting smoke does irreparable damage.
The second study assessed 535 hip replacements in 500 patients between 1999 and 2009. Researchers found a 6.2% failure rate at about 18 months. After smoking habits were factored in, researchers found smokers had an 11% failure rate compared to 5.3% in previous smokers, and 3.8% in non-smokers. Researchers concluded that quitting smoking helps to decrease the risk of joint replacement failure.
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Photo by Gabriella Fabbri (stock.xchng)
Monday May 14, 2012
Participation in high-impact sports or activities significantly increases wear and decreases the survivorship of hip replacements, according to researchers. Football, skiing, tennis, jogging, soccer, and martial arts are examples of high-impact activities. It is not uncommon for orthopedic surgeons to warn patients about high-impact activity but there have not been many studies that actually evaluated the effect on artificial joints.
According to the study results published in the journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, a team of French researchers compared the function, wear rates, and survivorship of hip implants in 70 patients who participated in high-impact sports and 140 patients who participated in low-impact activities. They assessed the need for revision related to mechanical failure and loosening of the hip prostheses. The assessments were made at least 11 years after the hips were surgically implanted. Patients also completed questionnaires about their sports participation and quality of life. Those participating in high-impact sports reportedly had better function and quality of life than patients participating in low-impact activities. However, at 15-years followup, survivorship of hip implants was 80% for high-impact participants compared to about 94% for the low-impact participants. Patients and doctors need to be aware of the risk of high-impact activity on implant survivorship.
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Wednesday May 9, 2012
According to study results presented at the World Congress on Osteoarthritis, overweight women who followed a 2.5 year diet and exercise program had a significant reduction in the incidence of knee osteoarthritis. The PROOF (Prevention of Knee Osteoarthritis in Overweight Females) study, which was conducted in the Netherlands, set out to assess whether a weight loss program plus oral glucosamine sulfate could prevent knee osteoarthritis. The trial involved 200 women who participated in the weight loss program and 200 women who served as controls and did not participate in the weight loss program. In both groups, half received glucosamine (1,500 mg/day) as well. The women who were selected for the study were 50 to 60 years old, had a body mass index of at least 27, but had no x-ray evidence or clinical signs of osteoarthritis at the study onset.
According to MD Consult, the weight loss program included a weekly group session involving various low-impact sports. The women also had sessions with a dietician. The program was designed to be a regimen that women would stick with. After 2.5 years, researchers determined that among those who complied with the program, there was 25% incidence of knee osteoarthritis among the control group and 10% in the weight loss program group. Researchers did admit that compliance was an issue. Only 25% of women remained compliant with the program. Diet and exercise are lifestyle modifications that require strict commitment. Difficult to do, even with the goal of osteoarthritis prevention.
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