Treating And Living With Arthritis
Once a patient is diagnosed with arthritis, treatment options include modifying activities, using gait aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and joint injections. In most cases these treatments can significantly help with our patients arthritis pain and symptoms for many years.
With the introduction of biologic medications such as Humira, Remicade, and Enbrel, patients with inflammatory arthritis have seen dramatic improvements. In fact, in our hip and knee joint reconstruction practice, we now rarely see inflammatory arthritis patients progressing to the need for joint replacement without also having osteoarthritis. A patient can have both inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis, but its the osteoarthritis that in most cases nowadays results in the need for joint replacement.
When disability, loss of motion and pain reach a point so severe that it affects a patients quality of life, joint replacement surgery has proven to be very effective in relieving pain and restoring function to our patients. When that time comes, I am grateful that here in Rhode Island we have a talented and dedicated team of professionals in our Total Joint Center, providing an outstanding level of surgical care to our patients. Based on the verified outcomes databases in which we participate, the outcomes of our joint replacement patients are equal to or better than benchmarks set at orthopedic centers and large specialty hospitals across the country.
Can Bone Loss Be Reversed
A study by Bassey and Ramsdale found that in women who were more than six years post-menopausal that ground reaction forces from weight bearing exercises had a maintenance effect.
The group did not reverse bone loss but they were able to maintain bone density through appropriate weight bearing exercises. Given that the group was destined to lose bone, this should be considered a success. In this case, maintaining is gaining.
If you want to learn more about a targeted weight bearing exercise, I encourage you to read my heel drop exercise post.
Can Alcoholism Cause Dementia
Alcohol-related brain injury is called alcohol-related dementia. Alcohol-related dementia is a condition that causes a person to have difficulty with daily tasks.Drinking too much alcohol over time can lead to brain cell death and shrinkage. Drinking too much alcohol can cause brain cell damage and reversing alcoholic dementia becomes more difficult.
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Do: Incorporate Strength And Flexibility Training To Strengthen Your Leg Muscles
A fitness plan for osteoarthritis should include strength and flexibility training along with aerobic exercise, says James Wyss, MD, a sports physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and an assistant professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Strengthening exercises help support the muscles around the joint, while stretching can maintain and sometimes improve flexibility around the knee,” Dr. Wyss says.
Exercise Recommendations For Osteoporosis
Exercise is an essential ingredient to bone health. If you have osteoporosis, therapeutic exercise needs to be part of your osteoporosis treatment program.
But what exercises should you do and which ones should you avoid? What exercises build bone and which ones reduce your chance of a fracture? Is Yoga good for your bones? Who should you trust when it comes to exercises for osteoporosis?
A great resource on exercise and osteoporosis is my free, seven day email course called Exercise Recommendations for Osteoporosis. After you provide your email address, you will receive seven consecutive online educational videos on bone health one lesson each day. You can look at the videos at anytime and as often as you like.
I cover important topics related to osteoporosis exercise including:
- Can exercise reverse osteoporosis?
- Stop the stoop how to avoid kyphosis and rounded shoulders.
- Key components of an osteoporosis exercise program.
- Key principles of bone building.
- Exercises you should avoid if you have osteoporosis.
- Yoga and osteoporosis should you practice yoga if you have osteoporosis?
- Core strength and osteoporosis why is core strength important if you have osteoporosis?
Enter your email address and I will start you on this free course. I do not SPAM or share your email address with third parties. You can unsubscribe from my mail list at any time.
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What Are The Stages Of Oa And Treatment Options
STAGE 0 Joint is healthy and there are no signs of OA.
STAGE 1 Some development of bony growths within the joint. At this stage, there is only minor wear on joint components and you rarely experience pain or discomfort.
- Treatment: If there are minor symptoms, or you have other factors putting you at an increased risk of OA, oral supplements and an exercise regime may be recommended to slow the progression of the disease. Weight loss, bracing to ensure joint stability, and oral pain relief medication may be prescribed at any stage. A Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection, which uses plasma from your own blood to stimulate your body to heal itself, may also be recommended to help repair damage during this early stage.
STAGE 2 This is considered mild OA. X-rays will show larger bone spurs, but cartilage is still thick enough to prevent the bones from rubbing against one another. Synovial fluid, which helps lubricate and cushion joints, is typically still present at sufficient levels for normal joint motion. Its often at this stage where you may first begin experiencing symptoms. They could include pain after a long day of walking or running, greater stiffness in the joint when its not used for several hours, or tenderness when kneeling or bending.
For more information on Image-Guided Pain Therapy injections, please speak to your health care practitioner.
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Reversing Osteoporosis Without Drugs
Most people want to know can osteoporosis be reversed without the use of drugs. I encourage people to pursue that goal when it is realistic. If you are advanced in age and your FRAX score indicates a high fracture risk , exercise and good nutrition alone might not be adequate. In addition, for many, the amount of impact weight bearing that we do on a daily basis decreases significantly as we age.
An exercise and diet program can take months to affect bone density and the rate of change is slow. In the meantime, pharmaceutical intervention may be a reasonable option to consider. Having said that, pharmaceutical intervention may increase your bone density but do not improve the quality of your bone.
Another important fact is that pharmaceuticals do not reduce your risk of falling or your quality of life. Unlike exercise and improved nutrition, the side effects of pharmaceuticals are mostly negative.
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Stop Thinking You Can’t Exercise
Many people who have arthritis are afraid if they’re active they’ll have more pain and so they just don’t get any exercise. This may be one of the biggest misconceptions about arthritis.
At the same time, it’s an ironic idea because inactivity actually makes pain and disability from arthritis worse over time, while regular exercise keeps joints moving and prevents stiffness, strengthens the muscles around the joints, and improves mobility.
So if you’ve been sedentary out of fear you’ll make your arthritis worse, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure it’s OK to exercise. Then start slowly with gentle, joint-friendly movements. It’s fine to respect your arthritis pain, but you don’t have to let it stop you.
What Happens Inside The Cartilage After Knee Injuries That Lead To Degeneration
Over the past decade, researchers have identified special cartilage cells that ensure a smooth gliding surface for the joints. Although all the cartilage in your body develops before youre born, your cartilage is continuously being replenished and renewed. When you sustain knee injuries that tear your joint cartilage, cells at the injury site change and become bigger and their DNA profile changes, too. Instead of continuously renewing and replenishing the cartilage, these unruly cells start eating up the cartilage around them.
Since this process is a major contributor to disease, its a very attractive target for drug development, says Dr. Kamal, whose background in pharmacology drives her research into new OA therapies. While no drugs are currently available that can slow down or stop cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis, our preliminary data suggest that we have discovered drugs that actually can do so. We are investigating a drug that not only stops the overgrowth of abnormal cells, but also restores their normal shape and function.
With funding from the Arthritis National Research Foundation , Dr. Kamal is studying the role of proteins that activate key inflammatory signaling pathways in the body. Her research involves a particular type of cell surface receptorsG-protein-coupled receptors that act like an inbox for messages that spark continuous and progressive cartilage degradation.
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In Episode 47 Of His Keep It Real Video Series Dr Larson Discusses Osteoarthritis And How To Reverse It
Many patients are seen in Dr. Larsons practice due to musculo-skeletal issues, which are painful problems concerning the bones, muscles, and joints. There are two different types of arthritis:
Over the past couple of decades, there has been a swift increase in the incidence of osteoarthritis. There was a study released in the PNAS, or Proceedings for the National Academy of Sciences, which studied three different subject groups. They studied the knee bones and cartilage of prehistoric hunters and gatherers, bones from the pre-industrial area, which are those of the late 1800s to 1940, and the post-industrial era, which was 1970 to 2015. What they found was that the incidence of osteoarthritis from the pre to post-industrial age doubled!
Osteoarthritis Treatment May Halt And Reverse Knee Injuries
13 Jun 2018
Knee injuries are painful, debilitating and extremely common. A sudden twist of the knee can tear the cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the joint. Knee injuries often predict the development of osteoarthritis . Even when an injury is surgically repaired, damage to cartilage triggers a cascade of degenerative cellular changes.
Cartilage protects the knee by acting as a shock absorber and lubricant for the bones of the joint. When the disease progresses to the point where bones begin rubbing against each other, the disabling pain and swelling that results can only be relieved by knee replacement surgery. As cartilage erodes, joints become warm, painful and swollen.
Physical insult or aging begins the process of osteoarthritis, says Fadia Kamal, PhD, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Penn State College of Medicine. Once the process of degradation begins at one site of the articular cartilage, it doesnt stop there, says Dr. Kamal. The destructive process spreads to the whole cartilage surface of the knee.
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Stem Cells And Dementia
Stem cells are building block cells. They can develop into many different cell types, including brain or nerve cells.
Scientists have taken skin cells from people with certain types of dementia, such as Alzheimers disease, and reprogrammed them into stem cells in the lab. Theyve then triggered these stem cells to become brain cells.
These brain cells can also be used to test potential treatments at a very early stage.
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Pillar #: Stress Management
Chronic or persistent stress can take a heavy toll on the brain, leading to shrinkage in a key memory area, hampering nerve cell growth, and increasing the risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia. Yet simple stress management tools can minimize its harmful effects and protect your brain.
Breathe! Quiet your stress response with deep, abdominal breathing. Restorative breathing is powerful, simple, and free!
Schedule daily relaxation activities. Keeping stress under control requires regular effort. Learning relaxation techniques such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga can help you unwind and reverse the damaging effects of stress.
Nourish inner peace. Regular meditation, prayer, reflection, and religious practice may immunize you against the damaging effects of stress.
Make fun a priority. All work and no play is not good for your stress levels or your brain. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.
Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress.
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Certain Types Of Fish
Eating fish can enhance memory and boost brain health, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Omega 3 fatty acid, in particular present in fish, helps to maintain a fully functional brain.
Salmon, herring, sardines, and anchovies are heavy in omega 3s.
They also contain selenium, potassium, B vitamins, and magnesium, which also help in the war against dementia.
Fish like salmon and tuna are also known to a healthy heart, which is also essential for preventing dementia and cognitive decline. It is okay to eat fish at least once or twice a week.
Can Arthritis Be Cured
Unfortunately, no. Arthritis cannot be cured. Arthritis is an irreversible condition that becomes worse with time if nothing is done to treat it. There are many treatment options that can reduce the progress of the disease and manage pain.
At Hempvana, pain management is our number one priority. With pain creams, joint health supplements, and many other tools, we hope to help you reduce your daily pain.
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What Caused This Increase In Osteoarthritis
One hypothesis they examined was that people are living longer, which would naturally predispose the older generation to arthritis, but a second hypothesis was that obesity was a major factor, as people have become more obese, it has put more wear and tear on muscles and led to an increase in osteoarthritis.
But, what they found is, as they teased out the factors of age and obesity, it didnt completely explain the rapid rise in osteoarthritis findings. They then hypothesized that two additional factors might be to blame inactivity and chronic inflammation. The traumatic decrease in societys activity level has led to a supply and demand deficient for cartilage and muscles. If there isnt enough demand put upon cartilage and muscles, then they atrophy or waste away.
Osteoarthritis is arthritis or pain within a joint.
If you dont put enough demand on cartilage, it gets weaker and thinner, and that can damage its structural integrity. Inactivity has also led to muscle atrophy and a decrease in muscle strength. The more demand you put on muscles and cartilage around the joints, the more strength they have to support joints and decrease osteoarthritis.
When To Talk With Your Doctor
If youve been using a particular management strategy for your arthritis, but you feel like its not working as effectively as it once did, contact your doctor. Its possible that you will have more success with a different type of treatment.
If your symptoms are worsening or new symptoms develop, thats another opportunity to discuss other treatment options with your provider.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Spine
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system turns on itself. It attacks the synovium â the lining of the joints. Although rheumatoid arthritis is more common in other joints, it can also affect the spine, specifically the cervical region . Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine is not caused by wear and tear, so itâs considered an inflammatory arthritis. It may cause back pain even when these joints are not in use. It tends to affect women more than men.
Who Gets Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. While it can occur even in young people, the chance of developing osteoarthritis rises after age 45. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 27 million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis, with the knee being one of the most commonly affected areas. Women are more likely to have osteoarthritis than men.
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Dont: Engage In Repetitive High
Joint-pounding exercises such as running and tennis can tax your already damaged knees, Dr. Pisetsky says. Its a vicious cycle because this type of exercise causes more pain. You stop using your muscle because it hurts, you lose strength, and then your alignment isnt good either, he says. This can also result in needing joint replacement surgery. Listen to your body, he says. If it is painful, dont do it.
How Does Osteoarthritis Affect Young People Differently
Although osteoarthritis is more common in older people, many young people in their teens, 20s and 30s can still suffer with the condition. The symptoms are generally the same, no matter how old you are, but it can affect young people differently.
Early onset osteoarthritis can affect a young persons ability to carry out their job or perform their favourite exercise. Older people will still be affected in the same way, but perhaps they might be retired and less keen on intense exercise or professional level sports.
In especially young people, such teenagers, osteoarthritis can affect mental wellbeing too. This is a time when theres a pressure to fit in and be like everybody else. If osteoarthritis means teens cant do the same sports or have the same social life as others, then they may feel left out and socially isolated.
Osteoarthritis in young people can also have an impact on education. If time is needed off school to attend appointments, have surgeries or to deal with pain, then they could be at a disadvantage when it comes to exam passes and grades. Simply walking to school or sitting for long periods of time can also be challenging.
Young people in their 20s and 30s can be left behind in the race for university places, jobs and careers if their school grades have been affected or theyre suffering flare ups preventing them from achieving what they want to achieve.
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