Curcumin for Arthritis: Does it Really Work?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is the most common type of arthritis. Usually, it occurs among people of advanced age. But it can begin in middle age or even sooner, especially if there’s been an injury to the joint. While there are treatments available — exercise, braces or canes, loss of excess weight, […]
Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis
Q: I saw an advertisement on TV for Coolief to treat arthritis. It looked encouraging. What is it and does it work? A: Coolief is a procedure used to reduce pain for people with knee osteoarthritis. A doctor inserts electrodes through the skin, placing them near nerves in several locations around the knee. Electric current […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Can Tai Chi Ease Knee Pain?
Question: I have pain in both knees due to osteoarthritis. It’s not too bad, but I want to avoid surgery in the future. What are your thoughts about tai chi? Answer by Howard LeWine, MD Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage — the tissue that covers bones and acts as a cushion — deteriorates over time, eventually […]
Three questions your doctor will ask about your aching joints
Over the years, a lot of people have come to see me about an aching knee, back, shoulder or other joint. The first thing I do with every patient is try to determine whether their arthritis is degenerative (less serious) or inflammatory (more serious). I start by asking three questions. 1. Does your pain get […]
The mysterious rise in knee osteoarthritis
While there are more than 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is by far the most common. Osteoarthritis is the form of joint disease that’s often called “wear-and-tear” or “age-related,” although it’s more complicated than that. While it tends to affect older adults, it is not a matter of “wearing out” your joints the way tires […]
Choosing an OTC pain reliever for osteoarthritis
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have osteoarthritis in both knees. What’s the best over-the-counter pain reliever? A: Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life around the globe. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. But it strikes the knees, hips, spine and hands most often. The chance […]
Shed Extra Pounds for Healthier Joints
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I am starting to have knee pain when I climb stairs. I read that being overweight increases the risk of developing arthritis. What’s the reason? A: Carrying excess body weight definitely affects your chance of getting osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the deterioration […]
Osteoarthrosis can’t be reversed, but symptoms can be effectively managed
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My mother, 70, has osteoarthritis and was prescribed medication to help with the pain. What else can she do to keep it from worsening? Is physical therapy an option? ANSWER: Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that slowly gets worse over time. Although the process of osteoarthritis can’t be reversed, […]
Knee damage appearing on MRI predicts arthritis ahead
Source: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine whatdoctorsknow.com People who are at higher risk to develop knee osteoarthritis (OA) from being overweight or having injured their knee in the past may have normal X-rays, but worsening lesions or damage appearing on their MRIs predicts a significantly higher risk of soon developing knee osteoarthritis or painful […]
Rebuilding Man
Ankle replacements give patients more viability By Brett Dworski It’s been over 40 years since Dan Chesman, a former ROTC Naval Officer at Miami University in Ohio, shattered his ankle in a toboggan accident. At the time of the accident, back in 1972, the latest surgical treatment was to fuse the ankle bones together, which would have […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Pain relief from corticosteroid injections can vary greatly
By Paul Huddleston, M.D., Tribune Content Agency DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have osteoarthritis in my spine. About a month ago, I got a steroid shot in my lower back because my doctor said it might help with stiffness and pain in my back and legs. It worked wonderfully, and my symptoms are gone now. How […]
