Arthritis & Joint Replacement Clinic
C-21, 4th Floor, Yugadharm Complex,
Opposite ICICI Bank, Near Hotel Centre Point,
Ramdaspeth, Nagpur 10, MS, INDIA
Osteoarthritis, commonly referred to as OA, can be found in nearly everybody over the age of 60. One of the single most common orthopedic conditions, OA can cause a variety of health problems and pain.
If you are an older adult, there is a strong chance that a good number of your joints have at least a touch of arthritis - but donot worry - that doesnot necessarily mean you are going to have symptoms.
In fact, most arthritic joints are only intermittently painful and are rarely the source of severe disability, so do not fret if you have been recently diagnosed with OA.
As with most illnesses, it helps ease the mind to know a little bit about the problem at hand. Read on to see some of the typical signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.
OA is rarely responsible for intense, sharp pain. Sharp pains may indicate acute damage to cartilage or other sensitive structures such as a meniscus or tendon. OA is classically perceived as an ache of varying intensity, but almost never as a sudden, disabling pain.
The joints most commonly affected are the feet, knees, hips and low back. Any joint surface subjected to regular weight bearing activities is at risk for developing OA. The hands and other areas of the spine follow shortly after that.
By JANE E. BRODY
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. But with a few simple adjustments, life can be easier and less painful for the millions of people who now permit this common condition to limit what they are able to do and enjoy.
The changes can be as simple as playing with grandchildren on the couch or at a table, instead of on the floor, said one knowledgeable grandfather, Dr. Kenneth Brandt, who is also an orthopedic surgeon and clinical professor of medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.
If you live long enough - that is, beyond 50 or 60 - chances are one or more of your joints, probably your knees or hips, will become arthritic. And if pain or stiffness begin to seriously limit your ability to enjoy life and perform routine tasks, chances are you will consider replacing the troublesome joint.
Osteoarthritis results from wear and tear on the joints. (Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder.) Some 27 million Americans have life-limiting osteoarthritis, and the numbers are rising as the population gets older and fatter.
ANI | Jun 20, 2012, 12.53PM IST
A simple diet, which is very low on calorie and high in protein combined with regular exercise, could end the misery of arthritis for millions of sufferers, according to new research.
A relatively small weight loss can have a dramatic effect by reducing swelling, relieving pain and even helping prevent further deterioration of the joints.
Researchers in Denmark found that patients on the strict diet for 16 weeks lost radical amounts of weight and reported a huge improvement in their pain levels, the Daily Express reported.
The drastic diet is based on an intake of as little as 440 calories a day, as compared to the recommended 2,500 for a man and 2,000 for a woman.
Despite the method being controversial, the results of the study were described as a "revelation" by the team leader.
Volunteers ate special shakes, soups, bars and porridge and took mineral and vitamin supplements to ensure that they received key nutrients.
The Pueblo Chieftain Tuesday, June 19, 2012 5:00 am By MARY PORTER | maryp@chieftain.com |
The wear-and-tear disease is claiming more Americans every year.
Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States, affecting 50 million people and costing the economy $128 billion annually.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common, with an estimated 27 million Americans affected. A chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, osteoarthritis can result in stiffness, pain and loss of movement.
Adding movement back into the equation is one of the best ways to cope with osteoarthritis.
"Movement is the best medicine," said Wade Balmer of the Arthritis Foundation's regional office in Denver. "It keeps joints flexible, keeps muscles stronger so there's less pressure on the joints. An aquatics program in a warm-water pool loosens muscles, reduces pain and, because a person is more buoyant in water, there's less pressure on the joints. It can have tremendous results."