Why do so many middle-aged women develop osteoarthritis? Scientists believe that declining estrogen levels may play a role.
Osteoarthritis is often called a wear-and-tear disease because it develops in joints after many years of use. Aging increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, but it's not the sole cause. Scientists aren't sure exactly what causes the condition, but several factors play a role in its development. These include genetic predisposition, obesity, prior joint injuries, wear and tear… More...
Now women facing knee replacement surgery can choose an implant designed to fit the narrower shape of their knees and offer greater flexibility and comfort.
According to Consumer Reports, more than 600,000 people in the United States have hip or knee replacement surgery each year, 70% of them because of osteoarthritis. A 2006 survey showed that even though recovery can be long and sometimes painful, 82% of people who had this kind of surgery were very… More...
It may seem counterintuitive, but a recent study confirms that people with osteoarthritis can improve mobility and enhance their quality of life with modest levels of exercise.
Although arthritis is a wear-and-tear condition, mild to moderate exercise will not damage your joints. In fact, carried out routinely and carefully, an exercise program can dramatically reduce the risk of osteoarthritis by strengthening the muscles that support weight-bearing joints. Of course, exercise will also help with weight… More...
Is there any credible evidence that cherry juice or a drink mixture of honey, vinegar, and water relieves symptoms of osteoarthritis? Johns Hopkins specialists answer readers' questions in this excerpt from a recent issue of the Arthritis Bulletin. Arthritis question 1
Q. My cousin, who has osteoarthritis in her hip, swears that drinking a daily mixture of equal parts honey, vinegar, and water has alleviated her arthritis pain. Though I have never been one for folk remedies,… More...
Chinese researchers believe that acupuncture can reduce joint tenderness in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Should you try it? Johns Hopkins offers bottom-line advice.
Rheumatoid arthritis, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, dramatically limits movement and function as well as causing damage to cartilage and bone. For the 60 million individuals around the world (1% of the population) with rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and damage to a variety of joints. … More...
If you have arthritis, you may be among those people (and there are many) who feel that their arthritis pain is influenced by the weather -- specifically, that they experience more arthritis pain on cold, rainy days and less arthritis pain on warm, dry days. But research studies on whether climate really does affect arthritis pain have produced conflicting results. … More...
In a recent issue of the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin, Dr. Kevin R. Fontaine, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, talked about non-pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia. Here’s an excerpt.
Although fibromyalgia syndrome is not curable and has no blood tests to detect it, there are a variety of non-pharmacological treatments that can help relieve symptoms. Following are several questions I am frequently asked about complementary fibromyalgia treatments, and my… More...
Recent research shows that adequate hydration is an important way to prevent dehydration and the onset of a gout attack.
Today, it’s estimated that 2 to 5 million Americans have gout, with most male victims suffering a first attack between 40 and 50 years of age. Women develop gout later, in the years following menopause. … More...
The inflammation that damages joints also takes a toll on the heart. Johns Hopkins doctors offer bottom line advice.
People with rheumatoid arthritis understandably focus on caring for their joints. But their most serious health risk involves their heart. Compared to the general population, rheumatoid arthritis patients have a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke and a shorter life expectancy. Here are some of the findings from recent studies: Heart attacks are twice as… More...
Many people with arthritis rely on complementary medicine, products, and techniques -- in combination with conventional treatments -- to reduce pain. Now a new study shows that listening to soothing music really helps.
If you suffer with osteoarthritis you probably know that there are many effective medications available to relieve your pain. Oral medications are used most often, but some people find that injections into the affected joint or topical products applied to the skin surrounding… More...
Improved alignment of the knee through osteotomy takes stress off damaged areas and can delay the need for joint replacement by about 10 years for people with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Osteoarthritis often damages the cartilage more on one side of the knee than on the other. When that happens, the leg bones become misaligned, which can put even more stress on the already damaged joint. … More...
Arthritis pain and disability have both a physical and a psychological component. People who cope best with their disease have found ways to address all of the factors that influence their pain. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs remain the mainstay of medical treatment for most moderate to severe arthritis. But adding yoga and meditation can bring a new dimension to pain relief and may even reduce the amount of medication you need. More...
The term "hip school” is popular in Great Britain and Europe. It refers to a formalized program of hip care that is usually conducted in groups. Some hip schools aim to help people to improve hip function so they can avoid hip replacement surgery. Other hip school programs prepare people for hip surgery or… More...
Bursitis is caused by inflammation of one or more of the body’s 150 small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae. Bursae cushion and lubricate areas where bones, muscles, and tendons move across one another. Like fibromyalgia, bursitis causes pain and stiffness in tissues around the joints, rather than in the joints themselves. People with arthritis are at risk of developing bursitis because of altered body alignment and movement. Improved body awareness and good mechanics will help prevent bursitis. More...
In a recent issue of the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin, Joan M. Bathon, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, talked about the promise of hip resurfacing for patients suffering with the pain and disability of arthritis. Because many of our Arthritis Health Alerts subscribers have asked us about this still-experimental procedure, we include an excerpt of Dr. Bathon’s article for your information. More...
If you’re overweight and have osteoarthritis, you may wonder: How much weight do I have to lose before I see any benefits? Here’s the answer and it’s encouraging.
At Johns Hopkins we recently completed a five-year study that demonstrates that even small amounts of weight loss can result in significant improvements in osteoarthritis symptoms and functioning. We placed about 40 overweight and obese adults (average age 58) with knee osteoarthritis on a four-month program of lifestyle… More...
Susan Bartlett, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, explains how arthritis, aging, and obesity are combining to create a “perfect” storm for American Health Care.
If you read Sebastian Junger’s Perfect Storm or saw the Hollywood adaptation, you will probably recall the scene in which a weatherman stares in horror at the radar charts on his computer screen. He watches as three massive weather systems converge toward a point at which… More...
What’s the most dangerous type of exercise for a person with arthritis? Answer: None at all. And the surprising fact is that more than a third of adults with arthritis don’t exercise. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to read this helpful advice from Dr. Susan Bartlett.
Susan Bartlett, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, lectures frequently about physical activity, weight issues, and arthritis. Dr. Bartlett provided an… More...
Osteoarthritis Update #1: Statin Use Linked to Increased Risk of Developing Hip Osteoarthritis
Many older people who take statin drugs (such as atorvastatin [Lipitor]) to lower their cholesterol levels have osteoarthritis or are at risk for developing it. A recent study in the Journal of Rheumatology shows that elderly women who take statins may have a small increase in their risk of developing hip osteoarthritis (OA), but statin use does not worsen progression of existing hip… More...
Ankylosing spondylitis can be hard to diagnose because early symptoms mimic other arthritic conditions.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic rheumatic disease characterized by inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. These joints are located in the lower back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone of your back) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Inflammation in these areas (spondylitis) causes pain and stiffness in and around the… More...
Several factors may increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, but for now the true cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains a mystery.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 2.1 million Americans. Unlike osteoarthritis, which occurs equally in both sexes, more than three times as many women as men have rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually begins late in life; rheumatoid arthritis often begins between ages 30 and 50, though it can develop at any age. … More...
Considering hip or knee replacement surgery? Here’s practical advice from Johns Hopkins doctors.
Because hip or knee replacement surgery is rarely an emergency, you have plenty of time to set your house in order before you go to the hospital. That includes arranging your home so that it will be rehab-friendly when you return home, taking care of important paperwork, and lining up neighbors and friends to help. … More...
Considering hip replacement surgery, but not sure when the time is right? Frank Frassica, M.D., chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins, offers advice.
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Experts agree: weight loss should be a first choice therapy for knee osteoarthritis.
If you suffer from chronic pain due to knee osteoarthritis, a study in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage offers hope. The study shows that for obese people who already have knee osteoarthritis, a rapid loss of 10% of their weight can quickly and dramatically improve their physical function. … More...
If you suffer from aches, stiffness, increased sensitivity to pain, or other arthritis-like symptoms, it could be fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatic condition that accounts for 15–20% of visits to rheumatologists. Fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis as it does not cause inflammation to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Instead, fibromyalgia causes pain and stiffness in tissues around the joints. … More...
Is minimally invasive hip replacement surgery all that it’s cracked up to be? Simon Mears, M.D., chief of total joint arthroplasty and trauma at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, explains the advantages.
Q. What are the benefits of minimally invasive hip replacement surgery?
A. Patients must understand that although the term “minimally invasive” sounds attractive, the surgery is still the same as the standard procedure, only it is performed through smaller incisions. In fact, recent research… More...
Studies show that most Americans with arthritis are not active enough. Here are some tips for exercise that’s easy on the joints and can be done regularly by those of us who suffer from arthritis.
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Studies have shown that overweight or obese women who lose just 11 pounds decrease their risk of osteoarthritis by about 50%. Over 20 million Americans have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. One of the most frequent causes of physical disability in adults, osteoarthritis involves the progressive breakdown of cartilage and other joint tissues. By age 40, about 90% of people have some degree of osteoarthritis in their weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and… More...
Prevent bursitis by avoiding activities that require repetitive motions. Stay in shape! Well-conditioned muscles are less susceptible to overuse injuries than tight or weak muscles. More...
2008 Arthritis White Paper Arthritis now affects over 70 million Americans. The Johns Hopkins 2008 Arthritis White Paper provides in-depth knowledge on the most recent breakthroughs concerning the most common forms of arthritis—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, it includes two other rheumatic diseases: fibromyalgia syndrome and bursitis, and also ankylosing spondylitis, gout, and lyme disease. PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Active Living with Arthritis through this exclusive web-only offer. Click here to read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION Click here to read more or order the PRINT EDITION
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The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin This quarterly journal is essential reading for anyone facing the challenge of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, knee replacement, hip replacement, gout, fibromyalgia, bursitis, or another rheumatic condition!In each issue you’ll read about new medications, emerging therapies, surgical options, arthritis pain relief, pain management strategies, research findings, and more. PLUS, subscribe now and you'll also get 4 FREE Johns Hopkins Arthritis Special Reports as instant downloads.Read more...
Johns Hopkins Recipes for Arthritis Health How food affects arthritis has been a source of controversy for years and has often resulted in questionable remedies and diets. What is not controversial, however, is that those with arthritis should control their weight and maximize nutritional health by... Read more...
The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50 A home medical encyclopedia designed with YOU in mind, to give you a "crash course" on over 100 major medical concerns for people after age 50, organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format. Read more...
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