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All Arthritis Alerts
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Arthritis: Dietary Dos and Don’ts
Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that waxes and wanes. It's marked by periods of increased disease activity known as flare-ups or flares, characterized by worsening pain, stiffness, and inflammation. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may wonder: Are there any foods that I should eat -- or avoid -- to improve my arthritis symptoms and reduce flare-ups? Here’s what the research shows. More...
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Arthritis Household Helpers
Arthritis can make day-to-day activities challenging, but a number of assistive devices are available that can make those tasks easier and help preserve your joints and your energy. Here’s a brief list of valuable aids you might want to consider. More...
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Lupus and Heart Disease
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own organs and tissues. The sites most often affected are the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Now research reported in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism (Volume 58, page 1458) looks at lupus and heart disease – a complication often overlooked by both doctors and patients. More...
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Going Vegan With RA
People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often turn to therapies that are outside the medical mainstream, especially when conventional medications are not working or are causing troubling side effects. Now a study reported in Arthritis & Rheumatism (Volume 59, page 186) suggests that following a gluten-free vegan diet may protect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from heart disease and stroke. Here’s what the research suggests. More...
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How Old is Too Old for Knee Replacement Surgery?
You've tried analgesic creams, pain medications, exercise, physical therapy, and assistive devices to soothe the pain of your osteoarthritis. Maybe you've even lost 20 lbs. But your joints are still so stiff and painful that you can't drive your car or participate in hobbies you enjoy. You're considering surgery, but wonder if you're too old. In this Health Alert, a reader asks: I'm 74 years old and have severe osteoarthritis. I am considering knee replacement… More...
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The Promise of Tanezumab
When it comes to the pain caused by knee osteoarthritis, there is a great need for an effective drug that doesn't cause dependency, because many patients either cannot tolerate, or don't obtain sufficient pain relief from traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Finally, there may be a solution: Tanezumab. More...
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Can Vitamin D Prevent Arthritis?
Many researchers now believe that the 'sunshine vitamin' may one day play a key role in preventing the development and progression of arthritis. Researchers, including scientists at Johns Hopkins under the direction of Uzma Haque, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins, have been looking at the effect of vitamin D on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and the data are quite suggestive. Vitamin D is proving to be a most promising area for arthritis research. More...
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That Other Itis … Bursitis
Do you suffer with dull, persistent joint pain that gets worse when you move? It may be due to bursitis -- a condition that produces some of the same symptoms as arthritis, but affects the tissues surrounding the joint rather than the joint itself. More...
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Arthritis in the Shoulder
The shoulder is involved in almost every movement of the upper body, so it should come as no surprise that it can also hurt. About 5% of all visits to primary care physicians are for shoulder troubles, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates that four million Americans seek medical care each year for shoulder sprains, strains, dislocations, or other problems. Arthritis in the shoulder can cause severe pain and limited range of motion. Here are some common questions about shoulder arthritis. More...
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How To Find a Qualified Fitness Trainer
Has your rheumatologist recommended exercise to improve your osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, but you're not quite sure what to do or how to do it? Working with a good fitness trainer can ensure that your exercise regimen meets your needs and that you learn to do the exercises properly, minimizing the risk of overuse or injury. But beware -- the qualifications of fitness trainers vary widely: Some are nearly as qualified as physical therapists, while others have merely passed a week-long course. More...
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How Long Will My New Hip Last?
If you have arthritis and are facing hip or knee replacement surgery, you may be wondering how long the implant will last and if you'll need to replace the joint again some day. In this Health Alert, Johns Hopkins specialists answer this important question.
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Botox and Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Osteoarthritis
In this excerpt from a recent issue of the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin, Dr. Joan Balthon and colleagues answer readers questions about botox and hyaluronic injections for arthritis pain relief.
Q. I have had arthritis in my shoulders for six years, but I get by with daily flexibility exercises that I perform and a Celebrex [celecoxib] pill. I recently read that doctors are now experimenting with Botox [Botulinum toxin type A] as a treatment for arthritis… More...
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Talking About Rotator Cuff Injury
Because of the shoulder's anatomy, it is easily subject to injury in people of any age, especially if they are engaged in activities involving overhead movement. However, aging can increase the chance of injury. Studies report that deterioration of the rotator cuff occurs in a large percentage of individuals, and the percentage goes up with each successive decade of life. More...
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Researchers Identify Genes Associated with Increased Gout Risk
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Press Release: More than three million adults in the United States have gout. Gout is a painful inflammation of the joints, which can occur with a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Genetic disposition, obesity, a diet high in meat and cheese, alcohol consumption, and certain medications can increase the risk for developing gout. … More...
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New Drugs Offer Hope to Gout Sufferers
Gout is one of the most painful yet treatable forms of arthritis. Today, it's estimated that two to five million Americans have gout, with most men suffering a first attack between 40 and 50 years of age. Women develop it later, in the years following menopause.
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Got Arthritis? Try Yoga
In this Health Alert, Susan J. Bartlett, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and Steffany Haaz, a doctoral candidate, talk about the benefits of yoga for people with arthritis.
Q. How does yoga specifically benefit people with arthritis?
A. Dr. Bartlett: Regular physical activity is essential for people with arthritis. Joints become painful, and the natural reaction is to avoid moving a painful joint. However, the overall result to the body is… More...
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The Challenge of Driving With Arthritis
The pain and stiffness of arthritis can make it a challenge to drive a car. Knowing what types of features to look for when purchasing a new car is important. In addition, adaptive devices and car modifications after the car purchase can make driving with arthritis safer and more enjoyable. Here's some practical advice from Johns Hopkins. … More...
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The Estrogen-Osteoarthritis Connection
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...
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The Cartilage Connection
In this excerpt from a recent issue of the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin, Associate Professor Lynne C. Jones, Ph.D. talks about the importance of cartilage in the development of osteoarthritis.
In my experience here at Johns Hopkins, most patients have little awareness of cartilage until something goes wrong with it. And even then, they often have a limited understanding of what cartilage is and does, what can be done to protect joints from further damage, and… More...
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The Good News About Exercise
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...
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Honey, Vinegar, Water, and Cherry Juice for Osteoarthritis
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...
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Does Weather Affect Arthritis Pain?
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...
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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Your Heart
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...
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Music Can Ease Your Pain
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...
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Delay Knee Replacement with Osteotomy
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...
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Meditation Benefits Body and Mind
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...
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Going to Hip School
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...
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6 Tips to Prevent Bursitis
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...
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The Good News on Osteoarthritis and Weight Loss
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...
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Arthritis and Exercise
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.
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Evidence Mounts Against Glucosamine Use for Osteoarthritis Pain
Do glucosamine chondroitin supplements actually work for osteoarthritis pain, or are their “effects” really just wishful thinking by people desperate to find some relief?
Over 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis -- which means that 20 million Americans are looking for relief from osteoarthritis pain. That’s no small task, especially after the recall of the two COX-2 inhibitors, Vioxx and Bextra. … More...
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New Research on Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
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...
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The Benefits of Weight Loss for Osteoarthritis
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...
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Arthritis Q and A on Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery
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...
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The Best Way To Prevent Osteoarthritis
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...
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