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All Arthritis Special Reports

The Pros and Cons of Minimally Invasive Hip-Replacement Surgery

Is minimally invasive h'ip-replacement surgery right for you? Before you decide, consider the pros and cons. Asked whether they would rather have traditional hip-replacement surgery or a less invasive procedure, most people would choose the 'mini' hip-replacement procedure instinctively. Minimally invasive hip-replacement surgery can be a good choice. But it's not right for everyone, and not all orthopedic surgeons are experienced in the minimally invasive techniques. More...

Spinal Stenosis -- Osteoarthritis Is Often To Blame

Do you experience pain and numbness in the back or legs? It could be spinal stenosis. The spinal cord is the main conduit for nerve impulses traveling from the brain to the lower part of the body. It runs through the spinal canal -- the channel between the 24 bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal becomes narrower. This narrowing (stenosis) places pressure on the spinal… More...

Arthritis Glossary

Johns Hopkins Glossary of Arthritis-related terms, derived from their John Hopkins White Papers and Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin More...

TNF Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Dr. Joan M. Bathon, medical editor of The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Bulletin explains how TNF inhibitors such as Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade have improved life for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The arsenal of rheumatoid arthritis drugs was given a big boost in 1998 when the first Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) inhibitor received FDA approval. While extremely effective, both patients and doctors alike have many questions and concerns about which of the three current drugs to use,… More...

Botox and Knee Osteoarthritis

Do Botox injections offer a satisfactory non-surgical alternative for patients suffering with painful knee osteoarthritis? Trials are underway, so stay tuned … No longer the secret potion of women and men interested in hiding facial wrinkles between the eyebrows, around the eyes, on the forehead, and around the lips, injections of Botox are now thought to be useful for more than 50 medical conditions, including excessive sweating, constipation, headache, clubfoot, and even hiccups. We may be… More...

Ask Your Doctor About Gout: Diet and Gout

Gout is one of the most painful yet treatable forms of arthritis, but it’s often not treated properly. Today, it’s estimated that two to five million Americans have gout, with most male victims suffering a first gout attack between 40 and 50 years of age. Women develop gout later, in the years following menopause. With Americans living longer and growing stouter, both of which are linked to gout’s prevalence, it’s important that the disease be diagnosed promptly and accurately, and treated effectively, to prevent disability, joint damage, lost workdays, and diminished quality of life. More...

Arthritis On The Go

Traveling can be a great way to relax or spend time with family. But for people with arthritis, getting to and from their destination can be more stressful than their regular routine. If you have arthritis, sitting for long periods may make joints stiff, and dealing with luggage, transfers, and cramped seating can all contribute to pain and fatigue. Fortunately, whether you travel by plane, train, bus, car, or cruise ship, there are ways to minimize stress on joints. More...

Easing Foot, Ankle, and Knee Pain With Orthotics

The feet each have 33 joints and are highly susceptible to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other painful conditions. Foot discomfort and deformity caused by these conditions can even lead to pain in the shins, knees, and lower back. More...

When Is the Best Time for a Knee Replacement?

Replacing a knee joint with an artificial one—a procedure called knee arthroplasty—is a common treatment for severe arthritis: More than 350,000 knee replacement procedures are performed in the United States each year. Originally, the procedure was considered most appropriate for people age 60 to 75. Doctors thought that younger, more active patients would put too much stress on the joint and require a second artificial joint in 10 to 20 years; older patients were believed to be too frail to undergo the knee replacement procedure. More...

Pain Relief for Arthritis With Topical Analgesics

Topical analgesics are nonprescription products that you apply to the skin over an aching joint to provide pain relief. They can be useful for people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis pain who experience inadequate pain relief with Tylenol or wish to avoid the side effects of oral pain relievers. The three main types of topical analgesics for pain relief are counterirritants, salicylates, and capsaicin; combination products for pain relief are also available. These include More...

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. More...

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Please send me the Johns Hopkins Cookbook: Recipes for Arthritis

Please send me the Johns Hopkins Cookbook:
Recipes for Arthritis