Mixed Progress in Healthy People 2010 Arthritis Management Goals
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Article source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/738925
Hands Down: Outlasting Arthritis
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) —
You need one to open a jar, send a text and simply open a door. Your thumb is a complex maze of bones, muscles, tendons and nerves.
About two out of three postmenopausal women will suffer from arthritis in their thumbs, making everyday tasks painful. Now, a unique procedure allowed one woman to keep doing what she loves.
Nancy McRay was just three when she played her first note.
“My mother just put music in front of me and sat me in front of the piano,” McRay told Ivanhoe.
Since then, piano’s been her life.
“There was just a music reading gene that got passed to me,” McRay said.
But a few years ago, McRay’s passion turned to pain. Arthritis in her thumb made practice impossible.
McRay found a doctor well-versed in both pain and piano. Stanford University School of Medicine surgeon Amy Ladd, M.D., also plays.
“I understand the demands of an octave span and playing precision work,” Dr. Ladd told Ivanhoe.
The cartilage between McRay’s thumb joint and bone was thinning. Experts say women are 10-times more likely to get this type of arthritis than men.
“The majority of postmenopausal women who are Caucasian or Asian will likely get this arthritis,” Dr. Ladd said.
Surgery is an option when meds and therapy don’t work. Often, doctors cut, fuse or remove bones in the thumb. Dr. Ladd took a tendon from McRay’s forearm and put it between the trapezium bone and CMC joint in her thumb.
“Basically, creating some sort of natural pillow for that joint to rest upon,” Dr. Ladd said.
The relief put McRay right back behind the piano.
“It’s much, much, much better,” McRay said.
Experts don’t know why postmenopausal women are more at-risk for thumb arthritis. Men and younger women can also get it, but it’s much less common. Dr. Ladd says the next step is to develop implants that can be surgically placed in the thumb.
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marsha Hitchcock at mhitchcock@ivanhoe.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Hand and Upper Extremity Clinic
450 Broadway St. Pavilion A, 2nd Fl. Dept A26
Redwood City, CA 94063
650-723-5256
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Study: Pet Obesity on the Rise in the US
According to a recent study, 20 percent of cats and dogs in the US are obese. Data shows that since 2007 the number has even increased by 10 percent.
Therefore, the number of health problems like diabetes and arthritis is on the rise as well, which, in turn, has a negative effect on the lifespan of the animals.
Dr. Jesus Aramendi, a veterinarian in Fort Lauderdale, says many owners don´t even recognize that their pets are overweight. “Or they are just in denial,” he added.
Article source: http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=88264
Lake Regional Health System hosting informational forum on arthritis
Lake Regional Health System will host the informational forum, “Understanding Arthritis,” at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, in the hospital’s third floor conference rooms.
Lake Regional Orthopedic Surgeon William Harris, D.O., will discuss hip and knee osteoarthritis, as well as joint injection procedures. In addition, he will answer questions about hip and knee replacement.
“The pain of arthritis can make continuing a ‘normal’ lifestyle a challenge,” Dr. Harris said. “But, treatment options are available. You don’t have to suffer needlessly.”
The program is free, but registration is required. Visit lakeregional.com/events to register, or call 573-348-8222 for more information.
Article source: http://www.lakenewsonline.com/lifestyle/x698033769/Lake-Regional-Health-System-hosting-informational-forum-on-arthritis
The Common Causes Of Arthritis
Arthritis is a group of ailments which involves joint damage and pain. You will find numerous causes of arthritis.
Determining the causes of arthritis can be challenging because lots of factors more often than not lead to a person acquiring this prevalent problem.
Here are the most common causes of arthritis:
- Age
As an individual age the cartilage gets to be more fragile and its capability to mend itself decreases. Arthritis has a tendency to develop as individuals get older.
- Genetics
So far, the contribution of genetics to the reason for arthritis isn’t well understood. However there are actually possible genetic variations that may result in the cause of arthritis.
- Injury
Joint damage can cause irregularities in the normal smooth joint surface. Among the causes of arthritis is previous major injury. A tibial plateau fracture is a good example of an injury resulting in arthritis in which the broken area of bone enters the cartilage of the knee joint. Just in case the joint or its surrounding tissue was ruined due to an injury, this can accelerate the process of wear and tear on the joint.
- Weight
The wear and tear in the joint would depend on the load the joint has to support, excess weight can result in arthritis. In the case of overweight patients, hips and knees could be worn easily.
- Infection
People who experience a joint infection for example septic joint, multiple episodes of gout, and other health conditions will probably acquire arthritis of the joint. There are some kinds of arthritis that are brought on by infections in other areas of the body. The onset of arthritis may also be brought on by both viral and bacterial infections.
- Occupational Hazards
There are lots of specific jobs, many of which are mainly popular jobs that may result in the onset of arthritis. Assembly line workers are prone to developing tendonitis in addition to other forms of arthritis in the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders since the worker repeats exactly the same action again and again for longer time periods. Heavy construction workers are expected to perform constant heavy lifting which could give rise to arthritis in the ankles, knees, hips, spine, and neck.
- Sports
Just how much sports participation plays a role in the onset of arthritis is challenging to figure out. Undoubtedly, involvement in sports can bring about joint injury and subsequent arthritis. However, benefits of the activity perhaps outnumber whatever chance for arthritis.
- Food Allergies
There are specific foods that induce joint inflammation. People who notice that inflammation happens after taking these foods should prevent them whenever you can.
Arthritis can impact individuals in many ways. The intensity as well as for how long the patient is going to be affected rely on the type of arthritis he or she is struggling. Patients with arthritis will discover there are actually bad and good days. Soreness, pain, stiffness and exhaustion are gone through by most individuals with arthritis
Arthritis could be aggravating when you can no more grip things so well or get around as you used to. Always bear in mind that even when you are afflicted by arthritis this doesn’t imply you have to let go of your active lifestyle. Even though there may be some changes to your lifestyle yet there isn’t any reason why you can’t remain active.