June 2013
Ask The Doctors: June 2013
Subscribers Only Q. My doctor has explained that a total knee replacement is the best treatment option for my osteoarthritis. As a petite woman, I’ve read that it’s important that my surgeon uses a “gender-specific” implant for a successful outcome. Is this true? A. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most successful surgical procedures, with more than 600,000 knee replacements performed each year in the United States. As the procedure evolves, there has been a lot…
Advances in Bearing Surfaces Prolong Life of Hip Implants
Subscribers Only Robert Molloy, MD, predicts that 90 percent of today’s total hip replacements will last at least 15 years, or longer. And, his colleagues in Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery agree that future technology will only strengthen the success rate.
Moving Your Shoulder Past the Pain to Increase Mobility
Subscribers Only It’s true that any type of shoulder arthritis can cause severe pain and make the easiest task seem impossible. Yet, the best way to overcome these restricting aches is by actually getting the shoulder moving again.
Are Late-Onset RA Patients Treated Unfairly?
Subscribers Only Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be diagnosed at any age, but the disease can appear later in life. And late-onset RA may lead to less effective treatment for the older patient, according to results from a recent study.
Lightening the Load
Subscribers Only Ask your doctor about ways to avoid packing on the pounds to reduce your chances of needing a new hip or knee. If you’re overweight, the extra pounds you’re carrying are placing extra stress on your hips and knees. Obesity is a leading risk factor for hip and knee osteoarthritis, and it also may increase your odds of needing a new hip or knee.
In The News: June 2013
Subscribers Only Oral tofacitinib (Xeljanz) has been shown to inhibit structural progression and joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to an international phase III trial published in Arthritis & Rheumatism (March 2013). The 12-month analysis examined the effects of two years of treatment on joint preservation, RA disease activity and physical function in 797 patients with active disease, and at least three joint erosions or serologic evidence of rheumatoid factor or antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide.
Your Joints: Understanding the Body’s Complex, Forgotten Organ
Subscribers Only In biology, an organ is defined as a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. Numerous organs of the body are famous for their life-sustaining abilities, but one of the most important of these is often overlooked: your joints.