March 2004
Ask Dr. Marks: 03/04
Subscribers Only I’ve started to feel a little unsteady on my feet, and have nearly fallen several times in the past month. What could be causing this? There are many causes for feeling unsteady. The two most common are musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Joint stiffness and muscle weakness secondary to osteoarthritis can cause unsteadiness. When a hip or a knee lacks the range of motion necessary to make the moment-to-moment adjustments required in walking, the sensation is…
Lean On Me
Subscribers Only You don’t have to be Gene Kelly to use a cane with confidence. Whether your goal is to ease the pain of arthritis in your knee or hip, or to get back on your feet after surgery, a proper cane can have a therapeutic role to play. But to get the most out of this common support device, it’s important to buy one that fits your particular needs. Here are some key points to keep…
Increase Mobility, Brighten Your Outlook With Yoga
Subscribers Only Yoga is far from being just for the young and flexible. It’s actually one of the best forms of exercise for people with arthritis. Yoga lengthens muscles, reducing pain and dependence on medication, and also greatly decreases stress and depression. “What makes yoga unique is that it takes every joint through its full range of motion,” says Suza Francina, R.Y.T., director of the Ojai Yoga Center in Ojai, Calif. “Other forms of exercise don’t work…
High-Flex Fixed Knee
Subscribers Only There’s little doubt that total knee replacement (TKR) is the best remedy if you suffer from knee osteoarthritis—more than 300,000 TKRs are performed every year. They eliminate pain, improve overall quality of life, and, according to a recent report by the National Institutes of Health, they increase mobility and function in 90 percent of those who have the procedure. What’s more, the artificial joints are durable, lasting at least 20 years in 80 percent of…
In the News: 03/04
Subscribers Only ‘Chicken Shots’: Back To The Coop New research has shown a popular osteoarthritis treatment—hyaluronic acid injections—to be ineffective. The investigation, conducted by the Boston University School of Medicine, pooled data from 22 studies comparing hyaluronic acid injections (referred to as “chicken shots” because hyaluronic acid is extracted from chicken combs) and a salt-water-based placebo. Researchers found little difference in results between the two groups. …
Zapping Chronic Tendon Pain
Subscribers Only Patients suffering from debilitating tennis elbow, heel pain, and other chronic tendon injuries often face an unpleasant last resort when they fail drug therapy and rehab—the knife. But now, doctors at The Cleveland Clinic have developed a shocking new way to relieve their pain. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-surgical procedure that replaces the scalpel with powerful acoustic waves. The exact mechanism remains unclear, but it’s believed that the sound waves destroy…