Exercise & Prevention

Do you have aches and pains in your back, neck, shoulders or other parts of your body? The ways you hold and move your body may be to blame, or at least partly so. “It’s all about alignment,” says Cleveland Clinic physical therapist Mary Morrison, PT, DScPT. “When the alignment of your body is balanced […]

You probably know that a bunion is a bump on the inside of the foot, just below the base of the big toe. The cause of this protrusion is bone shifting at the joint where the bone just behind the big toe (first metatarsal bone) connects to the smaller bones of the big toe. This […]

Joint replacements of the hip and knee are commonly performed surgeries with a high success rate. Advancements continue to improve the technical aspects of these surgeries. No matter how skillfully the surgery is performed, the patient is an important factor in determining the ultimate outcome. A new hip or knee joint does not work by […]

In the December 2020 and January 2021 issues of Arthritis Advisor we discussed exercises for people with knee osteoarthritis that is confined to one location in the joint. But for many people, arthritic changes are all over. To review: Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage—the covering over the ends of bones in joints—breaks down. At the knee, […]

Osteoarthritis in the knee is very common. As discussed in the December 2020 issue of Arthritis Advisor, choosing the right exercises to treat knee osteoarthritis may depend on the specific location in the knee where cartilage has worn down. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage—the covering over the ends of bones in joints—breaks down. In the knee, […]

To treat osteoarthritis in the knee, the most effective exercise program will depend on the location in the joint where cartilage has worn down. The knee has two joints. The first is where the thigh bone (femur) connects to the shinbone (tibia). The two bones touch in two places—on the inside of the knee (medial) […]

The bones of the neck (the cervical spine) carry a lot of weight relative to their size. Like the knees and hips, the spine is vulnerable to wear and tear as we age. Cervical spondylosis, as doctors refer to neck arthritis, will afflict more than 85% of us by the time we reach our 60s. […]

Delaying Doses of Prolia Boosts Risk for Spine Fractures Denosumab (Prolia®) is a drug used for postmenopausal women and men who have the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. It is given as an injection every six months. This drug is effective for preserving bone density. Discontinuing it can lead to a reversal of its effects. A study […]

One-quarter of adults ages 65 and older fall at least once every year. One in five of those falls results in a serious injury, such as a head trauma or bone fracture. You may be aware of some of the risks for falling, including trip hazards and dim lighting. But did you know that a […]

Dogs are wonderful companions. One of the many benefits of having a dog is the necessity to go out for walks. Research shows that dog walkers are more likely than other people to get the recommended amount of physical activity. A walking routine is a great way to keep fit and also ease arthritis pain. […]

Physical Therapy Better Than Steroid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis Two options for treating knee osteoarthritis are physical therapy and corticosteroid injections. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (April 2020) compared them and found physical therapy to be superior. The study included 156 people with knee osteoarthritis who were divided into two […]

In January 2020, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published guidelines for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip and hand. Working with the Arthritis Foundation in a process that included the perspective of people who have osteoarthritis, the ACR reviewed the scientific literature and made recommendations both for and against various treatment options. […]