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Being overweight or obese can put you at greater risk for developing osteoarthritis, and it can worsen symptoms for those who already have it. Keeping up a regular, healthy eating pattern is the key to maintaining a good weight. To do this, choose nutrient-dense foods. Start with breakfast. Some people skip breakfast, but evidence points […]

Q: I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica. What is this and can it be cured? A: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, typically in the shoulders and hips. Pain can spread to the upper arms and neck. Other symptoms are stiffness (particularly in the morning and after resting), weakness and fatigue. PMR […]

Almost a Quarter of Adults 40 and Older Have Knee Osteoarthritis Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and limited physical function among older adults. A study published in EClinical Medicine (December 2020), a journal by the Lancet, estimated the global impact of knee osteoarthritis and identified risk factors. The researchers reviewed results from […]

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 […]

Many people suffer with low back pain, and the causes can vary. When back pain stems from osteoarthritis in the joints at the back of the spine (facet joints), pain relief may be possible from a procedure called radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which disrupts pain-signaling nerve cells. “The type of person who might be helped has […]

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 […]

Falls can have serious consequences. Every year, more than 300,000 adults ages 65 and older are hospitalized for a hip fracture. Over 95% of these fractures are caused by falling, usually sideways. A hip fracture almost always requires surgery. “The plan is to try to fix them as quickly and safely as possible,” says Cleveland […]

Increased Risk for Bone Fractures Among Vegans Vegetarian and vegan diets are healthy ways of eating, but they may have a drawback. A study published in BMC Medicine (November 2020) found an increased risk for bone fractures among people on these diets. Researchers collected diet, health and behavioral data on close to 55,000 people between […]

Q: I have arthritis in my knees. I lost weight and am doing physical therapy, which have helped. But I still have pain and limited function. My doctor says I should consider knee replacement surgery, but I’m scared of having surgery. Do you have any advice? A: You are not alone. Many people have fears […]

Like all joints, your elbow can develop problems that make everyday activities, such as carrying groceries, playing sports or even getting a good night’s sleep, more difficult. While osteoarthritis may be one reason for discomfort, there are other disorders that are even more likely to be at fault for elbow pain. Elbow Anatomy The elbow is […]