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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is best known for its damaging effects on joints. However, because it is a systemic disease, RA can also cause problems in other parts of the body, including the eyes. The most common eye problem is dry eyes. “About 30% to 40% of people with RA have dry eyes,” says ophthalmologist Careen […]

Q: My husband (in his 70s) and I (in my 80s) suffer with leg cramps, which have gotten worse lately. They are happening more often in the night. What should we do? I’ve heard magnesium is good for this. A: Leg cramps (a “charley horse”) are sudden, involuntary muscle pains, usually in the calf, but […]

Osteoporosis Underdiagnosed and Undertreated in Older Men Older men who experience a bone fracture are underdiagnosed and undertreated for osteoporosis, according to a study presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting (November 2020). In an older adult, a bone fracture that is not the result of a major trauma means the person has […]

If you occasionally have a stiff, achy neck, you are in good company. Most people have at least one episode of neck pain during their lifetime. While neck pain can be bothersome, it usually goes away with some simple measures. “Most people who have neck problems have a benign type of neck pain that will […]

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and muscle. It also has effects on other systems in the body. Having sufficient levels may help reduce risk for heart disease and cancer and may play a role in preserving cognitive function. Research suggests that vitamin D may also have a protective role against viral respiratory infections. […]

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, […]

The ongoing search to improve treatment for osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions has fueled investigation into therapies called orthobiologics. These are based on substances (such as cells or molecules) that naturally occur in the body and have properties that might aid in the treatment of injured or degenerated tissues. Orthobiologics include placental tissue, amniotic tissue, […]

Q: I was told not to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because of a medical condition. This is difficult because I have osteoarthritis. What else can I try? A: NSAIDs, which reduce inflammation and relieve pain, can be effective medications for osteoarthritis. But they have limitations due to potential side effects. People with certain medical […]

Pain Medication Use Reduced After Exercise Therapy for Osteoarthritis Among people with hip or knee osteoarthritis, use of pain medications was found to be reduced after an exercise program in a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (September 2020). The study included 16,499 people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. The researchers analyzed […]

If you have pain and stiffness in your shoulder, you may think you have a rotator cuff injury, tendi­nitis or osteo­arthritis. But there’s another possibility. Adhesive capsulitis, commonly called frozen shoulder, causes similar symptoms. Once frozen shoulder starts, it can take up to two years to fully recover. Jason Genin, DO, and the Tendinopathy Evaluation Assessment […]