New research suggests patients with joint, bone and muscle pain experienced a worsening of symptoms during COVID-related quarantine.

According to a recent study from the University of East Anglia, people with musculoskeletal pain cited intensified symptoms during government lockdown. The study, led by Dr. Toby Smith and Professor Alex MacGregor, reviewed online surveys of 678 citizens of the United Kingdom to assess how patients managed joint, bone and muscle pain during quarantine and how quarantine restrictions impacted their access to healthcare.

Dr. Smith and Professor MacGregor began the survey at the end of April 2020, just five weeks after the COVID lockdown. Traditionally, doctors prescribe medications and physical activity to manage bone, muscle and joint disease. The study found patients who experienced loneliness and social isolation were less likely to seek medical care.

The researchers also discovered:

• 53 percent of surveyed patients said their bone, joint and muscle issues had worsened since lockdown
• About 33 percent of the patients said they needed to visit their primary care physician or the rheumatology department at a hospital
• More than 88 percent of patients said they could access their medication without difficulty, but 44 percent needed assistance from others to access it.

“Our results show that the coronavirus pandemic is a major challenge to people’s health and wellbeing, both to young and older people,” said Dr. Toby Smith. “We wanted to know how the new restrictions might be affecting pain, and better understand who is most at risk of experiencing flare-ups, or reduced wellbeing due to social isolation and loneliness.”

Call Your Orthopedist

If you have had to cancel an appointment or procedure because of the COVID-19 quarantine, you should reschedule it as soon as possible.

According to GlobalData, more than eight out of ten musculoskeletal procedures have been postponed, canceled or delayed because of COVID. However, almost all surgery centers and orthopedic practices have resumed appointments and procedures. Has the pandemic affected your bone, joint or muscle pain? The remaining weeks of the year could be the perfect opportunity to schedule your procedure.

Call your doctor today about rescheduling your appointment, surgery or procedure. You can experience pain relief, increased mobility and more independence to do the activities you enjoy.

Total hip replacements and total knee replacements are two of the most common and successful surgeries performed today, but they can still fail due to normal wear and tear, fracture or infection. Revision surgery is less effective and associated with more complications. Therefore, the goal is to make the first hip replacement last as long as possible.

If you are considering a total joint replacement procedure, your top priority is a positive outcome. A new study from the United Kingdom published in PLOS Medicine found that choosing the best hip implant was more critical than selecting the best surgeon.

Implant Choice is More Important Than a Surgeon’s Skill

Researchers at the Musculoskeletal Research Unit at the University of Bristol, the NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, and the University of Exeter used data from the National Joint Registry to analyze 650,000 patients from England and Wales who had a hip replacement. One hospital had significantly better outcomes compared to others. The research team found the “outstanding hip implant survival results” from this hospital were linked to hip implant choice rather than the surgeon’s skill who performed the total hip replacement.

Jonathan Evans, Academic Clinical Lecturer at the Bristol Medical School Translational Health Sciences (THS) based at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, was the lead author. “We want patients…to feel empowered to ask their surgeon not only what implants they plan to use for their hip replacement but, more importantly, to ask for the long-term evidence that the implant works well,” he said. “If they do not feel happy with the answer, then patients should feel confident asking for another opinion or even vote with their feet and go to a different hospital” (University of Exeter).

Is Hip Replacement Right for You?

The best way to know whether you are a candidate for a hip replacement is to speak to your orthopedist. Many hip replacement patients experience some or all of the following:

• Hip pain during the day and night
• Hip pain that continues during resting
• Stiffness in the hip that limits mobility in the leg or prevents lifting the leg
• Hip pain that limits everyday activities, such as walking or bending
• Insufficient pain relief from anti-inflammatory drugs, walking supports or physical therapy

Call Your Doctor for an Evaluation

Do not let hip pain restrict your lifestyle and activities. One of our orthopedists can schedule a consultation to discuss the best hip implant for your specific goals. Your doctor will provide a full evaluation and a detailed treatment plan so you can resume your normal activities without pain. Call our office today to make an appointment.

A recent study finds excess weight is responsible for almost 25 percent of arthritis cases in the United States.

Are you suffering from joint pain and considering a total hip replacement or total knee replacement? According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 23 percent of all Americans have arthritis, and one in four adults with arthritis experience acute joint pain. New research reveals body weight as a significant arthritis risk factor.

Healthy Body Weight Lowers Risk for Arthritis

Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) published a new study that found excess weight causes nearly one-quarter of all arthritis cases in the United States, affecting 2.7 million people. Weight loss between early adulthood and middle age lowered the risk for arthritis. The study also showed that people who were overweight in early life and then lost weight were not at elevated risk for arthritis.

The study examined data on adults between the ages of 40 and 69, taken from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers categorized adults based on variations in their body mass indices between early adulthood to mid-life, and they examined the link between BMI and the risk of developing osteoarthritis within the next decade.

Overweight and obese adults, as well as adults who initially had a normal BMI and became overweight or obese, were all more likely to develop arthritis compared to adults whose BMI remained in the normal weight zone.

Kaitlyn Berry was the lead author of the study while she was a research fellow at BUSPH. Berry said weight loss was extremely effective in reducing individual arthritis risk, but preventing weight gain was a more beneficial goal on a national level.

“These findings highlight the need for lifelong public health measures to prevent obesity at younger ages as an important step to curb later life musculoskeletal and joint health problems such as osteoarthritis. This is particularly important as musculoskeletal pain is a leading cause of disability globally,” said Dr. Tuhina Neogi, study co-author and professor of epidemiology at BUSPH, professor of medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine, and chief of rheumatology at Boston Medical Center (Medical Express).

Call your Orthopedist

If you are suffering from chronic pain and are considering a total joint replacement, make an appointment with your orthopedist. Bodyweight is a significant arthritis risk factor, and your doctor can discuss various treatment options with you. Total hip replacement and total knee replacement may be the right course of treatment for you, but weight loss could be beneficial for your joints and your overall health.

A new study published in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests total hip replacement surgery could remedy hip pain as well as lower back pain.

Back Pain and Hip Pain in America

Back pain and hip pain are two of the most common complaints in adults. Back pain is the leading cause of disability and prevents millions of Americans from going to work and taking part in daily activities. According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time.

More than 450,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in the United States. A hip replacement is a procedure in which a surgeon removes a worn-out, painful hip joint and replaces it with an artificial joint often made from plastic and metal components. Total hip replacement has an extremely high success rate, and 95 percent of patients report experiencing relief.

Total Hip Replacement May Have Additional Benefit

There may be a solution to solve hip pain and back pain simultaneously. A research team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City analyzed 500 patients who had total hip replacement surgery and followed up with the patients the following year.

More than 40 percent of patients said they experienced lower back pain before their total hip replacement surgery. Within that group, 82 percent stated their lower back pain disappeared after surgery. In fact, the pain was “completely gone,” said Dr. Jonathan Vigdorchik, a hip and knee surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Dr. Vigdorchik found the highest success rates for eliminating hip and back pain were among patients whose spines were healthy and flexible. When a person’s spine is flexible, a weak or stiff hip can cause the spine to move more than usual, which can be painful. If the hip problem directly caused the back pain, the total hip replacement often solved both issues.

Patients whose spines had stiffened due to arthritis did not experience the same relief. Dr. Vigdorchik said since these patients already had arthritis of the spine, total hip replacement surgery was unlikely to alleviate back pain.

A thorough exam and a full panel of X-rays can be instrumental in helping physicians know whether back pain can be resolved with total hip replacement.

“Anytime [doctors are] looking at the hip, they should also look at the back, and anytime they’re looking at the knee, they should also look at the hip,” Vigdorchik said.

Make an Appointment with Your Orthopedist

Are you experiencing lower back pain in conjunction with hip pain? Call your orthopedist to make an appointment for a consultation and X-rays. A total hip replacement may provide relief for your back as well as your hip. You do not have to accept chronic pain as a way of life. One procedure could provide double benefits, so call today.

If your surgery center had to cancel your total knee or total hip replacement surgery due to COVID-19, you should reschedule it as soon as possible.

Almost 84 percent of elective orthopedic procedures in the U.S. have been delayed or canceled because of coronavirus. However, most surgery centers are performing procedures at this time. Did the pandemic affect your hip, knee or shoulder replacement or spinal fusion? These next few weeks could be the perfect opportunity to schedule your procedure.

Will My Surgery Center Close Again?

There are many uncertainties related to COVID-19, and it is impossible to predict the course the virus will take. Because surgery centers are open now, you should call today to schedule your procedure. Delaying that call could mean you may have to wait much longer.

How Can I Reach My Doctor?

Your surgery center may be seeing fewer patients, but you can still contact the office to leave a message for your surgeon. If you have a routine orthopedic problem, you may call the office and speak to a nurse. Some surgeons may offer telehealth, where you can talk to your physician virtually and describe your symptoms.

What Can I Do While I am Waiting for Surgery?

If you are waiting for total joint replacement surgery for your knee, hip or shoulder, you can try some of these treatments at home:

1. Alter your activities to avoid putting stress or strain on the affected joint.
2. Limit climbing stairs, walking long distances or lifting heavy objects.
3. Apply heat or ice to the joint.
4. Take anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling and pain.
5. Try to do light exercise to preserve movement in the affected joint.
6. Talk to your doctor about getting an injection of corticosteroid into the sore joint to control pain until you can reschedule your procedure.

Call your doctor today about rescheduling your total joint replacement surgery or orthopedic procedure. You will benefit from increased mobility and better quality of life, so do not delay in contacting your surgery center.

COVID-19 has had far-reaching impacts on our lives, with medical procedures and surgeries deemed “elective” postponed in order to slow the virus’s spread. In reality, these procedures are far from optional: delaying medical interventions can result in increased health problems.

Increased Patient Safety Measures to Combat COVID-19

In recent weeks, we have resumed elective cases and implemented a number of protocols to ensure your safety as you take charge of your health and schedule procedures at our ambulatory surgery centers. These measures include:

• Screening everyone who enters the center for COVID-19 symptoms
• Taking the temperature of every person who enters the center
• Requiring masks for all employees and patients
• Enforcing social distancing guidelines
• Requesting patient escorts remain in the car until patient is ready to go home
• Increasing cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day
• Providing hand sanitizer and tissues

Learn more about all of the steps we are taking to keep you safe.

Patients Feel Safe at our Centers

Patients who have already returned to the centers have first-hand experience of the new protocols in action. Their feedback has been extremely positive, with reactions like:

“During this COVID-19 time, I was especially nervous about my procedure but was immediately greeted by the friendliest nurse around. She was very courteous and kept asking if I was fine. She prepared me for the procedure by carefully doing everything that needed to be done and listened to me. The rest of the staff was also very professional and took great care of my needs. Thank you all for a great experience that I hopefully won’t have to repeat for a while.” – San Antonio, April 2020

“Even during these crazy times, I was treated with the utmost respect, courtesy and care. My doctor and her amazing team took the necessary steps to make sure I wasn’t put at greater risk during my procedure. They ensured all my questions were answered, and I was 100% ready going into and out of the procedure.” – Escondido, April 2020

“Sanitary, safe, NICE and COMPASSIONATE staff!! Thank you SO MUCH to all of my nurses throughout the entire experience!” – Lakeside, AZ, May 2020

Safely Schedule a Procedure

With increased safety measures in place, there has never been a better time to take care of that nagging hip or knee pain. Stop putting it off and call your doctor today to take the first step toward improving your health!

A new study found most patients who need a knee replacement are waiting too long and are missing out on the benefits of total joint replacement.

Knee replacement is one of the most successful procedures performed today, and it is effective to relieve pain and improve mobility. Doctors perform almost one million knee replacements every year. The average age of a patient scheduling total knee replacement is 70 years of age, and about 60 percent are women. Even though knee replacement is safe and produces good results, a new study from Northwestern Medicine claims patients are not scheduling their knee replacement at the optimum time.

Hassan Ghomrawi, associate professor of surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, led the study which analyzed more than 8,000 participants who had knee osteoarthritis or were at risk for the condition. Ghomrawi found 90 percent of patients with knee arthritis waited too long to have knee replacement and were not reaping the benefits of surgery. Also, 25 percent of patients who did not even need knee replacement were scheduling surgery too early. Ghomrawi asserted correct timing is essential to maximize effectiveness of total knee replacement.

Problems With Delaying or Rushing Knee Replacement

“People are waiting and waiting to have the procedure and losing the most benefit,” Ghomrawi stated. “When people wait too long, two things happen. The osteoarthritis causes deterioration of their function. Some of them wouldn’t be able to straighten out their legs, affecting their walking and mobility. When you can’t get exercise, you can start to develop other health problems such as cardiovascular problems. You may also become depressed. The overall impact can be huge.”

The study also found race affected patients’ decisions regarding timing of knee replacement. African-American patients were more likely to delay total knee replacement than Caucasian patients.

Scheduling knee surgery too early could mean patients may need to have a second surgery later in life, which could increase risk for less favorable outcomes and longer recovery time. The best timing for total knee replacement is based on a combination of factors such as age, joint function, pain and radiographic assessment.

Ghomrawi said doctors must make sure the timing of total knee replacement is optimal to offer patients the greatest benefit and keep healthcare costs manageable. “Because knee replacement is an elective procedure, the timing of surgery is susceptible to not just clinical factors but also demographic, socioeconomic and sociocultural ones,” Ghomrawi explained. “We need to develop a better understanding of these factors to improve timing of surgery.”

Schedule a Visit to Your Doctor

Are you interested in total knee replacement? Correct timing is essential. Make an appointment with your doctor so you can discuss the best timing for your surgery. Knee replacement surgery can help you regain your independence by alleviating pain and increasing your mobility, but talk to your doctor to make sure you are scheduling it at the optimum time.

A new study says rheumatoid arthritis is associated with other diseases like diabetes and heart disease, irritable bowel disease (IBD), sleep apnea and blood clots.

Rheumatoid arthritis, often known as RA, is a disease of the joints that is characterized by pain and inflammation. About 1.5 million Americans have RA, and women are three times more likely to develop the condition than men.

RA can cause many symptoms unrelated to the joints such as fatigue, weight loss and fever, and it can lead to many complications throughout the body.

A study by the Mayo Clinic found people who already had chronic diseases like Type 1 diabetes, blood clots or inflammatory bowel disease may be more likely to develop RA. The study also found patients with RA are more susceptible to developing blood clots, heart disease and sleep apnea.

Vanessa Kronzer, M.D., a rheumatology clinician investigator fellow at Mayo Clinic, was the corresponding author of the study. She said chronic health issues “accumulate in an accelerated fashion after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.” Autoimmune diseases and epilepsy can make individuals more prone to RA, and RA could be a precursor to heart disease and other systemic disorders.

One of the most significant findings of the study was that there was a strong correlation between patients with Type 1 diabetes developing RA. This could help doctors be vigilant in looking for signs of RA in patients with autoimmune disorders. Blood clots were also common in RA cases before diagnosis. This leads researchers to conclude systemic inflammation might begin before RA symptoms manifest.

“Our findings suggest that people with certain conditions, such as Type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, should be carefully monitored for rheumatoid arthritis,” Dr. Kronzer explained. “In addition, people who have rheumatoid arthritis, and their health care providers, should have heightened suspicion and a low threshold to screen for cardiovascular disease, blood clots and sleep apnea.”

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Call your doctor if you develop warning signs of rheumatoid arthritis. These may include:

• Joint pain, swelling, stiffness or tenderness for six weeks or longer
• Morning stiffness in the joints for 30 minutes or longer
• Pain and stiffness in corresponding joints (right and left hands, right and left wrists, etc.)

Undiagnosed RA increases the risk for other chronic diseases, so make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing joint problems. Early diagnosis of RA will lead to quick intervention and can prevent other chronic illnesses.

Are you experiencing pain, burning or tingling in your hand? You could be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the most common conditions among working adults. According to a recent article, women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Explained

The carpal tunnel is a thin channel made of bone and ligaments located along the bottom of the wrist. When this passage narrows or collapses, it squeezes the median nerve which helps control sensations and touch. Median nerve compression can cause symptoms of pain, burning or tingling in the thumb, fingers, hand and arm.

Why Are Women More Prone to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, but women are more likely to develop the condition than men. Perhaps this is due to hormonal changes that could affect fluid retention, especially during pregnancy or menopause. Swelling can reduce available space in the carpal tunnel and compress the median nerve.

An imbalance in the endocrine system like an underactive thyroid can also affect the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. According to American Thyroid Association, more than 12 percent of women will develop a thyroid disorder during their lifetimes. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid issues, which could be a key factor in why more women have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Factors that Increase Your Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Besides hormonal imbalance, many factors can influence your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome including:

• Heredity — some peoples’ genes make them more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hypertension, diabetes or obesity — these conditions can increase fluid retention
• Overuse of the wrist — small, repetitive movements like typing, using a mouse or working on an assembly line can strain ligaments in the hand
• Mechanical problems in the wrist — rheumatoid arthritis and previous wrist injury can cause inflammation of the carpal tunnel
• Cyst or tumor — a growth can impinge the carpal tunnel
• Using vibrating hand tools

Call Your Doctor for a Carpal Tunnel Evaluation

Wrist and hand irritation can sometimes go away on its own. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to call a doctor:

• Burning, tingling or itchiness in the hand, palm or fingers (especially the thumb, index and middle finger)
• Dropping objects
• Decreased grip strength
• Sensation of swollen fingers
• Difficulty sensing hot and cold in the hand
• Sleeping with your wrists flexed
• Shaking your hands out after sleep

Do not let carpal tunnel restrict your lifestyle and schedule. One of our hand specialists can provide you a full evaluation and treatment plan so you can resume your normal activities without pain. Our doctors can prescribe a specific treatment catered to your unique needs, so call our office today to make an appointment.