Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee pain in adults over 50. By age 70, about 27 percent of adults have knee osteoarthritis. Some common symptoms include swelling, loss of mobility, stiffness and chronic pain.

Arthritis pain management has been the topic of much debate. Some physicians prescribe prescription opioids to manage the pain of arthritis, but new research suggests opioids may do more harm than good.

According to a new study published in Arthritis Research and Therapy, opioids may not be effective in reducing pain and disability associated with knee osteoarthritis. Instead, opioids can cause unwanted side effects such as dizziness, nausea, constipation, sleepiness and addiction.

Jannis Bodden, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco, conducted a four-year study on opioid use and changes in knee structure. Dr. Bodden and her colleagues found that, compared to non-opioid users, opioid users showed:

• Faster progression of arthritis
• More structural degeneration of the knee
• Worse quality of life
• Higher mortality rate

“Despite the use of opioids, baseline symptom and pain control were worse in opioid users compared to controls,” noted Dr. Bodden and colleagues. “Loss of [quality of life] was more rapid in opioid users, when adjusted for baseline pain scores, further questioning long-term opioid use, particularly in view of major adverse effects associated with this medication.”

Natural Ways to Manage Chronic Arthritis

Medication can be one component of pain management, but doctors often recommend natural treatments as well. These may include:

• Exercise — Physical activity can help you manage your weight, increase mobility and flexibility and strengthen muscles.
• Cold and heat therapy — Warm showers, saunas, heating pads, ice packs and cold compresses can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Meditation and relaxation — Mindfulness can reduce stress and lower pain and inflammation.
• Healthy diet — A diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can increase antioxidants, boost immunity and reduce inflammation.

Call Your Orthopedist to Manage Your Knee Pain

You don’t have to live with chronic pain. Your orthopedist can help you manage knee pain with a customized treatment plan. Knee, hip and joint surgeries are among some of the most common and successful procedures performed today, and your doctor can discuss several options to suit your needs. Call today to make an appointment.

Hip and knee replacement surgeries are among the most common procedures performed today, with over 1 million surgeries performed each year. With baby boomers aging, the demand for total hip replacement and total knee replacement surgeries will continue to rise as more Americans are diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

Metal Allergy? A Rare but Painful Occurrence

Most joint replacement procedures are successful, but about ten percent will fail every year. Metal hypersensitivity is one of the causes of failure in a knee or a hip replacement, especially in patients undergoing revision surgery.

According to research, between 10 and 15 percent of the general population are sensitive to metal. Nickel is the most common metal allergy, followed by cobalt and chromium.

Some patients can experience allergies to metal in the joint hardware or the bone cement used to attach the joint to the bone. The allergies can cause symptoms including:

• Itching
• Pain
• Swelling
• Loosening of the joint

Non-Allergenic Components Improve Joint Replacement Success

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, using non-allergenic components in artificial joints can reduce complications. Karin Pacheco, MD, professor of medicine at National Jewish Health, has been analyzing allergies as a potential reason artificial joints fail. She asserts that replacing the artificial joint with non-allergenic materials may bring relief to many patients.

Pacheco and a group of research associates examined 105 patients with a failed joint that neither infection nor mechanical issues caused. The study found 34 patients were allergic to the metal, 39 were allergic to the bone cement, and 11 were allergic to both.

The research team also found:

• Patients who had metal sensitivity felt a sensation of “internal itching.”
• Two-thirds of the allergic patients had never previously experienced skin rashes or itching from contact with metals in jewelry, jean snaps or watchbands.

After a 12-month follow-up, Dr. Pacheco said the patients who had the artificial joint replaced with non-allergenic materials reported they experienced significant improvement in swelling, pain and instability.

More research is necessary to determine firm conclusions about metal allergies and joint replacement. However, this study shows the importance of testing for metal allergies when there seems to be no other cause for joint failure.

“Allergies to the metals or bone cement used in artificial joints are an under-appreciated cause of artificial joint failure,” said Pacheco. “Testing for allergies and replacement of the joints with non-allergenic materials can provide significant improvement in pain and limitation” (Medical Xpress).

Patients should talk to their physicians about the type of joint they will receive and any potential risks.

According to the CDC, over 54 million adults in the United States have arthritis, and the number may approach 78 million in 2040. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects over 32 million Americans.

A new study shows patients who received text messages encouraging them to exercise had better outcomes related to knee osteoarthritis.

Accountability Helps Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis

There are many reasons people don’t exercise, says Rachel Nelligan, a PhD candidate and physiotherapist at the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne in Australia. Exercise can be painful, and it is challenging to find quality treatment and remain motivated.

Nelligan conducted a randomized clinical trial on 180 patients with knee osteoarthritis to determine how motivation affects exercise and pain relief.

All participants had access to a free website that gave information about arthritis and emphasized the importance of being physically active. Half of the patients received a prescription for a 24-week exercise program, supplemented by automated text messages that encouraged them to keep exercising. The other half of the patients did not receive the same resources.

Not surprisingly, the patients who were in the intervention group showed improved mobility and decreased knee pain.

“People who had used the intervention group website and text message support told us the clear exercise instructions provided on the website enabled them to master the exercises without needing health professional input,” Nelligan said. “They also said the regular text message support was an important part of the program providing weekly exercise reminders and exercise motivation, as well as keeping them accountable to the program for the 24 weeks.”

Call Your Orthopedist to Manage Joint Pain

Are you looking forward to summer to spend more time outdoors? Warmer weather offers many opportunities to get moving, improve strength and reduce joint pain. If you have osteoarthritis or suffer from joint pain, it is essential to exercise regularly.

Your orthopedist can provide you with safe exercises to relieve joint pain and a fitness schedule that is compatible with your treatment plan. If you experience chronic pain in your knee, hip or shoulder, it may be time to talk to your doctor about a total joint replacement. These procedures are safe and successful with a surprisingly short recovery time.

Call today to schedule an appointment and discuss your options.

Have you become less active during COVID? Since the onset of the pandemic, millions of Americans have become more sedentary. According to the American Psychological Association, 42 percent of adults have gained weight during COVID, at an average of 29 pounds. With 36.5 percent of Americans obese and another 32.5 percent overweight, additional “COVID weight” further increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, joint pain and arthritis.

A recent study found that the biggest challenge for desk workers is the lack of physical activity. Long periods of sitting affects joint and spine health, flexibility, posture and mobility. As you sit, the hip muscles progressively tighten from being hinged for long periods of time. Exercising after work is not sufficient to relieve tight hips, an aching back and sore shoulders. It is essential to find ways to remain active throughout the day.

How to Increase Activity During the Work Day

Taking regular breaks throughout the day can prevent health problems from unnecessary eye strain to joint stiffness, and chronic pain in the shoulders and neck. More important than how you move is how often you move.

Here are ten ways to stay active during your workday, even if you have a desk job:

1. Add steps to your commute—Get your body moving before the workday begins. Do you live close to your job? Try walking or riding your bike. If you take public transportation, get off at an earlier stop to walk a few extra blocks.
2. Park far away from the door—Try parking at the top of the parking garage or finding a space that is farthest from the front door of the office.
3. Sit on an exercise ball—An exercise ball is perfect for strengthening the core and the lower back. Sit in the ball during breaks, or use a headset and take calls while sitting on the ball.
4. Choose an active commute—Try to get some exercise before your workday even begins. If you live close to work, walk or bike to your job. If you ride a subway or bus, try getting off at an earlier stop to walk a few extra blocks to work.
5. Alternate sitting and standing—For every 30 minutes of sitting, stand for five minutes. It is even better if you can walk around during those five minutes.
6. Take the stairs—When you have the choice of taking the elevator or the stairs, choose stairs. Let everyone else wait in line for the elevator while you get in some extra steps.
7. Get a standing desk—There are so many options for standing desks and even treadmill desks. You can take conference calls or answer emails while moving your body.
8. Elevate your feet—Do you feel heaviness in your legs and feet? Elevating your feet on a bench, ottoman or stool can be very helpful. You could even take a break, lie down and elevate your legs against the wall.
9. Keep some fitness gear in your office—Consider keeping a fitness ball, resistance bands or even small, handheld weights in your office so you can do some strength training or stretching during a break.
10. Join a fitness center near your work—Instead of eating lunch, grab your gym bag and do a mid-day workout.

Call Your Orthopedist to Treat Joint Pain

Staying active is essential for your physical and mental health. If you are experiencing chronic pain, there is an underlying cause. Your orthopedist may have some treatments to reduce your pain, or it may be time to discuss total joint replacement.

You don’t have to live with joint, back or neck pain. Call today to get relief.

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis, a condition caused by joint inflammation, affects 50 million Americans and 350 million individuals worldwide. Women are slightly more prone to arthritis than men, but the disease can affect anyone, even children.

What are the Types of Arthritis?

There are three main types of arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis—This is the most common type of arthritis. It forms when the cartilage at the end of a joint deteriorates and bone nerve fibers become exposed.
2. Rheumatoid—This type of arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system targets the joints and causes joint inflammation and pain.
3. Psoriatic—This kind of arthritis affects people with psoriasis. The immune system not only attacks the joint but also the ligaments and tendons near the joint.

Chronic Stress Linked to Arthritis

Many factors can cause arthritis to develop, including age, injury and inflammation. A new study published in Arthritis Care & Research suggests stress can play a significant role in arthritis. The researchers found a strong association between chronic stress and the development of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Very few studies have explored the effects of “chronic stress-related physiological burden on musculoskeletal health,” but stress is a major contributor to arthritis, said Sarah N. Schwetlik, BPhysio, MMuscsklSportPhysio, of the University of South Australia. She and her colleagues examined 54 studies, and 41 of the studies showed associations between chronic stress and arthritis.

Scwetlik also discovered an “increased prevalence of both [osteoarthritis] and [rheumatoid arthritis] with increasing degrees of childhood difficulty” (Healio).

COVID-19 and Increased Stress Levels

Stress is not just a risk factor in arthritis development. Being under stress can also make arthritis symptoms worse. Pandemic-related job loss, financial strain and mental health pressure due to COVID-19 have caused millions of Americans to experience more anxiety than ever before. Although more Americans are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations daily, the pandemic’s effects will continue for several years.

Stress response triggers chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol, increasing muscle tension and setting off an inflammatory response in the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and lupus are all fueled by inflammation. As the duration of stress increases, inflammation levels increase as well and become more destructive.

Ways to Manage Stress and Get Joint Pain Relief

One of the best ways to prevent arthritis or manage your arthritic complications is to manage your stress. By implementing stress-management techniques, you can reduce joint pain and improve your quality of life. Here are three ways to manage your stress and get joint pain relief:

• Exercise every day—Regular exercise like walking, swimming, biking and aerobic exercise can help release endorphins, chemicals that boost your mood and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.
• Yoga and meditation—Deep breathing, movement and mindfulness help slow the pulse and quiet the body to a calm state.
• Find a licensed therapist—Counseling can help you implement cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a technique that allows you to view your worries from a different perspective (Arthritis Foundation).

Call Your Orthopedist

Are you suffering from chronic joint pain? Your orthopedist can help you get your arthritis under control by providing you with a treatment plan that may include de-stressing methods, medication, daily exercise and diet modifications. Call today to schedule an appointment so you can discuss your symptoms and get relief.

If you have persistent joint pain, getting treatment may not have been a priority for you during this stressful time; however, delaying treatment will only worsen joint problems. We all have loved ones who need us in their lives – those who rely on us and who can’t wait until we can all safely gather together again once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. Getting treatment for your joint pain can help ensure you’re healthy and available to begin reconnecting with your loved ones.

Chronic Joint Pain is a Common Problem for Americans

If you’re struggling with pain in your knee, hip, shoulder or hand, you’re not alone? Orthopedic issues are the most common reason people seek medical attention. In fact, one in every seven Americans has had an orthopedic problem.

Although millions of Americans suffer from chronic joint pain, nearly 84 percent of all orthopedic procedures are expected to be delayed, postponed or canceled due to COVID-19. Because of the pandemic, many people have had to delay procedures including:

• Knee replacement
• Hip replacement
• Shoulder and rotator cuff surgery
• ACL surgery
• Hand surgery
• Wrist surgery

Total Joint Replacement: A Safe, Successful Procedure

Total joint replacement, also called total joint arthroplasty (TJA), is among the most common and successful surgeries performed today. During this procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged or arthritic joint and replaces it with a metal, plastic or ceramic prosthetic joint.

Surgeons perform nearly one million total joint arthroplasty procedures in the United States annually, giving patients years of pain relief and restored mobility. According to a 2019 study published in The Lancet, 82 percent of knee replacements still function after 25 years.

Do Not Delay Your Orthopedic Procedure

Make your joint health a priority so you can enjoy reconnecting with your family. If your surgery center had to cancel your hip, knee or shoulder replacement or hand or wrist surgery, this could be the ideal time to reschedule your procedure. Your surgery center may have shortened hours, but you can still call the office to schedule a surgery, speak to a nurse or leave a message for your doctor.

You don’t have to continue to live with joint pain. Call an orthopedic specialist to schedule an appointment today and begin your journey toward relief!

Staying active is an essential component in weight loss and overall health. Not all types of exercise are beneficial for your joints, however. According to a new study, sports like tennis and racquetball could cause knee joints to degenerate faster in overweight people with arthritis.

Racket Sports Can Worsen Arthritis

A research team assessed knee degeneration in 415 obese or overweight patients who participated in the U.S. Osteoarthritis Initiative. The patients kept records of their physical activity, which included cycling, jogging, swimming, elliptical trainer, ball sports and racket sports.

According to MRI results, the patients who preferred the elliptical trainer experienced the least knee degeneration. Patients who participated in racket sports experienced significantly more knee degeneration than patients who preferred running and jogging.

Silvia Schiro, MD, from the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Parma, Italy, led the research. Schiro said racket sports cause more knee degeneration because they are fast-paced, high shear load exercises that require rapid side-to-side movement.

“A large lateral force imparted at the foot during side-to-side movements may be driving large knee adduction moments, a key feature in medial compartment disease, which imparts high compressive loads on the medial tibia and femoral condyle,” Schiro explained (Eurekalert).

Jogging, running, swimming and elliptical machines use a forward motion, which places less strain on joints. Schiro noted that not all overweight arthritic patients are at risk for further knee injury.

“It is possible that some individuals with sufficient strength and motor control may be able to safely play [racket] sports,” she said. “Our data suggests that as a group, though, overweight and obese individuals who play racket sports are at higher risk for disease progression.”

Safe Knee Exercises for Arthritis

Arthritis is a complex process, which means all patients need an individualized treatment plan. Regular exercise is important, but certain types of physical activity could damage your knees further and lead to a total joint replacement surgery known as total joint arthroplasty.

Talk with your doctor about specific knee exercises to avoid. If you enjoy racket sports, ask your doctor about possible substitutions for tennis and racquetball such as badminton or doubles tennis.

Schedule a Total Joint Arthroplasty Consultation

Knee osteoarthritis affects more than 14 million Americans. If you are experiencing chronic knee or hip pain, call your orthopedist to make an appointment. Your doctor can help you manage your pain and get back to living an active, independent lifestyle.

A new study found patients who feel anxious or depressed before joint replacement surgery could experience adverse outcomes. It is important to discuss your health with your doctor before the procedure so you can have a successful recovery.

What is Total Joint Replacement?

Total joint replacement, also known as total joint arthroplasty (TJA), is a surgical procedure in which parts of a damaged joint or arthritic joint are removed and replaced with a plastic, metal or ceramic device called a prosthesis.

Total joint arthroplasty is one of the most common, cost-effective and successful surgeries in medicine today. There are more than one million total joint replacement procedures performed in the United States every year, and the number is expected to increase to four million in 2030.

Depression, Anxiety and Pain Anticipation Predict Outcomes

According to an online article published in October in the Journal of Pain, even mild anxiety, depression and pain anticipation can influence whether total joint replacement patients experience pain relief after surgery.

Nils Georg Niederstrasser, Ph.D., from the University of Portsmouth, U.K., and Stephanie Cook, Ph.D., from De Montfort University in Leicester, U.K., examined 26 studies that analyzed the effect of preoperative psychological predictors on knee and hip replacements that did not require revision surgery.

Dr. Niederstrasser and Dr. Cook found evidence that depression and anxiety affected postoperative pain intensity and joint function, and that pain anticipation affected postoperative pain intensity (Medical Xpress).

Get the Best Results from Your Total Joint Replacement

Even though there are no studies to support the effects of a positive mindset on total joint replacement outcomes, there is strong evidence that negative thoughts and feelings are detrimental.

There are certain health issues that can make you more prone to complications during surgery. Your doctor and surgeon can help create a plan to reduce your modifiable risk factors, or risk factors that you can change.

Modifiable risk factors include:

• Body weight—your doctor may recommend you lose weight if you are overweight or obese
• Smoking—quitting smoking is important to optimize surgical results
• Blood sugar—diabetics or pre-diabetics should get blood sugar levels under control before surgery

Some risk factors are non-modifiable, but your surgical team will address those issues in your treatment and recovery plan (American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons). Some examples are:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Lung disease

Getting Healthy Before Surgery

Taking active steps toward a healthier lifestyle can help boost your optimism about your upcoming joint replacement surgery.  Eating a balanced diet, exercising daily and getting plenty of rest are essential to mentally and physically prepare you for surgery.

It is also important to assemble a network of social support of family and friends to assist you to recover. Consider asking your loved ones to:

• Help you create a comfortable space on the first floor of your home where you can recover
• Drive you to and from the surgery
• Pick up prescription medication
• Do grocery shopping and prepare some easy meals. You may also consider preparing and freezing some meals before surgery.
• Visit you or call you occasionally to check on you and boost your spirits

Schedule a Total Joint Arthroplasty Consultation

Even though you cannot eliminate all risk factors, you can take proactive steps toward optimum health, which will facilitate your recovery. Joint replacement can help you live a fuller and longer life. Call your orthopedic surgeon to ask if you are a candidate for total joint replacement. Some careful planning can help you stay positive and encouraged to prepare for the surgery and the recovery.

Younger knee replacement patients are more likely to require revision surgery within two years of their original procedure than older patients.

Total Knee Arthroplasty

Knee replacement surgery, or total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is one of the most common orthopedic procedures performed today. More patients are choosing TKA at a younger age, and one study predicts TKA surgeries will surge 183 percent by 2030.

Most younger TKA patients do very well, but this age group has a higher rate of knee replacement revision surgery during their lifetime. A group of researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care conducted a study comparing previous TKA and revision TKA surgeries in older and younger patients.

Knee Replacement Revision and Smoking

James Keeney, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, reviewed medical records of TKA patients 55 and younger and compared them to records of patients between 60 and 75. Keeney and his research team found younger patients were twice as likely to require knee replacement revision surgery within two years of their original procedure than older patients. Younger patients were also more likely to get an infection or experience mechanical complications with the new joint.

Although many factors can cause a joint to fail, Keeney says one of the most likely culprits is smoking. Past studies found tobacco use increases the risk for infection and wound complications. Keeney suggests doctors should include smoking cessation programs as part of TKA treatment plans (Medical Xpress).

Schedule a Total Knee Arthroplasty Consultation

Are you considering total knee arthroplasty? Call your orthopedist and schedule a consultation. If you are a smoker, talk with your doctor about a smoking cessation program, so you can quit smoking before your knee replacement procedure.

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.