Sunday March 14, 2010
Pregnant women with metal-on-metal hip replacements pass metal ions to the fetus, according to researchers from Rush University Medical Center. Metal-on-metal implants, as the name suggests, have the ball of the joint and the socket made of metal. As metal parts rub against each other, wear, and corrode -- metal ions are released.
Maternal and umbilical cord blood were tested for titanium, nickel, cobalt, and chromium in a group of mothers with metal-on-metal implants and their offspring. Researchers then compared the results to a control group (mothers without metal-on-metal implants). Mothers with metal-on-metal implants had much higher levels of chromium and cobalt than mothers in the control group. In the metal-on-metal group, cobalt and chromium levels in umbilical cord blood was lower than in the mother's blood sample. This indicates the placenta provided some barrier to the passage of metal ions from mother to fetus -- but an incomplete barrier. Some ions got through.
Researchers emphasize that it is not known if the metal ions in the mother's bloodstream or those passed to the fetus pose any health risk. But this information should be considered by women of child-bearing age when deciding which type of hip replacement would be the optimal choice.
Related Resources:
Join the Discussion:
Image © A.D.A.M.
Sunday March 14, 2010
Since the early 70s, when I first was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, orthopedic surgeons have been advising young patients to wait for joint replacement surgery. Young patients were warned that if they had surgery at their young age, they would face prosthesis failure and require revision surgery. There were some surgeons, like my own, who saw the need for a young person who had lost quality of life -- but this perspective was more rare than not.
Now, a Mayo Clinic research team has discovered a national trend toward younger, more diverse patients having total knee replacement surgery. They found that about 800,000 knee replacements were performed between 1990 and 1994. But, the number jumps considerably -- with 2.1 million performed between 2002-2006. The average age of a knee replacement patient dropped two years -- from 70 to 68 during the aforementioned years. There also was evidence that more minorities were having knee replacement surgery.
Why are younger patients "going for it" as they say? Knee replacement is a surgical procedure that is well-established and better prostheses have been developed. The surgeons have become more comfortable with knee replacement for younger patients. The procedure performed in younger patients no longer is a concept that's instantly disregarded.
Related Resources:
Join the Discussion:
Tom Denham (stock.xchng)
Wednesday March 10, 2010
Roche, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, has suspended late-stage clinical trials of a biologic drug being developed to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The drug, ocrelizumab, is a fully human monoclonal antibody against CD-20 positive lymphocytes. In plain English, it was being developed as an anti-B cell therapy similar to Rituxan (rituximab).
Johns Hopkins reported that ocrelizumab was expected to "reduce the development of drug neutralizing antibodies and infusion reactions" compared to rituximab. In theory, sounds like progress. Instead, it has been established that the safety risk associated with ocrelizumab outweighed the benefits. Roche has disclosed that several patients died from infections -- the exact number has not yet been released. For now, although testing has been suspended for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, ocrelizumab is still being tested for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).
Related Resources:
Join the Discussion:
Photo by electricspace (iStockphoto)
Sunday March 7, 2010
Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that serve as cushions and reduce friction between bone and other moving parts, such as overlying muscle, tendons, or skin. There are approximately 160 bursae found throughout the body. If a bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is referred to as bursitis.
People whose occupation or leisure activity requires repetitive use of a joint are prone to bursitis. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of bursitis in Bursitis - Fast Facts.
Related Resources:
Join the Discussion:
Photo © A.D.A.M.
