Saturday October 11, 2008
While
pain relief has historically been the main reason people have joint replacement surgery -- the need to improve joint function has also become motivating for patients -- especially those involved in
athletic activities. Surgeons typically recommend low-impact sports to patients who have joint replacements and steer them away from high-impact sports -- in an effort to prolong the life of the prosthesis.
If you have had joint replacement surgery and the pain is gone, you probably think you are good to go, in terms of participating in athletic activities. Most doctors will have reservations, though. To find out what doctors want you to consider before participating in strenuous athletic activities, read Athletic Activities After Joint Replacement.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Splint, Surgery, or Watch-and-Wait?
Wednesday October 8, 2008
The best approach for treating
carpal tunnel syndrome has been studied and debated for years. An updated review of studies that appears in Issue 4 (2008) of
The Cochrane Library concludes that surgery is more effective at relieving carpal tunnel symptoms than splinting. Compared to non-surgical treatment options, patients were found to have significantly less pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness at 3 months and one year following surgery.
In the updated review, Chilean researchers evaluated 4 new studies that involved 317 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients who had surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome rarely had to return for a second surgery. Patients who were first treated with medication or splinting often had surgery later.
Initially, most carpal tunnel patients are treated non-surgically, although treatment varies worldwide. Researchers concluded that surgery was better than splinting, although it was less clear whether surgery was better than a steroid injection. Some researchers believe a watch-and-wait approach is best since many patients stay the same or improve over time.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With Fat Limbs Suffer More Disability
Sunday October 5, 2008
People with
rheumatoid arthritis who have more fat on their arms and legs tend to suffer more disability associated with the disease. According to a report in the October issue of
Arthritis Care & Research, researchers assessed body composition and disability in 197 men and women with rheumatoid arthritis. Study participants were asked to respond to a standard Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) which rated their ability or inability to perform usual
daily living activities.
Patients who had more fat on their arms and legs had higher HAQ scores (worse physical function). Patients who had more lean mass (more muscle) on their arms and legs had lower HAQ scores (better physical function). While other factors also contribute to disability -- in an effort to improve physical function and reduce disability -- rheumatoid arthritis patients should focus on muscle strengthening and fat loss.
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Three Genes Linked to Increased Risk of Gout
Friday October 3, 2008
Gout is a painful inflammation of the joints which can develop along with a build-up of
uric acid in the blood, known as
hyperuricemia. There are known
risk factors for gout, including a diet high in
purine-rich foods, obesity, alcohol consumption, taking certain medications, and a genetic predisposition for the disease.
Researchers from the United States and the Netherlands have identified mutations in 3 genes that are associated with high levels of uric acid in the blood. According to study results published in the October 4, 2008 issue of The Lancet, researchers evaluated 500,000 genetic variations in more than 20,000 people who were enrolled in three large studies looking at cardiovascular risk factors. They confirmed that two genes increased the risk of gout, and another was likely associated with increased gout risk. The genes are involved with urate transport in the kidney.
Based on what researchers called "genetic risk scores", the 3 genes combined were associated with up to a 40-fold increased risk of developing gout. It is believed that this could identify people at high risk of developing gout long before symptoms are observed. It may also help determine the best treatment for patients with hyperuricemia who have yet to show gout symptoms.
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