Could Your Pain and Stiffness Be Caused By Ankylosing Spondylitis?
May 23, 2007Ankylosing spondylitis can be hard to diagnose because early symptoms mimic other arthritic conditions. Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic rheumatic disease characterized by inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. These joints are located in the lower back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone of your back) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Inflammation in these areas (spondylitis) causes pain and stiffness in and around the…
Advance Planning for Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Makes for Smoother Sailing
May 23, 2007Considering hip or knee replacement surgery? Here’s practical advice from Johns Hopkins doctors. Because hip or knee replacement surgery is rarely an emergency, you have plenty of time to set your house in order before you go to the hospital. That includes arranging your home so that it will be rehab-friendly when you return home, taking care of important paperwork, and lining up neighbors and friends to help. …
Q & A on Hip Replacement Surgery
May 23, 2007Considering hip replacement surgery, but not sure when the time is right? Frank Frassica, M.D., chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins, offers advice.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome -- Common and Difficult to Diagnose
May 23, 2007If you suffer from aches, stiffness, increased sensitivity to pain, or other arthritis-like symptoms, it could be fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatic condition that accounts for 15–20% of visits to rheumatologists. Fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis as it does not cause inflammation to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Instead, fibromyalgia causes pain and stiffness in tissues around the joints. …
Arthritis Q and A on Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery
May 23, 2007Is minimally invasive hip replacement surgery all that it’s cracked up to be? Simon Mears, M.D., chief of total joint arthroplasty and trauma at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, explains the advantages.Q. What are the benefits of minimally invasive hip replacement surgery? A. Patients must understand that although the term “minimally invasive” sounds attractive, the surgery is still the same as the standard procedure, only it is performed through smaller incisions. In fact, recent research…
Got Arthritis? Get Exercise!
May 23, 2007Studies show that most Americans with arthritis are not active enough. Here are some tips for exercise that’s easy on the joints and can be done regularly by those of us who suffer from arthritis.
The Best Way To Prevent Osteoarthritis
May 23, 2007Studies have shown that overweight or obese women who lose just 11 pounds decrease their risk of osteoarthritis by about 50%. Over 20 million Americans have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. One of the most frequent causes of physical disability in adults, osteoarthritis involves the progressive breakdown of cartilage and other joint tissues. By age 40, about 90% of people have some degree of osteoarthritis in their weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and…
Acetaminophen -- The First Drug of Choice for Arthritis Pain Relief
May 23, 2007In most cases, osteoarthritis can be treated quite effectively with acetaminophen, which is sold as over-the-counter Tylenol.
Don't Let Arthritis Lead To Another "-Itis" ...Bursitis!
May 23, 2007Prevent bursitis by avoiding activities that require repetitive motions. Stay in shape! Well-conditioned muscles are less susceptible to overuse injuries than tight or weak muscles.