Could Your Pain and Stiffness Be Caused By Ankylosing Spondylitis?
November 19, 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
November 19, 2007Considering hip or knee replacement surgery? Heres 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
November 19, 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.