Arthritis
Latest articles on Arthritis
For people with lupus, "Diagnosis and treatment are much better today than a few years ago, and these factors contribute to improved lives and longer lifespans. I'm very optimistic for the future," says rheumatologist Mary Cronin, MD.
About 20,000 cases of tick-borne Lyme disease are reported every year, making it the most common illness transmitted by bugs or animals in the United States.
Treatments for arthritis include rest and relaxation, exercise, proper diet, medication, and instruction about the proper use of joints and ways to conserve energy.
Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis that occurs as a "reaction" to an infection elsewhere in the body.
Many who suffer from debilitating arthritis can resume normal activities after total joint replacement. Edward Nelsen-Freund, MD, believes a conservative approach and careful follow-up are important elements of long-term success.
"Sjogren's syndrome is a systemic disease that has many manifestations," says E. Lee Stock, MD. While some of the symptoms are most obvious in the eyes, the autoimmune disorder has been linked to a host of serious medical problems.
"In addition to new longer-lasting joint replacement materials, we are looking into the development of new implant techniques," says orthopaedic surgeon Dr. James T. Ninomiya.
Including those younger than 65, the number of people with arthritis alone will reach 60 million by the year 2020. Mary E. Cronin, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin Associate Professor of Medicine, offers three critical areas for arthritis prevention and treatment: exercise, weight control and physical therapy.
Unfortunately, some individuals are experiencing a significant deterioration in their quality of life without COX-2 drugs, says Dr. Paul Halverson. They have not found another drug that gives them the kind of pain relief they enjoyed with Vioxx.
Lyme disease can cause symptoms affecting the skin, nervous system, heart and/or joints of an infected individual. More than 7,000 cases have been reported in Wisconsin since surveillance for Lyme disease began in 1980.
"You can be a 'successful ager' and still have chronic conditions like hypertension and osteoporosis that can be well tolerated with good management," says Dr. Edith Burns.
Gout, which accounts for approximately 5% percent of all cases of arthritis, is considered one of the most painful of the rheumatic diseases.
According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million (as many as one in 50) Americans. For unknown reasons, between 80% and 90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women; however, men and children also can be affected.
Using custom-designed, specially fabricated joint prostheses made from a model of the patient's own anatomy, Dr. Steven Sewall and his colleagues can successfully replace the complex temporomandibular joint.
Patient satisfaction with minimally invasive hip replacement surgery has risen to 96%, notes Dr. James Ninomiya. He credits improved pain management and advances in surgical techniques that have made the new procedure possible.
Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, some of the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems.
The “baby boom” generation born between 1946 and 1964 is discovering middle age, and along with it knee problems made worse – or at least more obvious – by lifestyles that stay vigorous well into the later years.
More than 40 million Americans are affected by some form of arthritis, and many have chronic pain that limits daily activity.
There are about 100 types of arthritis and related disorders, many of which are actually caused by bacteria or viruses.
There is no connection between Lyme disease and the development of polymyalgia rheumatica.
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