Learn all about arthritis, whether it's general information or the latest treatments and developments, from the specialists in our community.
The knee is a commonly injured area of the body. History and physical examination of this largely superficial structure allows injury diagnosis to be made relatively easily for most disorders. The indications for advanced imaging studies are not common and can be reserved for diagnostic dilemmas.
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Epidemiological research estimates that the lifetime risk of developing symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is 45%1. Because of the shifting demographics with an increasing percentage of the US population older than 65 years, the burden of KOA will continue to increase2, 3. Although a recent randomized controlled trial demonstrated that total knee replacement is more effective than nonsurgical treatment of end-stage knee OA4, effective nonsurgical treatments are required to manage knee OA until surgical intervention becomes medically necessary.
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Diet can minimize the effects of arthritis by adding anti inflammatory foods and avoiding inflammatory substances which aggravate arthritis symptoms.
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With an aging active population the incidence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis is increasing. Unfortunately there is a current lack of truly effective non-operative treatment options. Depending on the severity of disease, there is a hierarchy of commonly used management approaches including physical therapy, nutraceuticals, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and injectables including corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma and stem cells. The current blog reviews commonly utilized injectable biologic treatments for symptomatic knee arthritis and introduces the potential utility of joint fluid analysis as a prognostic tool.
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Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United State, and is a major reason for seeking medical care, and one of the most prevalent chronic conditions. In the past, evidence has been presented for the effectiveness of self-management in the treatment of arthritis-related pain and disability. The American College of Rheumatology has called for self-management education in its standard of care for osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, as part of its 2010 Goals for the Nation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called for an increase in the percentage of people participating in arthritis self-management education.
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Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood concentrate that has gained popularity among physicians and patients for the treatment of a variety of orthopedic conditions and injuries. The basis for its use involves the local delivery of growth factors, modulators of inflammation, and molecules that enhance the adhesion of cells.
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Patients who are overweight or obese can decrease the degeneration rate and slow down the severity of osteoarthritis progression through weight loss. A study in RADIOLOGY showed that over a 4 year period progression of knee joint cartilage loss was decreased in overweight patients who achieved a loss of 5 percent or more in body mass index (BMI).
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Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis, Duke University, and Cytex Therapeutics Inc. have developed a technology using so called SMART cells (Stem cells Modified for Autonomous Regenerative Therapy) that will develop into cartilage cells and at the same time produce a biologic anti-inflammatory drug, which will protect joints from the damage that results from chronic inflammation. Using a gene-editing tool known as CRISPR, the investigators remove a specific gene that is involved with inflammation and replace it with a gene that will release a biologic drug that fights inflammation.
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