Arthritis

Can Cartilage Be Replaced?

Surgery for the repair of knee cartilage is commonplace today. It involves removing loose cartilage and smoothing the surface of existing cartilage. But what if cartilage is missing—can a defect in the surface of the...

Can Acupuncture Improve My Osteoarthritis-Related Pain?

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine. It is based on the premise that the healthy body circulates an energy known as qi or chi. This energy circulates between the vital organs along channels...

Will Arthroscopy Help The Pain In My Knees?

Arthroscopy is a form of minimally invasive surgery that is performed on joints that have been injured through accident or disease. Arthroscopic procedures can be performed without opening the joint. These types of procedures have...

Can My Osteoarthritis Symptoms Be Improved With Surgery?

Many surgical interventions can provide relief of OA-related symptoms. They range from office procedures that your rheumatologist can do under local anesthesia to major surgery performed by orthopedic surgery specialists that requires you to be...

Is That An Antibiotic Can Help Osteoarthritis?

It is true that an antibiotic—doxycycline—has been evaluated in the treatment of OA. In studies employing animal models of OA, this drug has been shown to prevent or slow the progression of OA. It is...

Can The Osteoporosis Drug Risedronate Help Treat Osteoarthritis?

Risedronate (brand name: Actonel) is a bisphosphonate—a type of drug that is used to treat thinning of the bones (osteoporosis). Other drugs in this category include alendronate (Fosamax) and ibandronate (Boniva). Risedronate is also under...

Can Diacerhein Help My Osteoarthritis?

Diacerhein is one of the anthraquinones. Anthraquinones are organic compounds derived from plants and animals. They occur naturally in some plants, such as aloe and senna, as well as in fungi, lichens, and insects. Anthraquinones...

Do Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate Work For Osteoarthritis?

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements are very popular treatments for OA. Unfortunately, robust scientific evidence that demonstrates their effectiveness in treating this condition is lacking. Glycosaminoglycans are the building blocks for cartilage. Glucosamine is a...

What Are Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate?

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are both substances that are found naturally in the body. A glucosamine molecule is formed by adding an amino group (NH2) to a glucose molecule, thereby creating an amino sugar. Glucosamine...

Is Night Pain Common In Osteoarthritis?

The joint pain associated with OA typically gets worse during exercise and improves with rest. However, when OA is advanced and joints are significantly damaged, patients may experience pain while resting—especially pain at night that...

Can Exercise Improve My Osteoarthritis Symptoms?

Exercise is an excellent therapy for most people with OA. Exercise increases your endurance, muscle strength, and range of motion, and decreases your joint pain. Additionally, it lowers your weight and decreases your risk for...

Can Losing Weight Improve My Osteoarthritis Symptoms?

Obesity is a risk factor for OA. It causes increased force across weight-bearing joints, which can contribute to cartilage breakdown and, therefore, to OA. As compared to non-obese people, obese individuals are more likely to...

Can A Change In Diet Improve Or Reverse Osteoarthritis?

Many claims are made that changes in diet can prevent, improve, or reverse the symptoms of OA. These diets suggest eliminating your consumption of red meats, “acidic” foods (such as tomatoes and peppers), fatty foods...

What Are Some Medical Treatments For Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Although it cannot be cured, its symptoms—such as pain, stiffness, and swelling—can usually be managed effectively. Doctors try to achieve this goal with the least amount of...

Is It Important To Learn More About My Osteoarthritis?

While you don't have to get a medical degree, learning more about your own disease will help you better understand why your doctor recommends certain treatments and asks you to avoid others. In addition, knowing...

Does My Doctor Need To Do X-rays To Diagnose Osteoarthritis?

When a person presents to a physician with complaints of joint pain and swelling, the doctor understands that numerous conditions could cause these symptoms. The history you provide and the results of your physical exam...

Are Bumps On The Fingers A Sign Of Osteoarthritis?

People with OA can develop swelling and redness around the joints of their fingers. Bumps around the farthest joints in your fingers (the ones farthest from your wrist) are called Heberden's nodes. They are typically...

How Does A Doctor Make The Diagnosis Of Osteoarthritis?

Your doctor makes the diagnosis of OA on the basis of your history and the results of your physical examination. People with OA usually complain of pain, stiffness, or joint swelling, or some combination of...

What Are The Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis?

OA is principally a disease of the joints. As a consequence, its symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints. The pain associated with OA usually has an insidious onset, is generally described as...