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68 Results for search "Arthritis: Misc.".

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Calcium Crystals in Knee Could Be Worsening Arthritis

Once considered harmless by doctors, calcium crystal deposits in the knee joint actually can contribute to worsening arthritis, a new study warns.

CT scans have revealed that calcium crystals in the knee can promote joint damage, wearing away the cartilage that keeps bones from rubbing together, researchers reported recently in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 1, 2024
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  • Gradual Weight Loss Using Meds Helps Folks With Arthritis Live Longer

    Using a weight-loss medication to help you shed pounds gradually appears to help extend life for people with arthritis of the hips or knees, a new study finds.

    However, folks with arthritis who dropped pounds very quickly showed no benefit in terms of survival, and even a slight uptick in their risk for heart disease, a team of American and Chinese researchers found.

    The study's tak...

    Nonsurgical Treatment Works Well for Arthritic Thumbs

    Patients with osteoarthritis in their thumbs can get good long-term outcomes with orthotics and exercise therapy, and avoid surgery at the same time, new research shows.

    "Our findings support nonsurgical treatment as the first treatment choice and suggest that treatment effects are sustainable" in patients with problems in the thumb carpometacarpal joint, said study author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 7, 2023
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  • Study Confirms Effectiveness of Newer Arthritis Meds

    Newer oral medications for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do work quite well in the "real world," despite some doubts that they would, according to a new study.

    The study, of 622 adults with RA, found that most were doing well on medications called JAK inhibitors, a relatively new drug class for the arthritic condition. They are taken by mouth, unlike many other RA drugs, which are given by in...

    1 in 5 U.S. Adults Now Has Arthritis

    Arthritis is becoming a disease of the masses, striking 21% of U.S. adults, or over 53 million people, a new report shows.

    “It's important first to point out that arthritis is a general term that includes over a hundred different chronic diseases that affect the joints and the tissues around those joints,” said researcher

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 17, 2023
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  • Using Meds to Manage Your Arthritis Pain: An Overview

    Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis, and many reach for medication to ease their joint pain and inflammation.

    The options might seem overwhelming, though. Here, the Arthritis Foundation offers some suggestions for meds that can be purchased at a local drug store or filled with a doctor's prescription, whether your pain is caused by normal wear and tear (osteoarthritis) or inflamma...

    Psoriatic Arthritis: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

    Most people have heard of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. But for some, psoriatic arthritis is the new kid on the block. Here's what you need to know about psoriatic arthritis, including symptoms, types and treatments.

    What is psoriatic arthritis?

    Psoriatic arthritis (...

    Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Arthritis?

    Have you heard the old wives' tale that knuckle cracking will enlarge your knuckles? What about the one that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis?

    There are many beliefs about this common behavior, but it's time to debunk the myths about knuckle cracking.

    Why do people crack their knuckles?

  • Mandi Harenberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 20, 2023
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  • The Most Common Arthritis Symptoms You Should Know

    Most people think of joint pain when they think of arthritis but, depending on the type of arthritis, other symptoms can crop up.

    Here's how to spot some of the most common signs of different types of arthritis.

    Arthritis can cause painful symptoms that make daily activities challenging, according to the Nat...

    What Are the Major Types of Arthritis?

    Arthritis strikes millions of Americans, leaving them with aching, inflamed joints that make it hard to move around without pain.

    It is the leading cause of disability and most common in women, but is it the same for everyone?

    Absolutely not. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis and they aren't all treated the same, according to the

  • Sue Benzuly, RN HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 17, 2023
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  • Having Asthma, Eczema Might Raise Arthritis Risk

    If you're one of the millions of people with allergic asthma or eczema, you may be more likely to develop the wear-and-tear form of arthritis as you age.

    This is the main finding from a new study that examined the risk of developing osteoarthritis among people with the two allerg...

    Does Running Bring on Arthritic Knees?

    New research offers up some good news for diehard marathon runners: You don't necessarily have to give up running if you are experiencing hip or knee pain.

    Contrary to widespread opinion, running marathons does not increase your risk for developing hip or knee osteoarthritis, the wear and tear form of the disease, a new study of seasoned Chicago marathoners showed.

    “You don't deve...

    Weather and Arthritis: Is There Really a Connection?

    It's long been conventional wisdom that weather makes arthritis pain worse.

    The issue has been studied through the years, with conflicting findings. But three recent studies found weather does have some impact, said Dr. Robert Shmerling, writing for the Harvard Heal...

    Injections of Your Own Fat Could Help Arthritic Hands

    Liposuction typically is used to flatten your stomach or shape up your booty, but a new study argues that it could also help people suffering from arthritis of the fingers.

    Injections of body fat into aching, arthritic finger joints appear to produce significant and lasting improvements in hand function and a decrease in pain, German researchers report in the May issue of the journal

    People Are Now Living More Years in Good Health: Study

    Older adults may not only be living longer, but better as well, according to a new U.K. study.

    Researchers found that since the 1990s, British adults age 65 and up have been enjoying more years living independently, free of disability.

    That's despite the fact that many chroni...

    Menopause May Mean More Sleep Apnea and  Painful Joints

    Sleep apnea may be linked with joint pain and fatigue in postmenopausal women, a new study suggests.

    "This study highlights an opportunity to increase identification of women with OSA [obstructive sleep apnea], which is underdiagnosed in women who often present with vague symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue and morning h...

    Rehab or Steroid Shots: What's Best for Arthritic Knees?

    Physical therapy for knee arthritis tends to cost patients more out-of-pocket and involves a lot more hassle than a quick steroid shot to soothe an aching joint.

    But in the long run, physical therapy is at least as cost-effective as steroid injections and is more likely to provide longer-term relief, a new study concludes.

    "Even though maybe the initial costs of physical therapy are...

    Newer Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Might Raise Heart, Cancer Risks

    Finding the right medication for rheumatoid arthritis isn't easy, and a newer pill against the disease carries higher risks of heart attack, stroke and cancer than older RA drugs, a new clinical trial confirms.

    The study was mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after earlier safety signals about the drug, called tofacitinib (Xeljanz).

    In response to the findings, p...

    Arthritis & the COVID Vaccine: What You Need to Know

    Some arthritis drugs may reduce the effectiveness of COVID vaccines, according to the Arthritis Foundation, which also offers advice on booster shots.

    Research is limited, but evidence suggests that disease-modifying

  • Robert Preidt
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  • January 21, 2022
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  • FDA Approves Monoclonal Antibody to Treat Arthritis in Cats

    Arthritis can keep a cat from doing many of the things that kitties love to do. But now there's hope: The first treatment to ease arthritis pain in cats has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Solensia (frunevetmab injection) is the first monoclonal antibody drug approved by the FDA for use in any animal species. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein.

    The ac...

    Four Factors in Midlife Predict a Healthy Old Age for Women

    Examining a woman's health in midlife can predict her health decades later, researchers say.

    Four specific factors -- higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, arthritis and depressive symptoms -- at age 55 are associated with clinically important declines in physical health 10 years later, a new study reports.

    "Age 55 to 65 may be a critical decade," said study co-author Dr. Daniel So...

    Are Cortisone Injections Good or Bad for Arthritic Knees?

    Cortisone injections have gotten a bad rap in recent years as a treatment for arthritis pain, because steroids are known to damage cartilage and could potentially cause the joint to further deteriorate.

    But a new study suggests that if used wisely, cortisone shots are as safe as another type of injection used to treat

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 21, 2021
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  • Many Home Health Care Workers in Poor Health Themselves

    They take care of others, but many U.S. home health care workers say they're not in good shape themselves, a new study finds.

    Researchers analyzed self-reported data collected from nearly 3,000 home health care workers in 38 states between 2014 and 2018 and found that more than a quarter rated their general health as fair or poor, 1 in 5 reported poor mental health, and 14% reported poor ...

    Jog on: Exercise Won't Raise Your Odds for Arthritic Knees

    Dr. Kim Huffman, an avid runner, gets a fair amount of guff from friends about the impact that her favorite exercise has on her body.

    "People all the time tell me, 'Oh, you wait until you're 60. Your knees are going to hate you for it'," Huffman said. "And I'm like, 'That's ridiculous'."

    Next time the topic comes up, Huffman is well-armed: An extensive British analysis of prior stud...

    One-Third of Americans With Arthritis Get No Exercise

    Many American arthritis sufferers aren't getting any exercise despite its benefits for reducing pain and improving their quality of life, new research shows.

    Sixty-seven percent of U.S. adults with arthritis engaged in physical activity in the past month, most often walking, according to a new data analysis ...

    Could Nose Cartilage Help Repair Worn-Out Knees?

    When people have knee arthritis, cartilage cushioning the joint progressively breaks down. Now an early study hints at a possible solution: replacing it with cartilage from the nose.

    Researchers tested the approach in just two patients with knee arthritis, and said much work lies ahead.

    But the initial findings, published Sept. 1 in

  • Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 2, 2021
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  • Many U.S. Seniors May Need Better Knee Arthritis Care

    Just a fraction of older Americans with arthritic knees try physical therapy, pain-relieving injections or other more conservative measures before undergoing knee replacement surgery, new research shows.

    And this may be driven by what type of doctor they see to treat their achy knees, as well as where they live, the study findings suggest.

    Knee osteoarthritis occurs when the cartila...

    What Surgery Works Best for Advanced Ankle Arthritis?

    For patients with severe ankle arthritis, total ankle replacement provides better function over the long haul than the traditional surgical treatment, a new study finds.

    Researchers assessed outcomes in 517 patients with end-stage ankle arthritis - meaning they have a complete loss of cartilage resulting in "bone-on-bone" contact in the ankle joint. The result is pain and stiffness.

    Beta-Blocker Heart Meds Might Lower Arthritis Risk

    Commonly used beta blocker heart medicine may also reduce the risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis and pain, a new study suggests.

    "Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects 15% of the general population," said study co-authors Georgina Nakafero and Abhishek Abhishek, from the University of Nottingham in England.

    In a joint statement to Healio Rheumatology

    A Noninvasive Alternative for Painful Arthritic Knees

    For those who suffer painful arthritis in their aging knees, new research suggests a noninvasive treatment might deliver lasting relief.

    Called genicular artery embolization, the roughly two-hour catheter treatment involves a once-and-done injection of tiny hydrogel particles into arterial pathways in the knee joint. The goal: To decrease overall blood flow in the joint, and thereby marke...

    Knee Procedure Done Earlier Might Prevent Knee Replacement Later

    For some patients suffering from knee arthritis, a special procedure may reduce the need for a total knee replacement, Canadian researchers say.

    By getting what is known as a 'high tibial osteotomy,' younger patients with less severe joint damage who are physically active might be able to delay the need for a knee replacement by 10 years or more, though they may have to search for a doct...

    What Shoes Work Best With Arthritic Knees?

    Lots of Americans suffer from painful arthritic knees, but a new study finds that wearing the right type of shoe may help ease discomfort.

    Patients with knee arthritis will achieve greater pain relief by opting for sturdy and supportive shoes rather than flat flexible footwear, researchers in Australia found.

    "A 'sturdy supportive shoe' is a shoe that gives stability to the foot, vi...

    'Stepped' Approach to Exercise Can Help With Arthritic Knees

    Millions of Americans suffer from the pain of arthritic knees. But an innovative exercise regimen may help relieve discomfort and improve knee function, a new study finds.

    The program is called STEP-KOA (short for stepped exercise program for patients with knee osteoarthritis). It starts with gentle exercises at home and, if needed, moves to phone consultation and in-person physical thera...

    How to Talk to Your Doctor About Arthritis Pain

    Chronic pain can be excruciating, debilitating and hard to describe.

    Yet the best way to get the right treatment for the exact pain you're experiencing is to put those symptoms into words, so your doctor can pinpoint a diagnosis and help you find relief.

    The Arthritis Foundation created a guide with suggestions for communicating your discomfort. Included are questions ranging from, ...

    Body Temperature Higher in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Rheumatoid arthritis patients who are in remission have significantly higher body temperatures than people without the joint disease, new research shows.

    The study included 32 rheumatoid arthritis patients who were in remission and a healthy "control" group of 51 people without rheumatoid arthritis, who all had thermal scans of different areas of their feet.

    "These tests demonstrate...

    A 'Stunning' Alternative Rx for Arthritic Joints?

    A procedure that "stuns" pain-sensing nerves might offer relief to people with severe arthritis of the hip or shoulder, a small, preliminary study suggests.

    The procedure is a form of radiofrequency ablation, where doctors use needles to send a low-grade electrical current to nerves that are transmitting pain signals from the arthritic joint to the brain. The current heats and damages the...

    Overweight With Arthritic Knees? You Might Want to Avoid Tennis

    Stay off the court: For overweight people with arthritic knees, racket sports like tennis and racquetball may accelerate degeneration of the joints, a new study finds.

    Exercise can benefit overweight people, but the wrong type might damage knees and lead to the need for knee replacement surgery, the researchers said.

    "Fast-paced and high shear load physical activities, such as rack...

    AHA News: Black, Hispanic People Hospitalized for COVID-19 at Disproportionately High Rates

    Black and Hispanic people made up nearly 60% of COVID-19 hospitalizations in a new study, a disproportionate number that researchers attribute to societal structures reinforcing health disparities among racial and ethnic groups.

    The study looked at data from 7,868 people hospitalized for COVID-19 between Jan. 17 and July 22 at 88 U.S. hospitals taking part in the American Heart Associatio...

    Knee or Hip Replacements Cut People's Risk for Falls: Study

    People who have total joint replacement, or total joint arthroplasty (TJA), experience fewer falls than those who don't undergo the surgery, a new study finds.

    "Osteoarthritis (OA) is the degeneration of the cartilage in our joints over the years," said lead author Dr. Ran Schwarzkopf, an orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health in New York City. "As the wear and tear increases, pati...

    1 in 3 Americans With Arthritis Say Pain, Symptoms Persist

    About 30 million U.S. adults live with osteoarthritis and the pain and stiffness it causes, a new survey finds.

    And nearly one-third of these people said their symptoms are not well-managed, according to the Arthritis Foundation survey of almost 2,000 adults. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage cushioning the joints gradually wears down, leading to swelling, and limiting a person's abili...

    Newer Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug May Help Ease Tough-to-Treat Cases

    A recently approved rheumatoid arthritis medication appears to be an effective second-line therapy when biologic treatments start to fail, a new clinical trial reports.

    Arthritis sufferers treated with upadacitinib had a significantly greater reduction in their symptoms and disease activity than people treated with a standard disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), said co-resea...

    Kids Who Need Steroids Face Risk of Diabetes, Other Ills

    Children who need to take oral steroids for chronic or life-threatening conditions can experience serious side effects, according to new research.

    Children with autoimmune disorders such as juvenile arthritis, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease are often prescribed a steroid to keep the illness under control.

    But the odds that a child might develop diabetes was nearly s...

    Is Arthritis Pain Relief as Close as Your Spice Rack?

    It's a must for any good curry, and a new clinical trial suggests that turmeric might ease arthritis pain, too.

    Researchers found that an extract of the spice turmeric worked better than a placebo in easing pain from knee arthritis over three months. The treatment was not a home run -- but the pain relief was a bit better than past studies have found with standard medication.

    <...

    Early Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis May Thwart Heart Disease

    Starting drug treatment early in rheumatoid arthritis patients may reduce their risk of heart disease, a new study suggests.

    Rheumatoid arthritis at least doubles the risk of heart disease due to its links with atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries), heart failure and stroke.

    The new U.K. study found a link between early rheumatoid arthritis treatment and improveme...

    COVID-19 Ills No Greater for Those With Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis

    People with lupus aren't at increased risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 due to steroidal medications they take to reduce immune system activity, a new study finds.

    And a related study found that people with inflammatory forms of arthritis -- such as rheumatoid arthritis -- aren't more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people without arthritis.

    Both studies wer...

    Most Knee Cracking Is Normal, Expert Says

    If your knees crack when you walk or run, don't be too worried, an expert says.

    "Knee cracking could mean lots of things," said Harshvardhan Singh, assistant professor in the department of physical therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "If it is painful, then you should see a health care provider."

    The cause can be a large kneecap that doesn't fit well into t...

    Could the First Drug That Slows Arthritis Be Here?

    There are currently no medications that can slow down the common form of arthritis that strikes aging knees and hips. But a new study suggests a powerful, and expensive, anti-inflammatory drug could potentially do just that.

    The drug, called canakinumab (Ilaris), is used for certain rare rheumatic conditions marked by widespread inflammation. They include juvenile idiopathic arthritis...

    What Jobs Are Toughest on the Knees?

    Joint replacements for knee osteoarthritis are becoming more common, and now researchers have identified jobs that may lead to one.

    Based on a review of 71 studies that included nearly one million workers, the riskiest occupations include agriculture, construction, mining, service jobs and housekeeping. And jobs that demand excessive kneeling, squatting, standing, lifting and climbin...

    In Many Cases, Hip Replacement Also Eases Back Pain

    If you have a bad hip and lower back pain, a new study suggests that hip replacement surgery may solve both issues at once.

    Researchers at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City focused on 500 patients who underwent hip replacement surgery and followed up with them one year after the operation.

    Over 40% reported pain in their lower back prior to hip surgery. ...

    More Patients Turning to Medical Marijuana for Arthritis Pain

    Lots of people are using medical marijuana to treat their arthritis and other muscle aches and pains, often without consulting their doctor, a new study reports.

    As many as 1 in 5 patients who consult an orthopedic surgeon for chronic musculoskeletal pain are using a cannabis product to treat them, Canadian researchers found.

    "We found 20% had reported past or current use of...