Osteoarthritis: new light shed on how painful joint wear and tear develops
Source: Science Daily
The cause of osteoarthritis — other than known risk factors such as age or earlier injury — is not yet known. The researchers at the MedUni Vienna have discovered, however, that certain proteins known as lectins, and in particular galectins, have a role to play in the painful wear and tear of the joints.
These new findings, according to the vision of the MedUni Vienna researchers, could lead to galectins in future being used both in the treatment and, as bio-markers, in the disease prediction of osteoarthritis.
17 Ways to fight osteoporosis
Source: Health.com
Most people know calcium strengthens bones. But there are more than a dozen other ways to fight osteoporosis, the silent, bone-thinning condition that can lead to fractures, back and neck pain, and a loss of up to 6 inches of height over time.
Taking preventive measures is key, as many people with osteoporosis will get bone fractures before they even know they have the disease.
Shoulder complaint linked to diabetes diagnosis
Source: News Medical
Study findings confirm suspicions that patients with diabetes have an increased risk for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (ACS).
Using insurance claims data for 96% of the Taiwanese population between 2000 and 2003, the researchers compared the incidence of ACS in 78,827 patients with at least ambulatory visits for diabetes and 236,481 age- and gender-matched individuals without diabetes.
After a median of 31.87 months of follow-up, 1.20% of diabetes patients and 0.95% of controls were diagnosed with ACS, at rates of 4.92 and 3.67 cases per 1000 person-years, respectively, say Shin-Liang Pan (National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei) and co-workers.
Bursitis flare ups can be painful
Source: Daily News
Today’s column will focus on bursitis. It is not the condition that someone laughingly told me that was something that occurred here every year in January when the temperatures dip below zero. Rather it is an inflammatory condition of one or more of the 150 bursae in the body.
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts to reduce friction between the bone and a gliding tendon. This bursa helps the tendon by a joint move more efficiently by acting as a cushion. The most common bursae that are irritated and inflamed are the ones involving the elbows, the lateral aspect of the hips, and the anterior aspect of the knees. The bursal sac becomes inflamed or irritated in many different ways. It can become inflamed with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Repetitive injuries, such as kneeling, also known as housemaid’s knee, can often cause inflammation of the bursa. Trauma can also cause the bursae to become enlarged, swollen, red, and painful. Finally, infection can also cause bursal swelling and pain as well.
Female Athletes Three Times More Likely to Suffer from Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures
Source: Science Daily
Female athletes are three times more likely to suffer from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, one of the most common knee injuries, compared to male athletes. The ACL is one of the four main ligaments within the knee that connect the femur (upper leg bone) to the tibia (lower leg bone). Recent research highlights the unique anatomical differences in the female knee that may contribute to higher injury rates, and should be taken into consideration during reconstructive surgery and sports training, according to a review article in the January 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS).
Go Ahead and Jump: Learning How to Properly Jump and Land Can Help Female Athletes Avoid Serious Knee Injuries
Source: Science Daily
Female athletes tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) six to eight times more than male athletes who play the same sport. A leading sports medicine surgeon believes incorporating a jumping and landing program into a regular training regimen can help keep women on the field and out of the operating room.
McCulloch says many women land with their knees straight and their kneecaps pointing inward and this puts an incredible amount of stress on the ACL, while men tend to land with their feet further apart with more bend in the knees. He believes a jumping/landing program involving plyometric exercises can help women train their muscles to develop a “muscle memory” that will alert their hamstrings to fire off at the right time and help them land with a bend in their knees.
Stop elbow pain before it’s chronic
Source: The Province
One body part where there are a number of common issues is the elbow joint. Terms like tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow get thrown around regularly when people have pain in their elbows.
Related conditions, like carpal tunnel syndrome, also involve the elbow joint and muscles of the forearm. One of the problems with elbow injuries is that this area is constantly in use. People with elbow pain commonly list simple activities like typing, driving, writing, shaking hands or turning doorknobs as movements that aggravate their condition.
Tennis Elbow – What is Tennis Elbow?
Source: News medical
Tennis elbow is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is commonly associated with playing tennis and other racquet sports, though the injury can happen to almost anybody.
The condition is also known as lateral epicondylitis (“inflammation of the outside elbow bone”), a misnomer as histologic studies have shown no inflammatory process. Other descriptions for tennis elbow are lateral epicondylosis, lateral epicondylalgia, or simply lateral elbow pain.
Embracing the brace
Source: Daily Rx
Knees are only meant to bend forward and backward. If a knee pops and locks up with major pain, something serious is going on there, and it’s most likely an ACL injury.
The injuries often need surgery to reconstruct the ligament, followed by therapy to help rehabilitate the knee.
It does not lower pain, protect from reinjuring the knee or improve the stability of the knee. Rather, braces add an unnecessary expense to the recovery. Vitamins and other supplements also don’t help in the healing process.
Beginning physical therapy shortly after surgery, ideally within a few days after, can bring great outcomes for patients.
More magnesium, less arthritis
Source: Daily Rx
What you put in your body can affect your risk of disease, even your risk of osteoarthritis. If you’re trying to prevent this “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis, you may want to eat more almonds and spinach.
Eating more magnesium – a mineral found in many green vegetables, beans and nuts – it may lower the risk of knee osteoarthritis.
