How brushing your teeth could reduce your risk of developing arthritis

From dailymail.co.uk

Brushing your teeth could reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a study has suggested.

Scientists have pinpointed a bacteria, often found in the mouth, which may trigger the painful joint condition.

A study by the University of Leeds found that people who developed arthritis were more likely to have high levels of this bacteria in their gut in the months leading up to diagnosis.

Experts say the findings could help doctors prevent arthritis from occurring in the first place. This might involve prescribing thorough tooth-brushing or a probiotic – a daily tablet containing 'good' bacteria.

Affecting more than half a million people in the UK, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints because the immune system is mistakenly attacking the body's healthy cells.

While there are a number of effective treatments to manage the symptoms of arthritis, there is no cure.

In the study researchers followed 19 patients who were deemed to have a high-risk of developing the condition.

Only five received a diagnosis during the study, but those who did develop the condition were significantly more likely to have substantial levels of prevotella in their gut – a bacteria which is usually found in the mouth.

Research suggests that many cases of arthritis are due to a 'leaky gut' theory, where harmful bacteria leaves the stomach and enters the bloodstream, setting off the immune system.

Experts will now explore ways to lower the amount of prevotella in these at-risk patients. Solutions include eating a high-fibre diet, which research suggests reduces levels of the bacteria.

'As there is no known cure, at-risk patients often feel a sense of hopelessness, or even avoid getting tested,' says Dr Christopher Rooney, lead researcher on the study at the University of Leeds. 'This new research might give us a major opportunity to act sooner to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14091923/brushing-teeth-reduce-risk-rheumatoid-arthritis.html 

Exploring the Benefits of Sauna Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

From creakyjoints.org

"The sauna has been one of the biggest interventions in my rheumatoid arthritis self-care management plan"

At this year’s American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence, Eileen Davidson shared her inspiring patient perspective on how sauna therapy has become a cornerstone of her self-management strategy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  

When Eileen Davidson was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2015, she began a journey to find ways to manage her symptoms and improve her quality of life. Over the years, she’s explored various treatments, therapies, and lifestyle adjustments. One of her most impactful discoveries? The soothing power of the sauna. 

The Sauna’s Role in RA Management

Over the years, Eileen has found that time in the sauna not only eases her RA symptoms but also boosts her overall well-being.  

“The sauna has been one of the biggest interventions in my rheumatoid arthritis self-care management plan,” she explains. This non-pharmacological approach has become especially helpful in managing the muscle pain, stiffness, and chronic fatigue that often accompany RA flares. 

The sauna has also helped motivate Eileen to be more active. After periods of reduced activity due to RA flares, returning to exercise can be a daunting challenge. Regular sauna sessions make this transition smoother by alleviating her pain and improving joint mobility.  

Beyond Symptom Management

For Eileen, the sauna offers benefits beyond physical symptom relief. It has had a positive effect on her mental health, offering a much-needed escape during challenging times and even helping to alleviate symptoms of depression.

Sauna therapy has also played a role in managing the chronic fatigue and poor sleep that are often part of living with RA. Living in Canada, where harsh winters can intensify joint pain and fatigue, the sauna provides a welcome respite from the cold. Eileen also credits it with helping her ward off infections, which is especially important since she is immunocompromised. 

The sauna has provided Eileen with numerous benefits, including: 

• Relieving muscle pain 
• Making regular exercise more manageable 
• Improving sleep quality 
• Managing chronic fatigue 
• Providing mental and emotional benefits 

A Call for Integrative Approaches

Eileen’s experience with the sauna has shown her that effective RA management can include complementary approaches alongside medication. “It’s important for clinicians and patients to think outside of the medication box,” she says. “What can patients do every day that will benefit them? For me, it’s the sauna.” 

Eileen hopes that others will find similar benefits from incorporating sauna therapy into their routines, and she advocates for greater support, including insurance coverage, for non-pharmacological treatments. 

“The sauna is a healthy and relaxing daily activity for those living with rheumatoid arthritis,” adds Eileen, underscoring her belief that integrative care approaches can be life-changing for people with chronic conditions like RA. 

A Holistic Approach to RA Management

Eileen’s poster shares a fresh, patient-centred approach to managing RA: sauna therapy. She highlights how it helps relieve muscle pain, makes exercise easier, improves sleep, and eases chronic fatigue. Beyond the physical benefits, sauna therapy has become a key part of her self-care, offering mental, emotional, and social support. 

At ACR 2024, Eileen hopes her story inspires others with RA to explore creative ways to enhance their quality of life while managing their condition. 

https://creakyjoints.org/acr-2024/sauna-therapy-for-rheumatoidarthritis/ 

Are Creaky Knees a Sign of Arthritis Risk?

From bicycling.com/health-nutrition

A new study looks into whether all that crackling and grinding should be a wake-up call for your joint health 

• A new meta-analysis of research looked at whether there was a link between creaky knees and osteoarthritis (OA) risk.
• Researchers found that although the majority of individuals with OA also have creaky knees, creaky knees doesn’t necessarily mean you will get arthritis.
• Experts suggest ways to lower risk of OA and protect your knees.

Maybe you notice the noises first thing in the morning when your joints are still stiff, or they could come up after you’ve been cycling for a while. It’s that crackling, grinding, and popping in your knees that isn’t painful, but seems excessive. Is there a chance this is an early sign of arthritis developing?

While creaky knees—known as knee crepitus—may be part of osteoarthritis (OA) for some, the good news is that it seems to be harmless for many people, according to a research review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Researchers looked at 103 studies involving more than 36,000 participants and found that creaky knees is seen most in those with OA—81 percent of participants with OA had knee crepitus—but it’s also seen in those without that condition. Prevalence of knee crepitus in the general, non-OA population is about 41 percent, according to the meta-analysis.

“It was previously thought that creaky knees were a sign of injury or damage to the knee joint, but we found that knee crepitus is really common in those with and without a knee injury,” said lead researcher Jamon Couch, Ph.D.(c) at the Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University in Vancouver, Canada. “In fact, over one-third of people who have never had a knee injury in their life can experience this.”

Concern about joint issues is also common when you hear that crackling, popping, or grinding when squatting or going up or down stairs, Jamon told Bicycling. Unfortunately, when that happens, it can lead to reductions in physical activity.

“People with creaky knees often feel there are more serious underlying health issues like arthritis, causing them to be fearful of exercising and using their knees,” he said. “While we did discover a link between knee crepitus and features of osteoarthritis on medical imaging scans, people generally shouldn’t be concerned about knee crepitus unless it’s accompanied by painful movement. If there’s no pain, it’s likely not doing any damage.”

                                                                                                                                                     Trevor Raab

In terms of what causes creaky knees, that’s still unknown even though the topic has been explored for well over a century, according to Couch—research on the topic is seen in medical journal as far back as 1885, he added. One prominent theory is that the sounds arise when cartilage rubs against the joint surface or other soft tissues within the knee. Another posits that crepitus can be prompted by air bubbles that build up in the joint and pop when there’s movement, similar to cracking your knuckles.

Although creaky knees without pain may not indicate an immediate concern, it can be helpful to focus on exercise that improves overall knee health if you have risk factors for OA, Couch said. These risk factors include previous knee injuries, excess weight, a family history of OA, smoking, and being an older adult—arthritis risk increases with age.

Exercises utilized for reducing the effects of OA (whether you have the condition or not) are a good starting point. For that, the National Library of Medicine suggests strength and mobility exercises done two to three times a week for about 45 minutes per session, incorporating moves like step-ups, one-leg balancing, and squats. Endurance sports like cycling are also beneficial for improving lower-body strength without overtaxing the knee joints, the organization added.

Activities like these increase blood flow to the knees and other joints, and allow joint fluid to enter the cartilage in the joint more effectively. The National Library of Medicine noted that this can strengthen the muscles around the joints, increase joint stability, and improve flexibility overall.

You may still have creaky knees even with regular, focused exercise—but you’ll be lowering the risk of all that crackling and grinding turning into an OA alarm bell.

https://www.bicycling.com/health-nutrition/a62884186/creaky-knees-arthritis-risk-study/

Dog Walking Helps Arthritic Joints

From arthritis.org/health-wellness

Daily walks keep best furry buddy happy — and your joints, too 

Any dog owner knows that take-me-for-a-walk look: puppy eyes pleading, head tilting, an “oh, please” woof and tail thumping. You probably think you’re doing Fido a favour when you give in and take him for a stroll. Turns out, he may be doing you the favour. Walking has many benefits for people living with arthritis.

Eager canine companions virtually guarantee that their humans walk daily, even when you’re tempted to stay home because of flares, lousy weather or plain old laziness. Walking a dog doesn’t require extra expense, special clothes or going to a gym, and dogs aren’t interested in breaking the routine by taking a day off or going on vacation. Consistency, such as sticking to daily walks, is key when it comes to gaining the benefits of exercise.

Research has shown that people who have dogs tend to be more physically active than those who don’t. Numerous studies have shown benefits of increased physical activity from dog walking, from potentially reducing anxiety to easing the impacts of COPD to an association with lower rates of cardiovascular disease. One small study found that people who had a dog walked more often and lost as much as 14 pounds in a year. That is particularly good news for people with arthritis, because research also has shown that for every one pound lost reduces pressure on weight-bearing joints by four pounds. 

When it comes to selecting a furry friend, you may want to avoid very large or active breeds unless they are properly trained not to pull, jump or otherwise put your joints at risk. Consider adopting a calm, middle-aged or senior dog from a shelter, where staff have already vetted its temperament. And look for leashes and other devices that help deter your pup from pulling or lunging.

https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/physical-activity/walking/walking-a-dog-benefits-joints

Can Vitamin D Help With Psoriatic Arthritis? Here’s What Experts Say

From healthcentral.com 

Research has found people with psoriatic arthritis tend to be low in this essential vitamin—but the jury is out on whether a supplement can help

Psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune disease fuelled by out-of-control inflammation, can cause symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and swelling from head to toe, so it's no surprise that people might be looking for ways to get relief. And one option that has gotten some attention is vitamin D, which some consider to be one of the best supplements for psoriatic arthritis.

But in reality, the relationship between psoriatic arthritis and vitamin D is—as with a lot of supplements —a tricky one to figure out, since the science behind it is still unclear. What might be driving the correlation? Vitamin D is one of the most promising vitamins for psoriasis (a related but still separate condition that appears on the skin), so there’s reason to be optimistic. So, do psoriatic arthritis supplements like vitamin D merit a spot in your medicine cabinet? Here’s what the experts say.

The Relationship Between Vitamin D and Psoriatic Arthritis

The connection between vitamin D and psoriatic arthritis is more complicated than it seems. Vitamin D, for reference, benefits your body on several fronts. “It’s important for bone health and has roles in the immune system and in maintaining skin health,” says S. Louis Bridges, Jr., M.D., a rheumatologist and physician-in-chief and chair of the Department of Medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Research has found that vitamin D deficiency was especially common among people with PsA—and that the lower their vitamin D levels were, the more disease activity, indicated by a higher DAPSA (Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis) score, they experienced. DAPSA is a measurement of PsA severity that takes into account the joints affected, pain levels, and levels of C-reactive protein, which is an inflammation marker.

But it’s unclear whether low vitamin D levels are the cause or the result of inflammation, according to Dr. Bridges. “When there is inflammation, serum levels of vitamin D decrease,” says Dr. Bridges. “Low levels of vitamin D are associated with a variety of inflammatory states.” In other words, it’s like which came first—low vitamin D, which contributes to the uptick in inflammation and DAPSA, or the inflammation, which stifles the levels of vitamin D? It’s hard to say.

Should You Take Vitamin D to Treat Your Psoriatic Arthritis?

Taking vitamin D could be helpful if you have psoriasis alongside your PsA. “Oral vitamin D supplementation may have some benefits in psoriasis,” says Dr. Bridges, though he notes that most research focuses on the efficacy of topical creams applied to plaques (versus oral supplements). “They work by slowing down the rapid skin cell turnover associated with psoriasis and have immunomodulatory effects.”

As for psoriatic arthritis, vitamin D may help ease symptoms—in theory. But “there are no studies that definitively show this, and much more work is needed,” says Dr. Bridges. “We also need studies to understand the role of vitamin D in the development and treatment of PsA, and the differences in vitamin D metabolism between patients with PsA compared to psoriasis without arthritis.”

What are the Best Sources of Vitamin D?

Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D. “Vitamin D is made or synthesized in the skin from its precursor, a type of cholesterol,” says Shailendra Singh, M.D., a rheumatologist at White County Medical Center in Searcy, AK. “When you're exposed to the sunlight, that vitamin D precursor is formed in the skin—and once that is formed, that is converted into its active form in the liver and the kidneys.” But if you don’t spend a lot of time outside, then sunlight alone might not be enough to make the amount of vitamin D you need.

If that’s the case, you’ll need to get it from your diet—and, ideally, you should be eating your vitamin D rather than taking it through a supplement, according to Dr. Singh. “There are several foods which are enriched in vitamin D,” he says. “Most of the milk available in the market is enriched with vitamin D, as are yogurt and cheese.” You can also find vitamin D in fatty fish and fish liver oil.

How Much Vitamin D You Need With Psoriatic Arthritis

Besides infants, most people need 15 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D a day, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). (A cup of milk has 2.9 mcg, while three ounces of salmon and trout each have over 14 mcg.) Even if you have psoriatic arthritis, that’s all our experts recommended. “I do not recommend routine vitamin D supplementation to treat psoriatic arthritis,” says Dr. Bridges.

The Risks of Too Much Vitamin D

Because it can increase calcium absorption, taking too much vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia—literally, excessive calcium—which in turn leads to nausea, vomiting, and kidney stones. And while too much vitamin D alone can lead to kidney failure, it's extremely rare, according to the NIH. Really, it only tends to become a problem if you’re taking a lot of different vitamins, according to Dr. Singh. “Overdosing on vitamin D is very, very difficult,” he says.

And, even when you take it in an over-the-counter supplement, “that vitamin D needs to be activated inside the kidneys and in the liver to become active vitamin D—and our body will only produce as much active vitamin D as it needs,” he says. The rest gets excreted out.

Talk With Your Doctor

If you’re curious about supplementing with vitamin D, talk to your doctor—but manage your expectations accordingly. If your doctor checks your vitamin D levels and they’re low, they might recommend a supplement, says Dr. Singh. And if they’re normal, then supplementing with vitamin D won’t add any extra benefit for your psoriatic arthritis. And remember, it’s not a cure-all, and should at most be part of an overarching treatment plan overseen by your doctor.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriatic-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-and-vitamin-d

Hand and wrist arthritis: You have great options for relief

From novanthealth.org 

Charleston orthopaedic surgeon discusses treating the most common form of arthritis

Whether we type for a living or deliver heavy boxes all day, our hands and wrists can take a beating.

More than 50 million people in the U.S. have arthritis, a condition that damages the joints. Its most common form, osteoarthritis, is a chronic and degenerative disease that affects sensitive cartilage where bones connect to form a joint (think the wrist and knuckles).

Dr. Eric Angermeier

“It's a disease that does not discriminate much and affects a broad swath of people,” said orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon Dr. Eric Angermeier, co-founder of the Hand Institute of Charleston - Mount Pleasant. To make an appointment, click here.

Angermeier explains how we come to suffer from arthritis and the treatment options that can bring pain relief.

What is arthritis?

The fundamental common element in all types of arthritis is that the cartilage breaks down. And as that cartilage thins and eventually goes away, what you have are two raw bone ends bumping into each other. That often means a lot of pain.

And, as Angermeier explains, a lot of hand and wrist arthritis is determined by genetics rather than wear and tear. Some people just have joints that wear out faster than others. That said, symptomatic arthritis peaks in our 60s or 70s because people are still active and using their hands a lot and aggravating their arthritis.

And while there is no cure for arthritis, advancing technology is helping surgeons rebuild joints to reduce pain and improve function while also promoting a faster recovery.

Are there certain professions that are more difficult for those affected by arthritis?

It really comes down to genetics in a lot of cases. If you have a direct injury to the cartilage of your joints, that can hasten the wear-and-tear of the cartilage. So, if you're in an occupation like construction, you’re more likely to have injuries to the cartilage that may accumulate over time.

But the flipside of that is you may have been one of these folks who was going to get arthritis anyway. If you’re a heavy manual labourer and happen to have arthritis, you're going to hurt a lot more because you're using your hands for heavier activities.

So it's a chicken-or-the-egg kind of situation. We used to think that heavy manual activities may have caused arthritis, but now we think that people with bad arthritis are probably going to get arthritis anyway, and it's the heavy manual activity that's aggravating it.

There are some outliers. If you’ve run ultra-marathons for many years, you're more likely than the average person to have arthritis and wear out your cartilage over time. But a lot of hand and wrist arthritis is determined by genetics and normal use. This is everyone from folks who enjoy gardening and crocheting all the way up to people working construction.

How can we prevent arthritis?

As we age and our cartilage wears out, the joints tend to get stiffer. One thing you can do to counteract the effect of osteoarthritis is to develop a daily regimen of finger stretching and wrist stretching that will help to maintain your range of motion. Even though the arthritis continues to progress, you'll be more functional.

But as yet, we don't have any known treatments, supplements, stretches, braces or other technologies that slow the progression of arthritis or prevent it. We truly don't have any tools to prevent osteoarthritis. Fortunately, we have many opportunities to treat it or help modify the symptoms of arthritis.

Two of the most common supplements are chondroitin and glucosamine (both found naturally in cartilage). You see both of these advertised a lot for people with arthritis, but there is no quality research that indicates that any supplement, those included, slows or prevents the development of osteoarthritis.

Although chondroitin and glucosamine do not prevent arthritis, there is some limited evidence that they can reduce arthritic pain in some patients and are generally felt to be safe. I just wouldn’t recommend spending a lot on supplements that don’t seem to be helping.

Who is a candidate for hand surgery, and how invasive is it?

You should always pursue non-operative treatment first. Usually, we'll try a steroid injection or two to see if we can get symptoms under control. But when that fails to yield adequate relief of pain and stiffness, the most commonly performed surgery for arthritis in the hand and wrist is a carpometacarpal [CMC] joint arthroplasty. It's essentially a reconstruction of the joint at the base of the thumb.

We've developed a minor outpatient procedure that is done through a single small incision, and we replace the bone-on-bone contact at the arthritic joint with an internal sling made from a tendon. The base of the thumb sits in a hammock-type structure that helps to prevent it from rubbing the arthritic bones.

This can significantly alleviate pain and improve strength and function. It’s one of the most satisfying procedures that we have to offer as hand surgeons because it can restore a tremendous amount of hand function.

The thumb represents about 50% of the overall function of the hand, so if you can get the thumb functioning pain-free and with more strength, that can change the quality of life for the patient.

What are the risks of surgery?

There's a very low risk of complications with this procedure and a very high rate of positive outcomes.

These procedures have become more and more minimally invasive, involving just a single incision at the base of the thumb, which helps speed recovery, causes less pain and lessens the risk of infection.

When should somebody make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon?

If there's anything bothering your hand or your wrist, I'd strongly encourage you to see a hand surgeon. I think the threshold should be pretty low to get things checked out. Hand and wrist arthritis is highly treatable and often with good results. And there are many different options available depending on where the arthritis is, the age of the patient and how active they are.

https://www.novanthealth.org/healthy-headlines/hand-and-wrist-arthritis-you-have-great-options-for-relief

The couples who cope together, stay together

From eurekalert.org

An Australian-first study has lifted the lid on how couples living with rheumatoid arthritis cope with the debilitating disease finding that those who cope with problems together had less psychological distress and better relationships.

The study, published in The Journal of Rheumatology examined dyadic coping - when a couple engages in joint problem solving, joint information gathering, or the sharing of feelings and mutual commitment - from both partners' perspectives using a sample of 163 couples.

“Dyadic coping, the process of coping that transpires between couples challenged by one partner’s illness, is an important predictor of disease adjustment and patient well-being,” says lead author Dr Manasi Murthy Mittinty from the College of Medicine and Public Health.

“Dyadic coping contributes to a sense of togetherness, encouraging couples to develop strategies as a unit to respond to stressful events, and it represents a protective factor for minimising the risk of divorce.

“Working together as a couple is crucial for managing the challenges they face when one partner has an illness, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis.”

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that can cause irreversible tissue damage, progressive deformity and pain. Approximately 18 million people worldwide are living with RA, including nearly 456,000 Australians.

Although management of RA has improved dramatically due to biologics, some patients are still confronted by severe physical pain and stiffness and about 35% of people report experiencing mental and behavioural conditions, such as bipolar disorder, mania and anxiety disorder.

“We found that supportive dyadic coping leads to lower depression, anxiety, and stress for patients, as well as improved relationship quality. In contrast, negative dyadic coping increases psychological distress and reduces relationship quality for both partners,” says Dr Mittinty.

“By examining the interpersonal dynamics of couples grappling with chronic disease, we hope to significantly improve the quality of life for patients living with rheumatoid arthritis and their spouse.”

The study is the first in Australia to report dyadic coping from the perspective of both participants with RA and their spouses.

RA patients and their spouses were invited to participate in an online survey study if they were more than 18 years old and had lived together for more than a year. The survey included the Chronic Pain Grade Scale, Dyadic Coping Inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale.

“The results underscore the interconnected nature of dyadic coping, highlighting the need to consider both viewpoints in understanding its impact on couples.

“For decades, the focus has been limited to reducing patients’ illness-related distress and improving patient outcomes. More recently, scientists have adopted a new approach into understanding how illness in a spouse can affect the couple’s relationship and the other spouse’s well-being.

“Our findings demonstrate the reciprocal nature of dyadic coping that transpires between patients with RA and their spouses and showcases that integrating dyadic coping training in disease management may be a valuable resource for enhanced mental health outcomes and relationship quality of couples,” she adds.

The article, ‘Interpersonal Process of Dyadic Coping in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Perspective From the Australian Rheumatology Association Database’, by Manasi M. Mittinty, Murthy N. Mittinty, Rachelle Buchbinder, Marissa Lassere, Vibhasha Chand, Samuel Whittle, Lyn March and Catherine Hill was published in The Journal of Rheumatology. DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2023-0664

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1062990

A proactive approach to hip pain in younger adults: What is hip arthroscopy?

From uchealth.org

Hip pain in younger adults can be hard to diagnose. If non-surgical options fail, hip arthroscopy may help people return to pain-free activities

Younger adults suffering from certain types of hip pain can get relief, as well as potentially prevent future problems such as hip arthritis, with an outpatient arthroscopy procedure.

Arthroscopy for the hip is the relative new kid on the block compared to similar procedures done on the knee and shoulder. It can relieve pain in adults with certain hip problems who are not responding to nonsurgical procedures.

“The goal of hip arthroscopy is to get you back pain free to the activities you love, and it may postpone having hip arthritis for years or even decades,” said Dr. Jay Thompson, an orthopaedic surgeon in Steamboat Springs and a member of the medical staff at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center.

Hip pain in younger adults can be hard to diagnose. If non-surgical options fail, hip arthroscopy may help people return to pain-free activities. Photo: Getty Images

What is causing your hip pain?

The hip joint is like a basic ball and socket and is one of the largest joints in the human body – it is vital to movement. Pain there can happen for many reasons, such as wear and tear from age, traumatic accidents, genetic conditions and certain repetitive motions or exercises.

The origin of hip pain can be difficult to diagnosis, Thompson said. Patients usually have specific symptoms such as deep hip or groin pain, or pain that comes with squatting, skating or deep inflection motions.

Doctors may diagnose some patients with femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI, which is more commonly known as hip impingement. This occurs when excess bone causes the ball and socket of the hip joint to not fit together properly. Other patients may have a symptomatic hip labral tear, which is when the cartilage that lines and protects the hip socket is damaged.

“Many of us experience hip pain at some time or another, and these more specific conditions can be commonly missed,” said Thompson. “It’s best to see a specialist for evaluation and treatment.”

When is arthroscopy for hip pain in younger adults recommended?

Patients suffering from hip pain are usually referred to physical or occupational therapy for pain management, as well as told to rest and modify the sports or physical activity that they suspect is the source of the pain.

If the condition does not improve, medication or pain injections to relieve inflammation are typically prescribed. Doctors commonly use Injections not only to treat the pain but also to confirm the diagnosis, as hip pain can be originate from various sources.

If those non-surgical options don’t provide relief, hip arthroscopy may be recommended.

“Hip arthroscopy is a good choice for a patient who is in pain from hip impingement or a labral tear,” said Thompson. “Once treated, it can help prevent arthritis in the future.”

What happens during the procedure?

During hip arthroscopy, a patient is placed under anaesthesia. A surgeon makes a small incision in the hip and uses a special device with a small camera to see the joint. Loose or damaged tissue such as the labrum can be removed, repaired or reconstructed, and the bone can be reshaped to within normal tolerances.

The minimally invasive approach means that patients can go home the same day and typically have a quicker recovery time.

“Hip arthroscopy can improve hip pain and can even prevent or postpone a person from getting early onset hip arthritis,” said Thompson. “We can repair the labrum and reshape the bone. It’s not a 100% guarantee, but for patients in their 30s and 40s, it can give them another 10 to 20 years of good hip life.”

https://www.uchealth.org/today/proactive-approach-to-hip-pain-in-younger-adults-what-is-hip-arthroscopy/ 

Some rheumatoid arthritis patients are more vulnerable to pulmonary fibrosis than others

From koreabiomed.com

Some pulmonary fibrosis, the progressive hardening of the lungs that causes breathing difficulties, occurs in relation to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Specific patient groups are at a higher risk of RA-related pulmonary fibrosis, which affects 3-15 percent of all RA patients.

“Rheumatoid arthritis mostly affects middle-aged women. However, suppose RA occurs in men or older adults. In that case, there are problems (due to higher chances of rheumatoid arthritis-related pulmonary fibrosis,” said Professor Kim Hyun-sook of the Department of Rheumatology at Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Seoul on the Korean Blood Disease and Cancer Association's YouTube channel, “KBDCA.”

                                                                                                                            (Credit: Getty Images)

It's unclear why pulmonary fibrosis occurs in around 10 percent of patients with RA, an autoimmune disease. However, it is believed that some autoantibodies that attack the joints also attack the bronchi and alveoli of the lungs, causing inflammation and fibrosis.

In addition to being male and older, there are other characteristics of patients at high risk for RA-related pulmonary fibrosis.

“We test patients with rheumatoid arthritis for rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies, and those with exceptionally high levels of the factor have a high risk of RA-related pulmonary fibrosis,” Professor Kim said. “Anti-CCP antibodies are normal at 5 to 15, but many patients with high levels are more likely to be hit at their lungs.”

Specific gene variants are also associated with the development of RA-related pulmonary fibrosis.

“We've looked at some genetic variants and found that certain genetic variants are associated with an increased risk of pulmonary fibrosis, so it may be important to get screened if you have a family history of the disease,” said Professor Yoon Hee-young of the Department of Respiratory and Allergy Medicine at the same hospital.

People with poorly controlled rheumatoid arthritis are also at higher risk for RA-related pulmonary fibrosis. Besides, there are other cases where the risk of pulmonary fibrosis is increased in people with rheumatoid arthritis regardless of the disease.

“Some patients may develop or worsen pulmonary fibrosis, not necessarily because of RA, but because they are taking medications that can affect the lungs (respiratory toxicants),” Professor Kim said. “Screening, diagnosis, and treatment should be tailored to each individual's risk.”

If diagnosed with RA-related pulmonary fibrosis, there is one thing that all patients should do -- stop smoking.

“Another important risk factor (for RA-related pulmonary fibrosis) is smoking,” Professor Yoon said. “Certainly, it has been reported that patients who smoke have a higher incidence of pulmonary fibrosis. We explain to patients that they should quit smoking if they are diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.”

https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25487

Early rheumatoid arthritis tied to hypertension

From medicalxpress.com/news 

Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a high incidence of prevalent and incident hypertension, according to a study published online in the August issue of Rheumatology: Advances in Practice.

Brook Hadwen, from the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, and colleagues used data from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort to explore the prevalence and incidence of hypertension and baseline factors associated with incident hypertension in early RA (2,052 patients).

The researchers found that the prevalence of hypertension at study enrolment was 26% (23% in women and 34% in men). Prevalent hypertension was associated with older age, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia in both sexes. In women, hypertension was associated with being overweight or with high alcohol consumption.

One quarter (24%) of the RA patients did not have hypertension at enrolment but developed hypertension during the median follow-up period of five years. Incident hypertension was significantly associated with the baseline factors of older age, being overweight, excess alcohol consumption, and having hyperlipidemia. There were no significant associations between RA-associated disease factors and treatments with prevalent or incident hypertension.

"Weight loss and lifestyle modifications such as changes in diet, exercise, and limiting alcohol intake may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and prevent heart disease," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

More information: Brook Hadwen et al, Risk factors for prevalent and incident hypertension in rheumatoid arthritis: data from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort, Rheumatology Advances in Practice (2024). DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkae066

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-early-rheumatoid-arthritis-hypertension.html

Does your body feel tight when you wake up? Learn how to manage morning stiffness with doctor-approved tips

From hindustantimes.com

Do you know morning stiffness can be the first symptom of early arthritis? Here's all you need to know about morning stiffness, its treatment and more

Morning stiffness is common among people with joint conditions. It manifests as difficulty in moving joints upon waking and often lasts for 30 minutes or more, says Dr Abhisar Katiyar, senior consultant and robotic surgeon-orthopaedics and joint replacement, Yatharth Hospitals Greater Noida. This stiffness is typically more pronounced in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, he adds.

More about morning stiffness

Waking up with stiff joints can make simple tasks like getting out of bed or walking a challenge. According to Dr Yash Gulati, senior consultant, orthopaedics, joint replacement and spine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, morning stiffness can be the first symptom of early arthritis. 

"If stiffness wears away rapidly, it could be due to age-related osteoarthritis, and if stiffness continues for a prolonged period throughout the day, it can be a symptom of an inflammatory type of arthritis," he says. Arthritis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

                                          Even some light stretching will help keep your body healthy and fit. (Freepik)

Managing morning stiffness

According to Dr Abhisar Katiyar, management strategies include taking prescribed medications before bedtime, gentle stretching exercises before getting out of bed, and using warm compresses. Patients experiencing persistent morning stiffness should consult expert professionals for further evaluation, he adds.

Dr Yash Gulati suggests keeping the body moving to battle morning stiffness. "Gentle stretching before getting out of bed can help loosen tight muscles and improve joint mobility. Activities like yoga or a short morning walk can also boost circulation, easing stiffness. Applying warmth, such as taking a hot shower or using a heating pad, can soothe sore joints and relax muscles, making movement easier," he says.

"Additionally, staying hydrated throughout the day and eating a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain joint health. For those with arthritis, it may be necessary to consult a doctor to explore treatment options, such as medication or physical therapy. Taking steps to address morning stiffness not only helps with mobility but also sets a positive tone for the day, making it easier to engage in daily activities with less pain and discomfort," Dr Yash Gulati adds.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/does-your-body-feel-tight-when-you-wake-up-learn-how-to-manage-morning-stiffness-with-doctor-approved-tips-101729418930826.html