10 Things You Need To Know About Knee Arthritis

From femalefirst.co.uk

Knee arthritis accounts for almost half of the recorded cases of osteoarthritis. The Arthritis UK charity estimates it will to rise to 5.4 million in 2020 and reach 6.4 million by 2035.

Here are ten things you probably don’t know, but should, about knee arthritis:

When a joint is affected by arthritis it becomes damaged, painful and stiff. This occurs due to the breakdown of cartilage and its inability to repair and regenerate as efficiently as other structures in the body, such as muscle and skin.  This inability to repair is as a result of its lack of blood supply. As the cartilage wears down, the gap between the bones narrows, causing the bones to begin to rub and form bony spurs (osteophytes).


We used to believe arthritis was all about genetics, but research is now showing other factors have more of an influence; such as nutrition, lifestyle, body alignment and our environment.


Research by Harvard University and comparing skeletons from the 19th century with those from the 20th century showed that incidences of knee arthritis had doubled in the 20th century group. As the big difference between the two centuries has been the rise of chemicals in our environment, foods and our cosmetics, the hypothesis is that these are the culprits.


Statistics show that knee replacements are considerably less successful than hip replacements and they only last an average of nine years.


Walking is a great way to maintain the health of your knees, hips and ankles – but you must wear the right footwear.  And aquatic (water) exercises are also great. The water reduces the pressure on your knees whilst providing the resistance for your muscles to build strength.

Vitamins C and D are known to promote cartilage development and maintain the health of existing cartilage. Vitamin C strengthens cartilage and helps to reduce inflammation, while vitamin D helps prevent cartilage from breaking down.

Omega-3 fatty acids should be an essential part of a diet for a sufferer of knee arthritis as they help to decrease inflammation by suppressing chemicals that break down cartilage.

Ginger, cinnamon and turmeric have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, and can be taken in food or as a supplement to combat knee arthritis.

Antioxidants help to protect the body by destroying free radicals before they cause damage to body tissue such as cartilage in joints. Beta-carotene and bioflavonoids are powerful anti-oxidants.

The majority of x-rays of arthritic knees show only one side of the knee is affected by cartilage wear. This is because poor alignment of the ankles and feet change the angle of the knee, causing an individual to carry their body weight more on to one side of the knee, eventually causing it to wear down. Many studies have shown that wearing supportive shoes and orthotics that keep the foot and ankle in proper alignment can considerably reduce pain and swelling in people suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/health/knee-arthritis-1102012.html

Benefits of fish oil for arthritis

From askdrmandi.com

(WXYZ) – If you have arthritis you may be seeking better joint mobility. Fish oil could be the natural remedy you’re looking for.
Fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and contains high levels of DHA and EPA. It’s these fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation in joints.
When it comes to arthritis, there are two common types, Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
I point this out because research supports that fish oil effectively relieves and reduces joint pain and swelling for Rheumatoid arthritis. But with Osteoarthritis, more studies are needed before we can say it helps this type but the research does look promising.
I would recommend you eat fish over supplements because you’ll gain other nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and selenium. But I realize not everyone likes fish so here are my prescriptions:

1. When shopping for fish, choose the smaller types as they contain less mercury. Try mackerel, salmon, sardines, halibut and cod.
2. To reduce inflammation, eat a serving of fish 2 to 4 times a week. One serving is roughly 3 to 6 ounces.
3. If you prefer supplements, you can take up to 2.6 grams twice a day. Check the ingredient list to make sure it contains 30 percent of EPA and DHA.
4. If you take anti-inflammatory drugs you should talk to your doctor first before taking supplements. They may interact with them.
5. Cod liver oil also contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids but it’s different from fish oil.

Fish oil is made from a variety of fish whereas cod liver oil comes from pressed cod livers. It’s very high in Vitamin A and D, so if you take this in large quantities, it can be harmful.
I would stick to eating fish or taking supplements from trustworthy companies.

https://askdrnandi.com/benefits-fish-oil-arthritis/

Green man crossings 'too fast' for people with arthritis

From bbc.co.uk

People with arthritis are unable to cross roads quickly enough because the green man light on pedestrian crossings is too fast, according to researchers.

The problem has been highlighted during preparations for a £1.8m study on the condition and mobility issues led by Glasgow Caledonian University.
Prof Martijn Steultjens said pedestrian crossings were set with an assumed walking speed of 1.2 metres per second.
He said a study found 85% of women aged over 65 were unable to walk this fast.
The lead researcher on the Gait Rehabilitation in Early Arthritis Trial was due to meet the Scottish Parliament's cross party group on chronic pain to update MSPs on the project.
Ahead of the meeting, he said: "People with arthritis can't make the green man, they just don't want to go into town anymore.
"We know from speaking to patients that the issue makes them feel embarrassed and unsafe and is leading to social isolation for many.
"I do not feel this story about the many people suffering because of the green man is well enough known.
"I think it is time that city centres consider whether they are catering for an ageing population and people who experience difficulties in walking."
The five-year project will involve a feasibility study with patients from NHS regions in Scotland and England, followed by a large trial.
Glasgow Caledonian University is working in partnership with Keele University, King's College London, Salford University and the University of Glasgow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-41496179

Arthritis pill: Daily intake of new treatment halts disabling bone loss and damage

From express.co.uk

A DAILY pill which halts the disabling bone loss caused by osteoarthritis is being hailed as a new dawn in the treatment of the disease.
The new drug has excited scientists after trials showed that after just six months it reduced bone damage around knee joints and also maintained cartilage thickness.
It is the first time a drug has been shown to tackle underlying bone structure changes in diseased joints.
Current treatments have aimed only at helping patients manage pain symptoms.
The pan-European study was carried out over six months with 244 patients aged between 40 and 80 with osteoarthritis in the knee.
Lead investigator Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds, said: “These results are enormously exciting.

“This drug heralds a new dawn in the treatment of this disease as it is the first evidence we have of a drug which can have a significant benefit on the structure of the bone.”
Professor Conaghan, previously chairman of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence group on the management of osteoarthritis, added: “We now need larger studies to replicate these findings, the results of which we hope will open up a new class of drug.”
The treatment, known as M1V-711, is based on a molecule involved in the turnover of bone and cartilage in the joints. It works by interfering with the process that leads to joint breakdown.
It was tested against patients given a placebo and after six months those receiving the treatment showed a 65 per cent reduction in bone loss.
Those on the dummy pills showed slight increases in bone loss. The drug, which was shown to have relatively few side effects, also halted cartilage loss, with those on low doses experiencing a 70 per cent reduction in cartilage thickness and those on higher doses showing a slight increase in cartilage thickness.
Experts hope over a longer period the results may be greater, and could have an impact on significantly reducing pain from the condition.
The results of the trial are likely to be revealed next month at a conference in San Diego.
The news comes as experts call for an end to the widespread long-term use of painkillers such as paracetamol and antiinflammatories such as ibuprofen for osteo arthritis, following research showing they may be doing more harm than good.
Current guidance from Nice still recommends paracetamol and anti-infl ammatories as treatments for this disabling condition.
However, in one large US study people who regularly took paracetamol over 12 years had a 35 per cent increased risk of a stroke or fatal heart attack.
Other recent studies have linked long term use of anti-inflammatory drugs to an increased risk of stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
One of the UK’s leading experts on arthritis, Dr Rod Hughes, former president of rheumatology at The Royal Society of Medicine, said: “There are numerous side effects linked with anti-infl ammatory drugs and we need to look at safer longterm alternatives for those living with joint pain.”
He also highlighted research which shows a derivative of rosehip can dramatically reduce arthritis joint pain.
Laboratory studies of the treatment, called Gopo, suggests it dampens tissue inflammation.
Patient studies show the food supplement improved joint mobility and reduced pain by up to 80 per cent for those who used it for at least three months.
Former footballer Mark Beard, 42, who played for Millwall and Sheffield United, says using Gopo dramatically reduced the severe and disabling pain he suffered as he came to the end of his career.
Mr Beard, now full-time coach at Brighton FC and who also boxes to raise money for charity, had multiple injuries that led to severe pain in his ankles, knees, wrist, back and other joints that sometimes left him bedridden.
He said: “I had lots of pain. Sometimes I struggled to walk downstairs and could barely grip a pen.”
He says taking Gopo has transformed his life.
“I swear by it and so do many ex-footballers.”

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/860834/Arthritis-pill-disabling-bone-loss-and-damage-osteoarthritis-new-treatment

Ex-rugby players more likely to suffer arthritis, osteoporosis: study

From abc.net.au

The University of Oxford has surveyed hundreds of former elite rugby union players and found that, compared with the general population, they were twice as likely to live with pain and mobility problems.
It also found players over the age of 50 were more likely to have joints replaced at the hip and knee, and to suffer from arthritis and osteoporosis.
A sports exercise expert says players from other football codes are likely to suffer the kinds of injuries that lead to such joint problems.

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/ex-rugby-players-more-likely-to-suffer-arthritis-osteoporosis/9001366