Archive for the ‘Osteoarthritis Treatments’ Category
Magnet therapy is an old idea. Ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese cultures have all written about using magnets to treat health conditions from arthritis, to gout, to headaches. NASA recognized how important magnetic fields are for life on our planet back in the 1960′s. From then until now artificial magnetic fields are used in space for the health of the astronauts. Magnets assist in preserving bone mineral density, improving circulation, and improving the quality sleeping. The artificial magnetic fields reduced the effects of being away from the planet’s magnetic field.
Magnetic therapy has been an accepted treatment option for centuries. The National Health Services of Britain recently began permitting physicians to start writing scripts for magnets.
A cane needs to be strong enough to support your weight, especially if you are experiencing knee pain – so choose wisely. A small person can get away with an aluminum or wooden cane. A large person may have no choice but to use a steel or titanium. The tip is also important. Make sure the rubber tip is not worn to ensure proper balance.
A statement was released by The World Health Organization that there aren’t any health risks when static magnetic fields are used in magnetic therapy. Magnetic therapy when used properly has never been reported to cause health problems.
Some people who use magnetic therapy to treat knee pain experience a warming sensation. Their skin may sweat or tingle when they first begin using a magnetic knee brace. This is a normal reaction and is due to increased circulation. Do not use magnets if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant.
Using a cane can make life easier for people with arthritis. However when a cane is too short it will throw the user off balance and cause them to lean to one side. If a cane is too long it will be awkward to walk with it and the cane will be harder to lift. Generally speaking a cane should come up to the bend in your wrist.
Knee braces provide protection and stability. Magnetic therapy helps relieve knee pain. A magnetic knee brace is a treatment option worth considering if you suffer from knee arthritis. This knee brace is not a cure but a tool to help patients get up and moving. If patients can exercise a bit more hopefully they can lose weight to reduce the load on their knee joints. A little exercise and some light stretching can go a long way at relieving knee pain. Adding magnetic treatment can help. No drugs, no surgery… it’s worth a try.
Choose a grip that feels right in your hand. The type and size of the grip depends on you. If you experience hand pain, wrist pain, or have trouble when grasping things with your hands and fingers then try using a larger grip. Canes are a great help for knee osteoarthritis.
The Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases published in November of 2011 that cane use can increase function and decrease knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups: a cane group and a non-cane group. They were studied over a two-month period. Data like energy expenditure, pain levels, and general health was gathered during six-minute walking tests.
The study concluded that patients will experience a decrease in pain and an increase in function by using a cane. Also that prescriptions for canes need to take into consideration that patients will expend substantially more energy during their first month of cane use. And then as the patient gets used to using a cane that energy level will taper off to inconsequential measures.
A.Jones, et al. Impact of Cane Use on Pain, Function, GEneral Health and Energy Expenditure During Gait in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases 2012;71:172-179 doi:10.1136/ard.2010.140178
Amputation Following Knee Replacement – Topic of Discussion
2012 Pac Rim Meeting - A Pacific Forum for Physical Rehab
The United States Chapter of the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics held its bi-annual meeting in Honolulu this week. Dr. Frank Gottschalk presented a half hour lecture titled, “Amputation Following Failed Infected Knee Arthroplasty”. Dr. Gottschalk stressed the fact that total knee arthroplasty is a safe and common procedure, and explained that only less than 1% of patients succumb to infections. However he believes that this problem could become more prevalent by 2030.
Dr. Gottschalk quoted statistics that there are approximately 500,000 knee replacements performed in the United States each year. That number will swell to 3.5 million annual surgeries by 2030. His research indicates that there are specific risk factors that lead to infections post surgery. Diabetes, morbid obesity, smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, steroids, and revision surgeries are the primary culprits. Knee replacement surgeries for these osteoarthritis patients are usually a last resort.
The infections are of the staph, MRSA, and Gram Negative varieties. Approximately 90% of the patients who succumb to infection post knee replacement surgery are treated successfully, but some conditions will deteriorate to the point where a limb will have to be amputated. Dr. Gottschalk informed the audience of prosthetists about what types of patients will be successful candidates for prosthetic restoration. He stressed that when a patient is motivated they can have the potential to accomplish anything.
His statistics show that younger patients who lose limbs following an infected knee replacement will have a good chance of becoming active community ambulators. Dr. Gottschalk explained that elderly and morbidly obese patients will often times not be candidates for artificial legs and will most likely be confined to wheelchairs. He concluded by saying that the more surgery a patient is exposed to, the more scar tissue will develop. Scar tissue decreases functionality. So it is in the patient’s best interest to keep the revisions to a minimum.
Frank Gottschalk, M.D. is a professor at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Gottschalk serves on the Board of United States Member Society, International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics.
Osteoarthritis linked with obesity
Studies have shown that knee osteoarthritis is 4 to 5 times more prominent in obese individuals. Knee osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in a joint. By losing weight and reducing the stress placed on the joint, it is possible to slow the cartilage destruction. For every 10lbs of weight lost it is possible to reduce the strain on the joint by 30-50lbs. Weight loss can cause a staggering reduction in pressure and can decrease knee pain immensely.
Low impact exercise routines reduce the joint stress associated with body weight, while allowing you to lose weight. Start slow with a workout that challenges you, yet does not cause pain. Proper diet and exercise can provide the necessary jumpstart to a knee pain free lifestyle.
Seated Pillow Squeeze
You don’t have to spend money and time on a gym membership to exercise if you have knee osteoarthritis. A seated pillow squeeze is a simple workout which can be performed at home without the use of complicated equipment. This exercise uses a pillow and a chair!
Using a sturdy chair (not one with wheels), sit upright with your feet firmly placed on the ground. Place a pillow folded in half in between your knees, and squeeze slowly counting to 5. You should feel your muscles contract in your inner thighs. Repeat this for 12 times taking 20 second breaks in between sets.