Knee Arthritis|Knock Knees|Virtual Knee Surgery

Knee arthritis can occur at quite a young age, especially in those that have taken care of their bodies and are still in great shape whatever age.

So it comes as a shock when you go to visit your doctor and he tells you that you have osteoarthritis and it's going to be an ongoing part of your life, and then prescribes you NSAID's, which is essentially like burying your head in the sand.

Doctors say arthritis has no cure and that NSAID's are the best form of pain relief - in the West that is - but what you are doing when you take one of these anti-inflammatory cocktails is letting the disease run away and spread throughout your knee and body, while all the time you are just swallowing another pill every time arthritis flares up somewhere.

Some medical practitioners in the West however are finally accepting that this pattern of thinking really has to change, especially now there are new supplements and treatments which haven't just yet provided a cure, but are getting very close and are much more successful at helping to get this disease to go into some state of remission.

So when it comes to seeing your doctor and you ask what alternatives there are to taking something like Celebrex which is now banned in the U.S for the dangerous side effects patients experienced after long-term use - your doctor should hopefully state the following.

5 Best Alternative Treatments to NSAID's

1. Try Glucosamine:

Glucosamine is now found in a few popular FDA registered homeopathic supplements for joint pain and these can be taken with any medication - even NSAID's if you're trying to wean your way off them.

These will reduce the inflammation, restrict pain signals sent from the joint to receptors in the brain and they also contain elements like magnesium which can help rebuild bone density by some 12%.

2. Physio work:

This will help improve your mobility, increase flexibility and strengthen the muscles around the knee..

Physio work can include your own exercise routines such as swimming plenty of laps, as swimming as many people know will help strengthen muscles throughout the body and also reduce the pain naturally the fitter you are.

3. Get plenty of sun:

Doctors will obviously not stress that the sun can help with coping with arthritis in the knee, but many people with this condition swear by that fact that being out and active in the sun certainly has a positive impact on how you deal with this disease in your body.

4. Fish oil and vitamins:

Omega 3, 6, and 9 proteins are also widely known now in the west to help lubricate the cartilage and if you've ever gone on a long walk, 15km plus and you feel your legs seizing up a bit, you know when you take one of those supplements that after a few minutes you start to feel a very subtle warm feeling around the joints, and mobility in the legs becoming less strenuous.

Perfectly natural and also great for longevity, more so when consumed in its natural form like salmon, mackerel and sardines.

Vitamin C and D are also recommended, especially vitamin D in 800mg capsules - both are great at lubricating the joints.

5. Stay positive and keep focused:

If it's knee arthritis that's getting you down, say to hell with it and go abroad if you can afford it, somewhere hot ideally.

If not, do some work in your community, help people out, voluntary work helps you to keep your mind off it, especially if it's abroad where you meet new people and grow as an individual.

Communicate with people on forums or in the community who have the same problem, although make sure they are positive spirits and are not constantly wallowing away.

Live a life worth living!

A meniscus tear is medically defined as a common knee injury usually in the cartilage forming the knee joint. It is also known as a torn cartilage that can affect severely the mobility of one's knee joint. This injury is usually experienced by athletes who play contact sports such as boxing, football, and basketball to name a few.

Symptoms

There are three levels of meniscus tear, each with its own symptoms as follows:

1. Minor Tear

• You experience a little pain and swelling of your knee joint. This usually lasts about two to three weeks.

2. Moderate Tear

• Pain gradually increases and you experience it either at the side or center of the knee joint. Swelling heightens and limits the mobility of your knee. Although you can still walk, you'll have the feeling of your knee becoming stiff.
• Sharp excruciating pain when twisting the knee or squatting.

3. Severe Tear

• As the torn cartilage moves to the joint area, your knees may be wobbly and it can, at anytime, give way.
• You can hear clicks on your knees and you'll experience locked knee.
• You may experience severe limitations in the mobility of your knee and the ability to walk.

Diagnosis

When you experience the above symptoms especially from moderate to severe, it is necessary to undergo correct diagnosis of the condition. Your health practitioner or physician can recommend clinical testing of your condition and confirm if you are indeed suffering from meniscus tear as well as the severity of the condition.

Some of these clinical tests are as follows:

• X-Rays and MRIs to visualize the tear
• McMurray Test to determine the extent of swelling
• Appley and Steinmann tests to examine swelling and pain

Treatment

Treatment of the meniscus tear is dependent on several factors such as: (1) the extent or severity of the tear; (2) the type of tear; (3) as well as how old you are and how active and mobile you are at your age.

Usually the options for treatment are as follows:

• Non-surgical treatment that includes the application of ice compress for swelling and pain, natural healing process that involves knee rest and elevation, undergoing physical therapy sessions, and the wearing of knee brace until the condition is healed.
• Surgical treatment that is an option for severe conditions. There are several types of surgery to correct the condition, such as: sewing the tear, removing the torn portion of the meniscus, or removing the entire area.

It is always prudent to go for the non-surgical treatment before the surgical treatment. If in the event surgery is the only option, it is still best to have the torn meniscus fixed or repaired rather than having it removed partially or totally.

Always explore your options and do not hesitate to ask your physician to get to know more about the condition. You can also explore the internet for valuable information that will help you find the right treatment to meniscus tear.

Arthritis comes from the Greek arthro- meaning joint and -itis meaning inflammation. Arthritis joint pain causes a spectrum of pains from mild and intermittent annoyance to debilitating, life-altering agony. While there is no known cure for arthritis, the joint pain caused by the disease can be treated to improve the arthritis sufferer's quality of life.

Managing body aches caused by arthritis doesn't have to involve a narcotic, numbing out experience. There are natural solutions for treating the pain. One of the most promising discoveries in the battle against arthritis joint pain, whether the pain is in your knee, back, fingers, or hands, is Natural Eggshell Membrane, or NEM, for short. NEM is derived entirely from egg, so unless you have an egg allergy, it does not produce the side effects caused by prescription drugs. It is also vegetarian friendly, which makes this a great product for herbivores and omnivores alike.

NEM contains glycosaminoglycans, better known to us common folk as glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. Before I explain how these carbohydrates help your joints, it's important to understand the basic structure of a joint. A joint is formed where two bones meet head to head. The joint is the cushion between the bones that keeps them from rubbing together and eroding each other. The connective tissue is called articular cartilage. The articular cartilage is lubricated by synovial fluid. A major component of synovial fluid is hyaluronan, from which hyaluronic acid is derived. Hyaluronan adds to the viscosity, or rich thickness, of synovial fluid. The lubrication provided by synovial fluid is important.

Imagine that your articular cartilage is a rubber band. Now, a new rubber band is very stretchy and flexible. But what happens to a rubber band when it gets old? When it sits out in the sun for days or weeks, when it gets dried out? It becomes brittle and will snap quite easily, or even crumble. It loses its ability to bounce back and to stretch and move comfortably. A similar effect happens when your articular cartilage is deprived of proper and adequate lubrication. The resulting joint pain - be it in your knee, back, hands, or fingers - is a result of both damage to the connective tissue or articular cartilage, and, potentially, your bones beginning to erode each other.

While arthritis pain is not always a result of injury or daily wear and tear (osteoarthritis), but can also include situations where the immune system attacks the body's tissues (rheumatoid arthritis), the basic joint pain arthritis treatment can be the same. NEM works by increasing joint lubrication, resiliency, and cellular function to potentially help rebuild articular cartilage. NEM's glycosaminoglycans also work in conjunction to help reduce the inflammation and swelling attributed to joint pain arthritis.

Multiple studies have produced statistically significant results correlating NEM with a reduction in arthritis symptoms specific to patients suffering from osteoarthritis. In one study, at the end of:

繚 10 days -
o 33% experienced a 30% reduction in joint pain arthritis in the knee, and
o 25% showed more than a 50% reduction in stiffness

繚 60 days -
o 32% of NEM-taking participants reported more than a 50% reduction in pain, and
o a 27% average improvement in stiffness

Such studies have shown NEM's effectiveness both on a short-term and long-term basis for treating joint pain arthritis.

Talk to your doctor about NEM. It may be the solution you're seeking for relief from joint pain arthritis in your back, knee, hands, or fingers, without the side effects of prescription drugs. Take your life back from the clutches of arthritis.

Did you know that your workouts may cause arthritic knee pain? Many workout warriors with asymptomatic knees would never even think about this until it is, unfortunately, too late.

Recently, I saw a picture of a 70 year old former exercise guru in a wheelchair recovering form both knee, and hip replacement surgeries. This individual in the 1980's frequently promoted a fitness program that featured high impact aerobics. After I saw that pictures the first thing that crossed my minds was a connection between high impact aerobics, and arthritic knee pain.

If you have never thought about knee arthritis, then I recommend starting to think about it today. Why? Because a recent study correlated an increased risk of knee osteoarthritis with high impact exercise.

The study looked at 136 women, and 100 men, ages 45 - 55. They were divided into three groups - low activity, medium, and high. All subjects had healthy knees, and were of average weight when the study began.

The results showed that 93% of people in the high activity group suffered from cartilage damage versus 60% in the low activity group. Of course, the high impact exercises, day after day, can often lead to arthritic knee pain. A high impact fitness program would be considered running, and jumping. A low impact workout would be swimming, elliptical training, or riding the bike.

The study also found that lower impact exercises may protect diseased cartilage, and prevent them from developing osteoarthritis knees.

So what do you need to know to prevent knee cartilage damage?

1. Incorporate a cross training type of fitness program to prevent arthritic knee pain.

Don't just run 7 days a week, year in and year out. Mix your workout up by incorporating low impact cardiovascular sessions.

2. Get adequate rest between workout.

The higher the intensity of exercise, the more rest is required between workouts. Don't be afraid to take days off. Focus on quality training, not quantity. Shorten your workouts. Attempt to avoid overuse injuries.

3. When you hit the 40 years of age, don't focus on training like a high level competitive athlete.

Be smart! Even though I love training like an athlete, I know plyometrics are not the best things for my knees at 42 years of age. Once again, strategically plan your workouts.

Please understand, I am not saying you can't workout from time to time in a high impact manner. However, cross training, and sufficient rest is mandatory as you age.

High impact exercises at 40 years old, plus, have shown to significantly increase your chances of arthritic knee pain. In order to avoid knee osteoarthritis make sure you follow the recommendations presented above. A well planned out, intelligent fitness program will equal healthier knees.

Your knees are definitely very important for you. Both knees allow you to squat, walk, kneel and bend. If your knee is injured or suffering from painful conditions such as arthritis, you will have difficulties in performing your day to day activities. The most common types of painful knee conditions include traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These common knee conditions affect the said joints on the legs.

Specific conditions include extreme knee pain that limits your daily activities. The knee pain ranging from moderate to severe could be felt during the day or night. Suffering from knee inflammation which is not relieved with the use of pain medication or rest could result in knee deformity and the stiffening of the knee.

Initially, patients who are suffering from different kinds of arthritis first try traditional treatment approaches. Various treatments will relieve knee pain and will slow knee joint damage. Traditional treatments include pain medications and injections, use of braces, undergoing physical and heat therapy. If these traditional treatments are still not effective, and the desirable response is not met, patients consider surgery as their last option. Knee replacement surgery is their last resort to relieve extreme knee pain.

Before you undergo knee replacement, the decision should be made with your family, the primary healthcare provider, and your orthopedic surgeon. You need to consider many things before subjecting yourself to the surgery. There are some conditions which you must experience for you to become one of the candidates of knee replacement surgery.

After you have decided, your past and present medical history is then evaluated. There is a need to gather all information regarding your overall health, the severity of your limitations and the extent and severity of your knee pain. You will undergo a series of physical examinations. Your surgeon will determine essential information such as your knee strength, alignment, stability, range of motion and several movements which will provoke pain. There is a need also for you to undergo a series of sophisticated tests such as X-rays to assess joint deformity and damage.

Before the surgery takes place, it is essential for you to understand what you should expect about the procedure. You need to know that the ultimate objective of the surgery is to improve the function of your knee. You will have specific restrictions after your surgery. Some restrictions are temporary but there are also permanent restrictions.

Arthritis and joint pain can be a debilitating condition for most sufferers. A reduction in the cartilage tissue that cushions the joints is the primary symptom of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although they have different causes, most diseases that cause joint pain are characterized by high levels of inflammatory.

Because conventional medicine has little to offer by way of a cure, doctors recommend prescription drugs like Ibuprofen and Aspirin that can cause serious side effects and organ damage when taken for long time. But there are many natural ways for sufferers of joint pain to get relief from the agony.

Arthritis sufferers are advised to follow general precautions such as getting adequate rest and water, not exercising too much, using compresses, avoiding alcohol, practicing yoga or another low-impact exercise natural. Following a healthy diet and avoiding inflammatory foods such as red meats, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes can also help curb inflammation.

A growing number of doctors and nutritional experts have come to believe that diet plays a primary role in the onset of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Doctors like Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a leading advocate of the anti-inflammatory diet, recommend a diet that is low in simple carbohydrates such as sugar, processed foods, pasta, breads, pastry and baked products. These are high-glycemic index foods that can increase levels of the pro-inflammatory peptides in the body.

Perricone recommends an anti-inflammatory diet that includes consuming a high quality protein (such as tuna or salmon), adequate amounts of essential fatty acids, as well as colorful fresh fruits and vegetables. The reason this diet works to reduce inflammation is because it supplies a number of essential nutrients that can heal inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and autoimmune disease.

Essential fatty acids like those found in salmon, flax, nuts, seeds and olive oil, can significantly curb inflammation, reduce pain and swelling, improve joint mobility and prevent further degeneration of joints. However they have to be taken over months to see a noticeable effect.

Supplementation with folic acid has been found to reduce hip fractures resulting from osteoporosis. Taking a good supplement that provides bone minerals such as magnesium and calcium is essential for sufferers of joint pain. Zinc has also been shown to relieve joint pain and stiffness. A good supplement will also include Vitamin D and B6, as well as antioxidant vitamins like A, C and E.

Other nutritional substances that have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation in a number of studies are turmeric, which was found to reduce symptoms by 73%, and bromelain, a protease enzyme derived from pineapples. Anti-oxidants like alpha-lipoic acid are also recommended as part of the anti-inflammatory diet.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), an organic sulfur-containing nutrient, has proved helpful in relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and reducing pain. Also recommended are nutrients like chondroitin, which helps build cartilage, and glucosamine, which curbs inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory herbs such as boswellia, and immune-regulating herbs like ashwagandha and ginseng can regulate a hypersensitive immune system and lower levels of pro-inflammatory metabolites. Other herbs used to heal achy joints are St Johns wort, celery seed, angelica, juniper, sarsaparilla, devils claw, wild yam and willow bark.

A good joint supplement may not contain all these ingredients, but including some of them as part of your daily intake can help heal a number of inflammatory and joint conditions.

Blood bank refrigerator have to be reliable and are designed to meet strict requirements established by these companies including the FDA, the AABB, ANRC and FDA for the storage of whole blood and blood components the temperature has to have a adjustable control, and be in the range of +1 degree C to +8 degree C, factory pre-set to +4 degree C. The uses for these reliable refrigerators are helping saves lives daily.

You can not expect any hospital or clinic to function properly without a good quality and efficient medical equipment. These quiet running and inconspicuous medical refrigerators are one of those urgently needed and vital piece of medical equipment that keep medical labs running smoothly by holding/storage of the lab work (blood work) that doctors have requested them to take from their patients. These medical refrigerators are far superior to regular domestic refrigerators and very reliable.

How are the tests handled in the laboratory there is a variety of different applications done in the laboratory which call for precision liquid handling techniques. Now in the the microbiology lab and beyond, pipettes and other liquid handling solutions are essential elements in ensuring the accuracy, reliability and reproducibility of laboratory work these days.

We have to have proper effective medical equipment, no hospital or clinic can function properly without them. The least commended but necessary pieces of medical equipments happens to be the medical refrigerators that are a part of any medical profession. They are available in a wide range of sizes and capacities to fit the different offices and needs they are called to be utilized.

Scientific Refrigerators help doctors by providing safe and reliable storage of blood and other fluids till they are needed for tests. These medical refrigerators are quite different from regular refrigerators as they not only maintain a constant temperature but do recover the set temperature. Hooray for the blood bank and scientific refrigerator.

In summary a lab freezer is not just a bigger freezer like the one we use in our homes day to day, it is a specific device used to keep critical materials, many of them dangerous, at a constant, regulated temperature so that when test are done on them the test are accurate. They can be made small enough to fit beneath a counter in your kitchen to the size of a normal upright freezer, or as large as a walk in freezer. While most household freezers are kept between zero and -10 degrees Celsius, a lab freezer can get as low as -85 degrees Celsius that is cold.

Getting your balance back in your legs after a total knee replacement is one of the factors that can be over looked at times. During rehabilitation if you were to go to a skilled setting you generally will receive the necessary exercises and activities to get both static and dynamic standing balance back. if you are doing the rehabilitation on your own depending on your insurance coverage, most people will over look these activities. We get obsessed with the bending and straightening of the knee and do not consider balance.

Static standing balance is when you are doing activities standing still and, dynamic standing balance is when you are doing activities like walking for instance. Both need just a little bit of work to assure you are able to walk safely on all types of surfaces both indoors and outdoors.

Following are three exercises you can do at home on your own at the kitchen sink. I like to use the kitchen sink due to its stability and the fact it will not move or shift on you leaving you exposed to a fall.

1. Heel and Toe Raises: Standing at the kitchen sink with your hands on the outer edge of the sink and your arms at full extension, get up on your tip toes as high as you possibly can and hold that position for a slow count of five. Slowly return to the starting position and go back onto your heels with your toes in the air and hold again for a slow count of five. Do these 15 times. Important here is to keep your back as straight as possible.

2. Single Legged Raise: Standing at the kitchen sink with both hands on the counter, lift one leg at time and hold that for a count of five. Then, repeat that with the opposite leg again hold that position for a slow count of five. Standing on the operated leg by itself will build strength in it as well as develop better balance skills and proprioception in the joint itself. You can do this 15 times also.

3. Partial Mini Squats: Start out by holding onto the sink with both hands lower yourself with both legs to about 45 degrees of knee bend and hold that position for a slow count of five. This will develop strength in the thigh muscles along with getting a stretch in the calve muscles if you heels remain on the floor.
Once you feel comfortable with that, then try it without holding on to the counter. Complete this exercise 15 times.

These exercises are geared more for your static balance which you want to develop before advancing to more skilled activities for the dynamic aspect of balance. There are a multitude of exercises that you can do to get the same results however, these are exercises that all my patients use in the home health setting and, get excellent results. Once you feel comfortable with these then move on to more skilled activities like the modified lunge to work on your dynamic balance skills.

Getting your balance back is just one of several key areas that you will want to implement in your total knee replacement exercise protocol.

Ageing is an inevitable as well as irreversible process. As we advance to our ripe ages, several physical problems infest our bodies. One of them is malfunctioning of our bones. They lose their flexibilities after the prolonged service and manifest their problems in a myriad of ways. The ageing people often face the problem of hip joint disorders. When such problem takes a severe turn, the total replacement becomes a pressing need.

Not only the aged persons but also the younger ones may suffer from this problem due to any massive injury. Often people tend to ignore such problems at early stage and avoid consulting with the physicians. Such negligence aggravates the problem and then either the total hip replacement or hip resurfacing seems to be the only option to cure the patients.

In the medical jargon, the total hip replacement is termed as 'arthroplasty'. This surgical way involves a very strenuous and therefore, the women and aged persons are not suggested to undergo this operation. Even a middle aged person without a stout figure should not go for such a surgery.

In the total hip replacement procedure, the two parts of the hips and the socket get replaced with the metallic or plastic cups to provide them the previous flexibility. Any of this hip replacement procedure is helpful in getting the patients relieved of their pains and rid of the rigidness in the bones. Hip resurfacing is regarded as the best alternative to the total hip replacement. An experienced orthopedics can only suggest which one of them is the best for a typical individual. Though such physical disorder is the most common problem experienced by the aged people but they can manage to thwart the invasion of this disease by maintaining a healthy routine and going through a little bit of physical exercises as prescribed by an expert. Therefore, prevention of hip breakdown is always better than any surgical procedure of healing the ailment.

The hybrid technique which amazingly amalgamates the two procedures namely total hip replacement and hip resurfacing is done in accordance with the severity in the joint disorder problem. Such technique ensures the speedy recovery for the patients along with the assurance of the extended life span of the hip-joints.

In case of the hip resurfacing, a long incision along with a large dissection of muscles is to be done. On the contrary, in the process of the total hip replacement, a minor incision is to be done causing a lesser blood loss and requiring the patients stay for a shorter period in the hospital.

Arthritis is fairly common and patients experiencing arthritis hip pain are usually over the age of 50. The most common of hip arthritis types is osteoarthritis. This is basically when the cartilage of the hip joint wears away due to the arthritis and that leaves the bone bare inside the joint itself. Hip arthritis tends to run in families but people who are overweight and those who have suffered from traumatic injury near the hip joint are most likely to develop arthritis.

If you aren't sure whether or not you have hip arthritis, determine if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

繚 Pain
繚 Poor range of motion
繚 Hip stiffness
繚 Limping while walking

If you think you may have arthritis, don't feel like you have to keep dealing with the arthritis hip pain. There are several treatments to try and they don't have to include dangerous prescription medications with uncomfortable side effects.

The first thing you could try if you're over your recommended weight is to lose a few pounds. This can drastically reduce the symptoms of hip arthritis and it's a natural and relatively easy treatment method if you think about it. It's also something you can do entirely on your own or with the help of close friends and family members.

You could also try using a single crutch or walking cane to help take some of the pressure off of the arthritic joint. This isn't something you'd necessarily have to do for the long term and it will help to reduce the pain.

Refrain from participating in any physical activity that seems to make your hips achy. Sprinting or stair stepping wouldn't be good exercises choices for you but you could try walking or swimming instead. Physical therapy can also help because it enables you to strengthen the surrounding muscles of the hip joint which can take some of the pressure off.

In severe hip arthritis cases you may have to undergo hip replacement surgery or hip resurfacing surgery. These should only be used as last resorts. You should try all of the natural methods first to save money and avoid any kind of prescription drug use. Weight loss is the method that is used the least and yet it's really so simple. It doesn't make sense to stay overweight if losing weight could mean a lot less pain for you and more use of your hip joint. The excess weight is hard on all parts of your body and when it's lost, your body will thank you for it.

You don't have to suffer from arthritis hip pain. If you think you may have arthritis in your hip try all of the natural methods first to see if they help. It could save you thousands in surgical costs.

Spring is coming and with it comes increased outdoor activities, but millions of people are limited because of knee pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 21 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, which is characterized by a breakdown of the cartilage and a deterioration of the fluid in a joint.

The symptoms of OA include pain and stiffness, which can range from mild to severe. While, the majority of OA sufferers are 45 years of age and older, OA can be diagnosed at any age due to knee injury and sports-related trauma.

According to Nicholas A. DiNubile, MD, a clinical assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and an orthopedic consultant to the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers and the Pennsylvania Ballet, "Genetics may play a part in the development of osteoarthritis. Some people may be born with knee alignment problems that predispose them to wear or a genetic problem with their cartilage, which causes the cartilage to break down in the joint as the person ages or in younger individuals who engage in rigorous activity."

Alternatives to Oral Pain Relievers

There are a number of FDA-approved, pill-free alternatives to COX-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and naproxen) that offer OA knee pain relief with less cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects. There are clinically proven options, among them a treatment known as viscosupplementation, which is a series of three to five injections that can provide up to six months of pain relief.

Alternative treatments to oral pain relievers include:

* Exercise, weight loss, physical therapy
These types of treatments are usually the first step in OA therapy. Often, approaches such as exercise, weight loss, and physical therapy can be combined with other treatments to produce the best results. For example, weight loss can reduce the amount of stress on a knee joint, and physical therapy can help strengthen knee joints.

* Nutritional Supplements
Products like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are commonly used to treat OA knee pain. However, the clinical evidence to support the role of these supplements in helping OA knee pain sufferers is somewhat controversial.

* Corticosteroid injections
This treatment can be used to reduce local inflammation and swelling, which may in turn relieve OA knee pain. However, pain relief with these agents is usually short-term and the number of injections per year per knee may be limited.

* Viscosupplementation
In knee OA, synovial (or joint) fluid can break down and provide less cushioning and lubrication. Viscosupplementation is a treatment that replaces diseased joint fluid. Healthcare professionals inject a gel that is similar to healthy synovial fluid into a patient's knee joint, which can reduce the pain from OA of the knee. Viscosupplementation products have been proven to provide pain relief from osteoarthritis of the knee and when treatment is started early enough it might reduce the need for a total knee replacement in the future.

Currently, Synvisc (www.synvisc.com) is the top-selling viscosupplementation treatment, which can be administered by a knee pain specialist during a series of three office visits, providing relief for up to six months.

Also, in a medical study reported by Dr. J.P. Raynauld and colleagues, patients who added Synvisc to usual care such as diet, exercise and oral medications reported significantly greater pain relief than those who received usual care alone.

* Surgery
In more advanced cases of OA of the knee, surgery may be the last option. This may include arthroscopy to remove damaged cartilage and loose bodies. For some people, a complete joint replacement may be needed.

"The most important thing patients can do to determine the treatment that's right for them is talk to their doctors. Whether cases are mild, moderate or severe, OA of the knee can progress and pain may get worse over time. With the right treatment, sufferers can get the pain relief needed to lead a more active life," says Dr. DiNubile.

Before you actually undergo a knee surgery, your surgeon will talk to you about the things that you should do to recuperate after the surgery. The recovery period usually range from six weeks to eight weeks. After this period of time, the knee rehabilitation will start. In most cases, the patients are able to successfully recover from the surgery and they are able to carry on with their normal lives. While the surgery is important, the knee surgery recovery is equally as important.

Usually, the patients who undergo the surgery will be moved to an inpatient rehab after a few days of the procedure. These patients are usually advised to elevate their leg so that they can recover quickly. In addition to this, ice packs are also used on the area that has been operated. The knee surgery recovery will also involve physical therapy and overall, you can expect to spend two to three months for knee surgery recovery.

On the second day of the surgery, you will be asked to get up from the bed and start walking slowly. Of course, you will be given a walker with the help of which you will be able to walk. Needless to say, there will be a therapist with you when you start your physical therapy. As long as you are comfortable, you will allowed to put up with as much weight as you can. Just remember that the therapy is extremely important part of your knee surgery recovery so do your best.

While you will have to rest during the entire knee surgery recover period, except of course during the physical therapy, you should make sure that you are following your doctor's orders because following his suggestions will definitely benefit you if you want to recover from the surgery in as little time as possible. Get in touch with your doctor regularly and update him on your condition. If you feel that your knee is not feeling as good as it should then you should go and see your doctor immediately.

You will be given a medication after the surgery so as to get relief your knee from the pain. Usually, your doctor will advise you to stop taking the medication if there is no longer any pain on your knee. If you are someone who drives then do not start driving just a week or two after your surgery.

Arthritis is the painful swelling of the bodys joints. Although classified under a single term - arthritis, the disease encompasses over a hundred kinds of rheumatic ailments which involve joint inflammation, swelling and stiffness.

Arthritis can strike any part of your body, causing pain and inflammation. Some of these rheumatic disorders can cause disabling and critical physiological problems, and even damage other vital body parts like bones, muscles and internal organs.

The disease does not limit itself to any age group and can afflict anyone, even children. Although the rate and frequency of arthritis rises with advancing age, out of every five sufferers, three are almost always under 65.

Arthritis can result in permanent and irreparable damage in bones, joints, internal organs and even skin, especially if not diagnosed in its early stages and treated immediately.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most pervasive forms of arthritis.

What are the Signs and symptoms of arthritis?

Arthritis refers to a set of syndromes which directly involve the bodys joints and muscles. Joint pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints are indicators of the disease. An inflamed joint exhibits signs of redness, swelling, tenderness and may be warm when touched.

Encasing a majority of joints is the cartilage tissue, a protective shield of tough fibrous matter containing a slippery fluid for smoother movement. When arthritis attacks the joints, it can cause the cartilage to deteriorate, weakening and thinning it down. The resulting inflammation and swelling brings about throbbing pain at every movement.

Different indicators like pain, swelling, or difficulty of movement within the area of a joint for two weeks or more may necessitate a visit to your doctor. As there are many different symptoms of the disease, only a qualified medical practitioner can make the correct diagnosis. It is also important to determine the particular type of arthritis you are suffering from in order to proceed with appropriate treatment.

Insomnia, chronic tiredness, depression or muscle soreness may also be linked to arthritis, which symptoms may develop gradually or appear swiftly and unexpectedly. Some sufferers are unable to carry on with normal day-to-day activities at home and at work due to pain and stiffness in the joints, making movement difficult.

Most of the range of everyday motions including rising from bed in the mornings, slipping buttons into buttonholes, getting dressed, writing, stitching, walking, cooking, going up the stairs, getting up from a sitting position, and even coping with personal hygiene prove difficult due to the pain and stiffness of joints brought on by arthritis. Being unable to move in a normal manner upsets most people more than suffering the pain of throbbing joints.

Consulting a medical practitioner at the earliest time possible will allow you to start immediate medication and therapy to give pain relief and to safeguard your joints. Remedies like avoiding too much stress and anxiety, and by employing the use of protective apparatus to help with movement can assist you in dealing with the disease. It also helps to keep the weight off to take the strain off the hips and knees.

Arthritis management primarily seeks to maintain regularity of movement and help the sufferer cope with day to day tasks.

As time passes, most of our bones, joints and muscle tissues will put through wear and tear that could make these organs less efficient in its function and also much more vulnerable to damage. Consequently, it's vitally important to cater to these effects when an elderly person is being treated or as a preventive measures.

Of all the joints in the body, the knee joint is most likely one of many joints that takes brunt of the stressors and will be the primary site for complaints of pain among the elderly age group. The pain could arise from a variety of components also it could be the bones, cartilages, muscles or tendons. The pain that is felt can be a localized chronic ache otherwise an agonizing acute Knee Pain which sometimes radiate up or down in the affected leg.

A person, particularly the elderly, is most probably to endure these painful conditions that would certainly affect the persons activities of everyday living. Therefore, how are we going to avoid such incidence? Following are few suggestions of Knee Pain Treatment or preventive measures.

1. Put on correctly fitting shoes or sandals when walking or doing exercises.

2. Avoid running or exercising on uneven surfaces and make use of properly laid down tracks or flat surfaces in performing such exercises.

3. Put on knee guards when exercising or walking to give it support in maintaining stability while the movements are taking place.

4. Do sufficient warm up prior to indulging on strenuous exercise or physical activities then warming down exercises would also be helpful.

5. Give sufficient rest following prolonged standing, walking or following working out in order to allow the knees to recover from acute stressors.

6. Hot fermentation of the knee joint as well as cold compressions is a great type of Knee Pain Treatment since it reduce and revitalize the knees for the another day.

7. Staying away from prolonged immobility is also a significant step in preventing knee joint pain in addition to limited movements.

8. Getting healthy nutritional foods which consists of sufficient calcium, nutritional supplements would benefit in stopping prolonged joint pain and would help a fast recovery process subsequent minor injuries.

9. Avoid heavy lifting in abnormal postures as disproportionate weight distribution can bring about knee injuries and strains thereby causing pain.

Consequently, adequate precautions in addition to healthy habits will lead to protection of the joint and therefore the avoidance of nagging knee joint pain.

In 2008, the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), published its first evidence-based recommendations for arthritis treatments of the hip and knee. The goal was to determine which arthritis remedies would be most useful for individual patients.

They determined that the first arthritis remedies to relieve patients' hip and knee pain should be those that they can do for themselves. It was also found that receiving monthly phone calls from lay people promoting self-care improved patients' joint pain and physical function for as much as a year.

Compensating for a painful knee can, over time, result in pain in your hip or ankle. Shoes with high heels or uneven wear can throw your posture off and put unnecessary stress on your knee joints. Switching to comfortable shoes may not be enough, however. You might need an orthotic device placed in your shoe. Shoe inserts come ready made or a physical therapist can design one especially for you.

Physical therapists can observe how you sit, stand and walk and teach you how to move with less pain. They will tailor exercises to your particular condition and help you relieve hip and knee pain, maintain motion and prevent joint stiffening.

Physical therapists can also provide assistive devices to make daily tasks easier. Canes and crutches can reduce pain in the hip and knee joints. Wheeled walkers may be preferable if both hips and/or knees are affected. With arthritis affecting the knee, special footwear and insoles can improve walking and reduce pain while a knee brace can also improve your stability and reduce the risk of falling.

Consider getting a trainer. Aerobic, muscle-strengthening exercises can promote muscle strength, improve range of motion, increase mobility and ease pain. In a recent study by Japanese researchers, exercise, whether on land or in water, decreases pain levels, increases the body's production of inflammation-fighting hormones and decreases stress and anxiety, which can make joint pain worse.

If you are overweight, losing just 10 pounds will take 30 to 60 pounds of pressure off your knee.

Exercise in water. If you don't have access to a warm-water pool, you can do warm-water exercises on a smaller scale in your own tub, Jacuzzi or whirlpool bath. Warm water is a good place to stretch and strengthen your muscles, even for those who have difficulty exercising on dry land. Acting as resistance to help build muscle strength, the buoyancy of water makes exercise seem easier and more comfortable.

Relieve pain with heat and cold.

Heat may be dry or moist. Moist heat sources include warm baths. Soaking in a warm tub can be a good way to apply heat to all parts of the body at once, especially if you have arthritis in several joints. A hot bath or dip in a Jacuzzi can also bring immediate pain relief. Consult your doctor if you are older than 70 or have respiratory or cardiac problems. Heat inducing creams are a temporary but effective way to relieve pain but, to prevent burning, do not use them with a heating pad.

Dry heat sources include heat lamps, heating pads, microwaveable pads or wearable heat wraps that apply continuous heat to the body and can even be slept in. In a recent study researchers found that continuous heat administered by a wearable heat pack eased pain and stiffness all day and better than either of two commonly used drugs, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Or apply cold. When joint pain is severe, applying something cold can numb the affected nerves and distract your mind from your pain. The coldness restricts the blood vessels and prevents fluids from leaking into the surrounding tissues. But using it for too long can cause stiffness.

Cold may be applied with a commercially available cold pack, or you can make your own cold pack by wrapping a towel around a bag of frozen vegetables or filling a sealable plastic bag with ice. For best results, and to avoid causing damage to your skin, always put a towel between your skin and the cold pack. Apply cold packs for no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Alternating hot and cold methods may also provide relief.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS, has been shown to help with short-term pain control in some patients with knee or hip arthritis. TENS is a technique using a weak electric current applied to the skin through electrodes. It is believed to stop pain messages from reaching the brain.

You might want to try acupuncture. In a recent trial, acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved function for patients with arthritis of the knee who had moderate to severe pain even though they took medications for it. While patients had a 40 percent reduction in pain, they did not begin to benefit until week 14 of the 26-week study.

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at particular points on the body. The needles may be connected to a low-level electrical current for a more powerful effect. If you decide to try acupuncture, make sure your acupuncturist uses sterile, disposable needles and that they are licensed by your state and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Nurture your emotional health with guided imagery. To take your focus off your stress and pain, select a place in your home where you won't be disturbed. Play serene background music. Search your memory for the most beautiful, the most peaceful pain-free place you have ever been. Or imagine it in as much detail as possible, the sights, the sounds, the feelings. Take as much time as you need; Reach a state of calm and peace before you open your eyes. For extremely effective guided imagery, use self hypnosis techniques.

Osteoarthritis is an extremely common condition in the knee-joint which is sometimes called 'wear and tear.' It is a degenerative condition of the articular cartilage which is made worse by repetitive impact or previous injuries in the knee. It also tends to have a genetic component, meaning it runs in families. As the disease progresses, the cartilage itself becomes thinner and in some cases may wear away altogether.

A knee brace or support can be worn by people with arthritis in the knee-joint to help relieve the pressure on the joint surfaces and to ease pain and discomfort. There are many different types of knee brace and support available which may be suitable for arthritic knees. These can also vary considerably in price.

At the top end is the hinged 'offloader' (sometimes called 'unloader') type of brace, of which there are several designs and manufacturers. These are thought to be very effective in easing the symptoms of severe cases of unicompartmental osteoarthritis, where the arthritis affects only one side of the joint. These braces work by taking the load off the affected side and put more on the unaffected side. This may also help to delay the need for knee replacement surgery.

Whilst a offloader brace may be very effective, many people prefer to start with a lower level (and lower budget!) support to try this for arthritis pain relief before investing in a offloader brace.

Neoprene is thought to be the best material in a knee brace for arthritis pain relief. Neoprene is known for its compressive and heat retaining properties which help to increase blood flow to the area which in turn brings the nutrients required for healing. Wearing a neoprene support has also been shown to aid proprioception - the sense of positioning, co-ordination and balance at the joint. This is beneficial in preventing movements at the knee which could cause pain or injury.

Additional support can be given to the joint in the form of metal parts and extra straps. A stabilised support has lightweight metal stays embedded into the sides of the brace. These will help to give a sense of stability to the knee and will resist lateral and twisting movements which tend to aggravate the condition and risk other injuries.

At a higher level, a hinged neoprene brace has a solid hinge on each side of the knee. These give even more resistance against these types of movements, essentially preventing them altogether. The drawback of this kind of brace is of course the size and bulk of them, although this is usually still less than a offloader brace.

Comfort is of course the most important factor to consider when purchasing a knee brace for arthritis. They should always fit snugly around the knee-joint without being too tight around the thigh or calf. Wrap-around supports are available for those who prefer to be able to adjust the support, or where the knee swells up with activity.

A High Tibial Osteotomy is a descriptive term used to describe an operation used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. An osteotomy is the act of cutting a bone. 'High Tibial' details the location of this cut, the upper portion of the tibia or shin bone that forms the bottom half of the knee joint.

A high tibial osteotomy is used to treat unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. This means that the arthritic wear is confined to one half of the knee - either the inside, or outside of the joint. When arthritis wears down one side of the articular cartilage covering the ends of the bones, angulation occurs. This results in a disproportionate amount of body weight being taken through the worn side. This in turn leads to an increased rate of wear and an acceleration of symptoms such as pain, stiffness and swelling.

A high tibial osteotomy looks to realign the knee to evenly share weight between both the inside and outside of the knee. This is achieved by cutting the bone then either taking a wedge of bone out, or adding a wedge of bone in.

This type of surgery has a long recovery period as the cut essentially fractures the main weight bearing bone of the lower leg. Even after surgically fixing the bone in its new position, it is unable to take any weight for a significant period of time. This has a major implication for work, lifestyle and everyday activities.

This operation is not suitable for everyone but can be a valuable tool for those too young for a total knee replacement.

Unlike the common symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis where it occurs in the knee, hip, feet, hands and fingers - these two types of the disease can also flare up in the chest.

Both women and men can develop chest arthritis but for women it can be particularly uncomfortable.

When it spreads to the breast bone, simple functions like breathing, coughing, sneezing and laughing cause the lungs to press against this bone which creates pressure against the inflamed region.

Some women describe the feeling as similar to being given a bear hug, while lying down on ones side may provoke the same lung restricting pain.

However, if this restrictive feeling is just starting to affect you and you haven't been diagnosed as of yet, you could well be experiencing Costochondritis.

This is not incurable and may go away after a few weeks or months, but the symptoms are very similar, but this time it's just a temporary inflammation of the cartilage of the breast and ribs that are causing the chest pain.

If unfortunately this isn't the case and the cartilage attached to the breast bone continues to flare up then there are a combination of treatments that may work for you:

Treating Arthritis in the Chest:

1. Minocycline

This is in fact used to treat severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, but sometimes when breathing can become so restricted that it becomes life threatening, then Minocycline may be prescribed to treat osteoarthritis in the chest.

Some patients may go on using this indefinitely, so bear in mind it is an NSAID and there will be risks involved if used long-term, but for short term-term it may provide the relief you need.

2. Cortisone injection

A steroid injection into the swollen cartilage to reduce the inflammation may provide the relief you need if it's flared up.

You may only need this once or not, impossible to tell with this disease.

3. Tylenol Extra Strength

Supposedly, this is one of the few NSAID's that work well for chest arthritis.

Celebrex was also once touted as an effective NSAID, but this has now been taken off the shelf due to the inherent health risks patients experienced, so be careful using any NSAID long-term.

4. FDA homeopathic pain relievers

If the pain isn't too unbearable then FDA homeopathic natural supplements are as good if not better than most NSAIDs, plus they're completely safe and are used long-term.

The common ingredients now most people are familiar with are Glucosamine Complex, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM.

They work on three fronts.

They alleviate the swelling, reduce the pain and help re-build bone density.

Earlier this year I decided to take "The Plunge." I asked her last December 2008 to marry me. She said, "Yes!" Then in September of this year (2009) we both said, "I do!"

Everything before the wedding was a blur, then the wedding, even fuzzier & faster, then the honeymoon. She decided to pick the location for our honeymoon.

It was a combination of honeymoon and present to herself she promised she would take after finishing her PhD in physiology earlier this year.

Our conversation went something like this:

Me: "Where do you want to go on the honeymoon?"

My Wife: "Nepal"

Me: "What's there?" (Not having brushed up on my geography I found Nepal to be a small kidney shaped country wedged between India and Tibet/China)

My Wife: "The Himalayas - We are going to go trekking."

Me: "Isn't that like hiking?"

My Wife: "Yes, however, it lasts for a few days."

Me: "How many days?"

My Wife: "Well this particular trek lasts between 18-20 days. It is called the Annapurna Circuit which is 150 miles/220 KM around the Annapurna Mountain range in the Himalayas which among other things goes over the highest pass in the world (Throlong Pass 5,416 meters/ 16,000 feet)"

I was pretty flippant in my response...

Me: "Sure honey, that sounds fine to me."

What I didn't take into consideration is my wife is German and lived in Switzerland for a number of years and worked for the Alpine Mountain Rescue Team in the Swiss Alps for a period of time. Basically this means there are certain things that she just knows about mountains that she wouldn't even know to tell me to get ready for on a trip like this. Of course there were questions that I didn't even know to ask as well. However, I am usually up for an adventure so off we went to Nepal...

This would truly be a test to see if I knew what I was talking about regarding chronic knee pain as well as see how my knee would hold up in the rugged terrain of the largest and tallest mountain range in the world!

I thought back a few years...Yes, in 2001 I rode my bicycle across the United States by myself in 1,700 mile trip. But that was pretty controlled; my knees just had to pedal in circles. This new challenge would require my legs to balance on uneven unstable ground, hike for 5-7 hours per day, up and down mountain sides for days at a time while dealing with heat, cold and how my body would respond to the effects of altitude.

I really wasn't sure how my knees would hold up...I was soon to find out...

The first day only consisted of hiking for a couple of hours. It went well and I didn't think much of it. So the 2nd & 3rd days I decided I was going to show everyone, including myself how well I could do. I went up the side of the particular mountain we were on like I was on the stair stepper at the gym. I tried to keep this pace up for 2 days while the rest of my group trudged away at the trail. I would be the first to the rest area, waiting for the rest of my group to get there. Then I couldn't wait to get back on the trail first.

I kept this up for 2 days! By the end of the second day my legs, including my knees felt horrible! I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Everything that I teach my clients and write in my books about my "D-BEST model" weren't working.

I was Drinking plenty of water
I was Breathing properly
I was Eating plenty of fresh, natural foods prepared from the local gardens daily
I was Stretching properly in the evenings and when we took breaks throughout the day and...
I was Training my tendons and ligaments with all of the hiking

I was stumped and confused as to what to do...

Then my wife made the comment, "The mountain isn't in a hurry."

...and things started clicking into place for me.

I began to pay attention to our trekking guide. Her pace, the way she walked, her attitude. I realized I was doing it all wrong!

My pace was too fast! The way I was walking was "too straight up the hill" and my attitude was "too aggressive and hurried."

I needed to slow my body and my mind down while at the same time use "body's structure" to hike. The old story of the "Tortoise & The Hare" came to mind. "Slow & Steady Wins The Race."

So I got up on the morning of the fourth day and decided to keep a slow pace and just focus on proper breathing the entire day. And you know what? I wasn't as tired at the end of the fourth day and as an extra added bonus my legs didn't hurt so bad either. As a matter of fact they even improved while walking all the rugged terrain the Himalayas of Nepal had to offer over the next 16 days of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Who would have thought with everything else being equal that "consistent exercise" would actually make my knee pain go away not to mention my honeymoon more enjoyable!

Knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which the physician replaces the weight-bearing parts of the knee joint. Surgical doctors perform this on patients suffering from joint pains, osteoarthritis. Even psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients could undergo this procedure. In such patients, there is incredible inflammation or severe pain in the knee joint. This makes daily movement very difficult also, over duration of time.

This mostly happens with age due to wear and tear of the knee joint. Apart from osteoporosis, knee pain could also be due to cartilage defects, ligament tears or meniscus tears. To replace the damaged or diseased joint surface, one uses plastic and metal components shaped to facilitate the motion of knee. There can be total or partial knee replacement. In gender specific knee replacement for women, implants specially designed to cater for women are used. The woman's knee is different in shape compared to a man's.

The gender specific knee replacement has improved the overall function of knee implants in women. With the woman's special knee implants, women patients have been relieved from pain largely. Moreover, they feel the functionality the natural knee after the surgery. The results are much better than the non-gender knees or the common traditional knees used on women ages ago. The design used by women only is the woman's special knee and in 2006, they introduced it in the US.

The anatomy of a male body is different from a female's body. The application of this has been recently in the designing of orthopedic implants. The basis of the gender specific knee is from a fact. That is the femur or the thighbone in case of women is narrow from the side. In case of men, the kneecap rests on a comparatively more oblique line. In addition, the front of the thighbone at the lower end is not as prominent as in case of men. Hence, knee replacement for women with women special knee has proved to be more comfortable and beneficial.

The surgical procedure of knee replacement is same in both the genders. However, with the gender specific knee, the hospital stay gets shorter. Therefore, there are several advantages of the gender specific knee replacement. It is widely used at present and the results are very positive and encouraging. The knee implant surgery for women, performed through the minimal invasive surgery is real because of the various tests that proof it. It is a successful procedure.

The incision on the knee is only 4-5 inches long. Apart from this, there is high flexion in case of woman knee prosthesis. There is a significant reduction in the post-operative pain and due to this, your stay in the hospital could shorten. The knee replacement for women is a major break-through for replacement knee surgeries in women. With advancement in technology, the new prosthesis specially designed for women has given relief to scores of women worldwide. This innovation has proved to be extremely beneficial for women.