Everything Arthritis

I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and my doctor has recommended infliximab. Should I go for it?

2011-05-14T04:57:00.001-07:00

Infliximab is a newer disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug. It works by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha. So far, most people who have undergone treatment with infliximab indicate that the drug is great. It is administered as an injection every few weeks. The symptom improval is marked and it also slows down progression of disease. The only negative is the cost.

I have developed osteoarthritis in both my knees and my doctor recommends glucosamine. Should I use glucosamine. Does this work?

2011-05-14T04:50:00.001-07:00

To put it in simple language- Glucosamine is about as good as drinking your own urine. It is crap. Doctors and other health professional have been selling glucosamine to consumers just to make money. There is not a single study which shows that glucosamine is effective for osteoarthritis. Sports personalities say positive things about glucosamine because they are paid millions of dollars to promote fake products. Glucosamine does not decrease pain nor does it prevent progression of arthritis. So save your money for something that works. And please change your doctor –anyone who recommends bogus therapies to patients is a scoundrel.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and my doctor says that I should start to eat a vegan diet to relieve the pain. Will this help?

2011-04-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

Your doctor is a first rate idiot who knows nothing about arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a very complex disorder that tends to affect joints and many other organs in the body. The disorder can lead to joint deformities, is painful and leads to a very poor quality of life. There is no cure for this disorder and all the treatments are aimed at relieving pain and joint stiffness. Over the years, many diet regimens have been explored. The Mediterranean diet, the vegan diet, elemental diet, low protein, high protein, high carb, low carb diets have all been investigated. Others have eliminated certain foods from their diet and yet other have added a variety of healthy supplements.

In every single case, the data on diets has been conflicting and irreproducible. In most studies the dropout rates were high because of the restrictive nature of the diets. As of today, diet has very little influence on the course of rheumatoid arthritis. If you have common sense, dump your doctor, go see a rheumatologist who practices real medicine and does not believe in fairy tales.

I have severe osteoarthritis of my knee and my doctor says I should take glucosamine. What do you think?

2011-02-12T16:48:00.001-08:00

Osteoarthritis is a common disorder in the North American population and often affects the hips, knees, shoulder and hand. In osteoarthritis, the basic problem is that the cartilage that protects the two ends of the bone breaks down. This results in pain and swelling of the joint. So far, there is no cure for this condition. Pain medications and surgery are the only two available treatments. Now some health care professional recommend glucosamine. This health supplement is available as a pill and is often combined with chondroitin. The daily dose varies from 1000-3000 mg per day. Glucosamine is available without a prescription. But does it work?

Evaluation of recent studies indicates that glucosamine was worse than a fake pill. It did jack shit. In fact, people who took the sugar pill had more pain relief that glucosamine. In simple words, glucosamine is just another fraud, like the weight loss pills. It does nothing. The only relief you get is that your pockets are now empty of you hard earned money. If you have osteoarthritis, save your money for something that works or get yourself a reputable doctor who does not own shares of glucosamine or chondroitin.

Can botox injections help my arthritic pain?

2011-01-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

Botox mania has really caught on in America. While the drug is useful for some headaches and wrinkles, there are some people who claim that it may also work by relieving arthritis pain. So far, only a few anecdotal reports exists about botox and arthritis.

However, the amount of botox injected is significant and the pain relief obtained is only of short duration. Moreover, the pain relief is not observed by all people with arthritis. In addition, you also have to consider the cost of Botox- the more you get injected, the bigger the bill. Botox works by blocking the ability of muscles to contract and so how it relieves pain in the joints is unknown.

Botox is not a cure for any type of arthritis nor is it a replacement for the traditional arthritic medication. Right now, I would not recommend botox because it appears that the only people who are promoting it are those who sell the therapy and some of these are unscrupulous doctors.

What I would recommend though, is exercise on a regular basis, reduce your weight and continue with whatever medication you have been prescribed.

What are risk factors for arthritis?

2011-01-01T17:48:00.000-08:00

There are several risk factors for arthritis. These include the following:

Family history is not important for osteoarthritis but appears to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis. If your parents had rheumatoid arthritis, then it is likely that you may also develop the same disorder. Not everyone, though, in the family develop rheumatoid arthritis.

For osteoarthritis, age is a risk factor. As you age, the general wear and tear of the joints is progressive. Women generally are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Anyone who has had a prior joint injury while playing sports or from a fall is more at risk for developing osteoarthritis later in life. This is commonly seen in athletes who often have severe arthritis of the wrist, ankles and knee later in life.

Obesity is a big risk factor for many medical disorders and also for arthritis. The excess weight puts a lot of stress on the weight bearing joints. Most obese people tend to develop osteoarthritis early in life.

What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

2011-01-01T17:37:00.001-08:00

Osteoarthritis is due to the general wear and tear of the joint from daily living activities. The bones grind against each other and lead to destruction of the cartilage. This wear and tear happens in everyone but can be hastened by joint injury, obesity or infection. Osteoarthritis usually affects the large joints of the body like the knee, hip or spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs because of some problem with the immune system. For some unknown reason, the body’s defense mechanism starts to attack the joint structures causing inflammation, redness and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a progressive disease and can be very deforming. It tends to affect small joints and is usually bilateral and symmetrical. For example, fingers on both hands may be affected at the same time.

Neither condition is curable and all treatments only deal with the symptoms.

My doctor has given me an antibitoic for my rheumatoid arthritis? Will it help?

2010-11-25T04:46:00.000-08:00

Well, the first thing you need to do is change your doctor. There was a time when it was believed that rheumatoid arthritis was due to an infection.

Many doctors used to prescribe tetracyclines for rheumatoid arthritis. This was based on pure speculation and today we know different. There is not one piece of evidence linking rheumatoid arthritis to any bacterial or viral organism. However, some old fashioned doctors continue this antibiotic therapy, more out of ignorance rather than anything else.

There is no proof that rheumatoid arthritis is due to an infection and no one has ever been cured of his or her disease with an antibiotic. Today, there are far better and more effective therapies for rheumatoid arthritis than tetracyclines. So get yourself a new doctor or search online for a reputable rheumatologist.

Can I use apple cider vinegar for my arthritis?

2010-11-25T04:40:00.000-08:00

Sure you can use anything you want, but the question is does it work?

While some people report that apple cider vinegar is good for arthritis, these are unconfirmed reports. There are no clinical studies which show that apple cider vinegar actually works for arthritis or for that matter any other disease.

We live in a society where charlatans continually make up fictitious claims to make money from desperately ill patients. So far there is no dietary healthy supplement that helps relieve pain or swelling in arthritis. Even glucosamine has been proven to be junk.

Therefore, for the moment all apple cider vinegar will do for you is quench your thirst. If you want your arthritis to get better, go and see a real doctor.

How does one treat plantar fasciitis?

2010-10-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

In the majority of cases, conservative treatment is adequate to cure the condition. Non-surgical treatments include night splints, crutches, specially designed arch supports and physical therapy. Most individuals do require some type of pain medication. If this fails, injection of corticosteroids may help. Recently extracorporeal shock wave therapy has also been found to be helpful in some individuals.

What is role of surgery?

Surgery is extremely rare and never the first choice. If your doctor recommends surgery then you need to get a new doctor. There is no surgical procedure that can help relieve the pain from plantar fasciitis, but you can rest assured, surgery can make your foot worse. The best way to avoid plantar fasciitis is to maintain a healthy weight, wear decent shoes and warm up slowly prior to starting a new exercise program.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

2010-10-15T17:40:00.001-07:00

The causes of plantar fasciitis are many. Normally the plantar fascia acts like a shock absorber but if it is exposed to too much tension, the fascia develops small tears. The most common causes include:

Intense Physical activity: Plantar fasciitis is common in athletes such as joggers or long distance runners. Even standing all day or lifting weights can cause stress on the heel.

Arthritis: In some individuals, it is believed that arthritis along the tendon may lead to plantar fasciitis.

Diabetes: For some unknown reason plantar fasciitis is quite common in diabetics

Anatomy: Some individuals with flat foot or a high arch are also prone to developing plantar fasciitis

Poor shoe wear: Shoes that are thin soled or lack arch support increase the chance of developing plantar fasciitis.

Female sex: Females are more likely to have this disorder and it is most likely related to their elegant but uncomfortable shoes or sandals.

The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis involves a physical exam and a radiological test to ensure that one does not have a one spur.

What is plantar fasciitis?

2010-10-15T17:39:00.001-07:00

Plantar fasciitis or heel pain is a common medical ailment in millions of individuals. The pain of plantar fasciitis is worse in the morning and burning in nature. As the individual starts to move around in the day time, the pain decreases but may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a resting or seating position. Most individuals who develop plantar fasciitis are active in sports, middle aged, slightly overweight or pregnant.

What are symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The classic symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain which comes on gradually. It is a burning pain and often sharp. The pain is often worse the first thing in the morning. In a few individuals, it may be associated with swelling around the heel.

Bunions and Surgery

2010-10-15T15:22:00.002-07:00

What is role of surgery?

When all the above non-surgical treatments fail, surgery may be the only other alternative. Surgery involves removal of the swollen tissues and realigning the toe.

However, surgery is not always successful and bunions can recur. Recovery after surgery can take a few weeks and the course is also marked by difficulty in ambulation. Moreover, surgery requires time off from work, there is significant pain afterwards and the results are not guaranteed. More often than not, you will be worse off than what you started off. Finally, a number of orthopedic surgeons who do bunionectomy have poor technical skills. If you do decide to go for surgery, choose your surgeon well. There are no refunds for cock-ups., which are common in bone surgery.

Physical therapy includes wearing splints, ultrasound or whirlpool baths can help soothe the pain and assist in ambulation. There are a variety of splints available and they do help relieve pain. Often shoe inserts can help control abnormal movement of the foot. Shoe inserts can be acquired with or without a prescription

To prevent recurrences one should wear proper shoes and avoid high heels. The best advice for patients with bunions is to rest, limit activity, which worsens the symptoms, and obtain proper shoe wear.

More About Bunions

2010-10-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

How is the diagnosis of bunion made?

The diagnosis of a bunion is straightforward. The physical exam is almost always diagnostic but most physicians will obtain x-rays to confirm integrity of the joint and presence of any underlying condition like arthritis or gout. Prior to any surgery, x-rays are essential.

How are bunions treated?

The earlier one seeks treatment, the less the chance of developing joint deformity. The treatment of bunions involves:

Rest and changes of shoes. Wearing wide shoes or sandals may help relieve pressure on the toe joint. There are many shoes, which are specially designed for bunions. One can even pad shoes around the toes to relieve pain and eliminate stress

Wear shoes that are comfortable and have plenty of toe space

The pain of a bunion is easily controlled with over the counter pain medications. Often some people find that applying a cold ice pack can relieve the swelling and joint pain.

In the majority of cases, conservative measures can help relieve the symptoms. However, a few percent of affected individuals find no relief from the above measures and may require alteration in foot care.

Injection of corticosteroids is widely done but only offers temporary relief. Less than 20% of patients with bunions benefit from steroid injections

What is a bunion?

2010-10-15T15:21:00.001-07:00

A bunion is a localized swelling or enlargement of the outer portion of the joint of the big toe. The enlargement is due to additional bone formation often with a combination with misalignment of the toe joint. The toe joint becomes enlarged, distorted and crowds the other toes. The outward pressure of the joint gradually increases, leading to pain and an abnormal profile of the foot. The condition usually progresses slowly but is visibly obvious. The majority of individuals who develop a bunion complain of pain in the big toe.

What causes a bunion?

Bunions are common in women and this is most likely associated with the wearing of tight fitting shoes, especially high heel shoes with narrow toes. Overall, bunions are more common in people who wear shoes compared to those who are barefoot. There does appear to be a genetic link that predisposes one to bunion formation. Other risk factors that may contribute to bunion formation include abnormal joint anatomy, nerve injury, rheumatoid arthritis or some type of traumatic injury to the foot; bunions are also far more common in dancers and sports athletes who wear tight shoes. Individual with flat feet and arthritis also have a tendency to develop bunions.

What are symptoms of a bunion?

While some bunions may not cause symptoms, the majority of individuals will complain of pain on walking or while wearing tight shoes. Once the pain starts in the joint, it will always progress if the shoes are not altered.

Associated with pain is the presence of toe swelling, redness and abnormal alignment of the joint.

Bunions are also very unattractive and limit the type of shoe wear

When a bunion is long standing, it may result in formation of corns and calluses at the side of the big toe.

Both Chondroitin and Glucosamine are JUNK THERAPY for Osteoarthritis

2010-10-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

For all sufferers of arthritis, finally this is the study that will convince you that your doctors have been giving you a lot of false hope. Simply put in one sentence- neither glucosamine nor chondroitin have any benefit for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

Both chondroitin and glucosamine supplements bring in billions of dollars to both health professionals and to the health food supplement industry. Worldwide sales of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements reached nearly $ 3 billion in 2008 and the numbers are increasing each year.

Some doctors prescribe injections of these supplements, others give you oral tablets and yet others give you topical pastes. No matter what formula you buy, these supplements only do one thing- empty your pockets of hard earned money.

The latest study from Bern, Switzerland reveals that both glucosamine and chondroitin have no benefit in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. In the Swiss study, researchers looked at 3,800 individual who regularly took glucosamine and or chondroitin. The researchers looked at levels of pain and function and compared the results to a placebo. The chief researcher, Dr Peter Juni said, "Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin and their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space. Moreover, he went on to add that, "Health authorities and health insurers should be discouraged from funding glucosamine and chondroitin treatment."

Both Glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally occurring body substances that make up cartilage. Cartilage functions like a shock absorber in the joints and prevents bones from rubbing against each other. For decades, some researchers have suggested that taking these supplements would help growth of new cartilage. However, so far no one has ever shown that taking glucosamine and/or chondroitin can increase growth of new cartilage. The only growth seen has been in the finances of health professionals who sell and recommend such products.

The British and European guidelines on osteoarthritis are well defined. Doctors have been told that there is not one piece of evidence that these supplements work for osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, some doctors in North America are generally more interested in making money from selling false dreams and continue to recommend these products. For individuals who want to consider an over the counter supplements, think twice. Most of these supplements are made in the Orient where fakes and counterfeit products are the name of the game.

Finally, if you eat a well balanced diet, walk regularly and do not have any bad habits like excess drinking or smoking, then you do not need any supplements.