Do injections to lubricate the knee really work?

March 11, 2010 — admin

I heard a report that knee injections to lubricate the joint are more and more popular. Do they work? And how?

Hyaluronic acid (HA) can be injected into the knee to restore the joint’s ability to move and glide easily. The knee already has some of its own HA. By injecting more, the HA already in the joint improves the flow of the synovial fluid. Injected HA also helps keep the naturally present HA from breaking down.

Overall, studies show that HA is both safe and effective. It seems to work better for younger patients (under 65 years) and for patients with only mild to moderate disease. Patients with severe osteoarthritis may not have any natural lubrication left in the joint. It seems without some HA, the injection doesn’t work as well.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , , . No Comments »

What does “advanced” osteoarthritis mean?

March 8, 2010 — admin

My doctor told me I have advanced osteoarthritis. What does this mean?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is staged according to how much damage has occurred in the joint and how much joint space is left. X-rays are used most often to stage OA. In advanced stages of OA, there is a complete loss of joint space.

The femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (lower leg bone) have no cushion between them. When you use the knee, the bones slide across each other without any protection or lubrication. We call this bone-on-bone.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , , . No Comments »

Are stem cells used to grow cartilage?

March 3, 2010 — admin

I’ve heard there’s a way to regrow torn cartilage in the knee. Are they using stem cells to do this?

Not yet. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have tried using stem cells to grow into tissue that’s like cartilage. They are testing a method injecting fluid filled with stem cells into the joint. The liquid hardens into a stable gel when placed under a special light. Stem cells inside the gel start to multiply and form new cartilage. So far only animals have been used in these studies.

In the meantime, doctors have found two other ways to get cartilage to repair itself. The first is called microfracture. Surgeons use a blunt awl (a tool for making small holes) to poke a few tiny holes in the bone under the cartilage. This causes new tissue, mainly scar tissue, to grow and fill in the holes.

The second is autologous chondrocyte implantation. Normal, healthy cartilage cells are taken out of the knee. They are sent to a special lab where more cells are grown from the original cells. The new batch of cells are put into the joint surface where the damage is located.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , , . No Comments »

Is it possible to have bursitis of the knee?

February 24, 2010 — admin

Is it possible to have bursitis of the knee? I’ve had shoulder bursitis. Now my knee is acting up much the same way.

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac placed between two structures to help cushion friction during movement. Usually it’s located between a tendon and the bone. The bursa cushions the tendon as it moves over the bone. Sometimes there’s a bursa between two ligaments.

In bursitis the bursa gets inflamed. The patient has pain mostly on movement. The most common cause is repeated motion. Arthritis, infection, and injury can also cause bursitis. Bursitis occurs more often with aging as the bursa becomes thinner and dried out.

Problems with bursitis occur in the feet, hips, knees, shoulder, and elbows. There are several bursae around the knee joint. Kneeling is a common cause of one type of knee bursitis. This is sometimes called housemaid’s knee. Another type of bursitis occurs most often in people who install carpet, but anyone can get bursitis of the knee.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: . No Comments »

How old is too old for a total knee replacement?

February 19, 2010 — admin

My 92-year old mother has severe knee arthritis. It seems to me she could sure benefit from a knee replacement. Is she too old?

Maybe not! A recent study from Mayo Clinic reports good results for adults over age 90 getting their first total knee replacement (TKR). They also report on patients ages 90 to 102 who had a repair or replacement of a previous TKR.

Doctors are expecting to see more and more adults in their 90s (and older) outliving the TKR put in when they were in their 70s. Likewise, as more people live longer, first timers in need of a joint replacement may show up in their 90s.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , , . No Comments »

Early detection of arthritis in knees essential

February 16, 2010 — admin

I have knee arthritis on the left side. I can do everything my friends can do, it just takes me longer. Should I be concerned?

It’s natural to wonder and worry when we start to see signs of change with aging or disease. Keeping active is the key to maintaining physical function. Taking longer to complete a task may be a sign of early decline in strength, balance, and motion. These three things are very important to our independence.

There are some tests of overall function. These measure several types of activities from dressing and bathing to more active forms of exercise. The presence of pain, general health, and mental attitude are also part of the picture.

If you are noticing some changes and have some concerns, see your doctor for a check-up. Early detection and prevention of problems is essential in keeping our good health for as long as possible.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , . No Comments »

Arthroscopy may be answer to cyst removal at knee joint

February 8, 2010 — admin

I’ve had the fluid removed from a cyst behind my knee twice now. Why does it keep coming back?

Doctors think there are several reasons for this. First, the cysts have thick walls with twisted, deep roots. The body can’t dissolve or absorb this tissue. There’s also a valve between the cyst and the joint. This opening allows fluid to move from the joint into the cyst.

Often other damage in the knee adds to the problem. A new study by two doctors in South Korea report better results for cyst removal using arthroscopy. A special tool with a tiny TV camera is inserted into the cyst. The fluid is taken out. Then the cyst wall is removed with a motorized shaver. Any other damage in the joint is repaired at the same time. They’ve had 100 percent success in treating cysts this way.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , . No Comments »

Knee surgery video reveals lots of tools in use, but how?

February 3, 2010 — admin

I had some pretty fancy surgery done last week inside my knee joint. The doctor gave me a video of the entire operation. What I can’t figure out is how they got all those tools I saw on the video inside my knee. What can you tell me?

It sounds like your surgeon used an arthroscope to enter the joint. This long, slender tool pokes through the skin and tissue right into the knee joint. A tiny TV camera on the end allows the physician to see inside the joint.

There’s a special part of the arthroscope called a cannula. The cannula can be a rigid or flexible tube. It’s used to drain fluid or guide other instruments into the joint.

New tools have been made for arthroscopic surgery. There are forceps, shavers, measuring rods, and even tiny drills that can pass through the cannula. Once inside, the doctor uses special foot pedals and hand held devices to guide the camera and operate the tools. Frayed tissue can be shaved smooth. Torn cartilage can be sewn or glued back down. Bone chips can be removed and so on.

You can watch a total knee replacement surgery and get more information on Dr. Zehr’s Web site.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , , . No Comments »

Tibial plateau fracture may lead to total knee replacement

January 26, 2010 — admin

What is a tibial plateau fracture and what’s the final outcome with proper treatment?

The tibia is the lower leg bone between the ankle and the knee. The tibial plateau is at the top of the tibia. It’s the surface where the upper leg bone rests on the tibia. In other words, the tibial plateau is the bottom surface of the knee joint.

A fracture in this area can be treated with or without surgery. This depends on how severe it is and whether or not there is another injury with it. A torn ligament or a second fracture may also require surgery.

Over the years, studies have shown that tibial plateau fractures result in arthritis. A total knee replacement (TKR) may be needed. The final outcome isn’t as good for patients receiving a TKR without a previous fracture. The operation can be very complex.

Results are good when the doctor is aware of these problems and plans carefully.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , , , , . No Comments »

Will I be able to climb stairs after my total knee replacement?

January 21, 2010 — admin

I had a total knee replacement five months ago. I can walk just fine, but I still can’t climb the two stairs in front of my house. Will I ever be able to do this?

Stair climbing is a difficult skill for many people who have had total knee replacement. This is true even one year after surgery. After surgery, the support from leg muscles is only one-third of the strength and force needed to climb stairs.

Bring your concern to your doctor’s attention. A physical therapist can help you begin an exercise program specifically designed to assist you with stairs. If you saw a physical therapist during your recovery from surgery, do not hesitate to contact the therapist and request additional services.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Posted in Knees. Tags: , , . No Comments »
« Older posts