Missteps are not a vision problem

September 1st — admin

I notice as I get older that I seem to misstep when climbing unfamiliar steps or stepping down off curbs. My vision is perfectly fine. The problem seems to be my knees. What could be causing this?

As we all know, there are many changes that occur with aging. Overall posture starts to change. We aren’t as stable in the upright position as we once were. Around the knee the quadriceps muscle strength is less. Aging often brings arthritic changes that affect the knee.

At the same time there is a reduced amount of joint position sense. Position sense (knowing where the joint is in space) is called proprioception. Scientists aren’t sure what comes first, the arthritis or the decreased proprioception.

It’s even possible that arthritic and disc changes in the neck can lead to changes in knee proprioception. One study has shown that patients with pressure on the spinal cord in the neck have altered knee proprioception. Another study confirms that patients with arthritis in one knee have decreased joint position sense in the other knee.

More study is needed to sort these factors out. In the meantime, make an appointment with your family doctor. It might be a good idea to rule out anything more serious going on and get a baseline. You may just need a conditioning or strengthening program.

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.

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Could arthritic knee cancel exercise program?

August 6th — admin

I joined a group of seniors in an exercise group at the local seniors’ center. I was doing good until last week when my arthritic knee started acting up again. Does this mean I just won’t be able to exercise anymore?

Not at all. You may have just done a bit too much or progressed your exercises too fast. Once your arthritic symptoms are under control, try again. Start at a very slow pace with only a few repetitions of each exercise. Wait a day to see how you feel. Most people don’t know they’ve done too much while they are exercising. It’s not until 24 to 36 hours later that the body shows signs of distress from overdoing it.

Give some thought to the kind of exercise you are doing. Arthritic knees do respond well to the right kind of movement and exercise. Using a stationary bike is a good idea. This keeps the knee in a straight plane of motion without any twisting motions. It keeps the joint moving through its range of motion without the weight of your body putting a load on it.

An aquatics program is also ideal. If you have one in your area, this is an excellent way to exercise while “unloading” or taking the pressure off the joint. In the pool, the effects of gravity are eliminated. At the same time, the joint is supported by the buoyancy and warmth of the water.

If none of these options work for you, see your doctor or a physical therapist. They are trained to find out what exercise is best for each individual based on their age, weight, overall health, and level of fitness.

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.

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Double hip replacement an option?

June 7th — admin

I have pretty bad hip arthritis. The doctor is going to do a hip replacement on the worst side first. The other side isn’t really too good. How will I manage with one bum hip and the other one just operated on?

You may want to ask your doctor about having both hips done at the same time. If you are in good health and qualify, this may be the best option for you. Without the stiffness and pain on the nonoperative side after a single replacement, you can move along faster in rehab, too!

There’s also a cost savings. Even though you’ll be in the hospital longer than if only one hip was done at a time, the overall number of days is less when both hips are done together.

You can have bilateral hip replacements in one of three ways. First, they can both be done in the same surgery. Second, you could do one and finish rehab before having the second one done. There’s usually at least six to eight weeks between operations. Some people wait longer. Third, you could have one hip done and wait five to seven days. If your health is stable and you’re up for it then have the second one done. With this third method, you don’t leave the hospital between operations.

If you still opt for one hip replacement at a time, then a physical therapist will help you. Your home may need to be adapted to make toileting, bathing, sleeping, and household chores easier. You will likely need a family member or live-in assistant for a few days to weeks, depending on the speed of your recovery.

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.

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How can having a total hip replacement improve my sleep?

March 10th — admin

I’ve been dealing with an arthritic hip for years. Now it’s affecting my sleep. I heard that having a total hip replacement could help me sleep better. How does that work?

Arthritis sufferers are known to have poor sleep patterns caused by pain. Conditions such as osteoarthritis are a common source of hip pain in the older adult.

A recent study in New Zealand showed that sleep is improved after hip joint replacement. All patients had painful symptoms from arthritis that woke them up at night. Less hip pain after the operation meant better sleep. If the patients were awakened from sleep, it was for some other reason than from hip pain.

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.

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How did I get adhesive capsulitis – a frozen shoulder?

September 25th — admin
My doctor diagnosed my tight shoulder as “adhesive capsulitis.” What is this, and how did it happen?

 
Adhesive capsulitis, also called “frozen shoulder,” is a condition in which the shoulder becomes tight and painful, making it difficult to do daily activities.

With frozen shoulder, inflammation in the joint causes the lining surrounding the joint to stick together. This causes the shoulder to “freeze” and seriously limits movement.

It’s hard to say how you got a frozen shoulder. Most cases can’t be traced to one event. One theory is that this condition is caused by an auto-immune reaction. An auto-immune reaction happens when the body’s defense system, which normally protects it from infection, mistakenly begins to attack the tissues of the body.

A frozen shoulder may arise gradually, with no injury or warning. It sometimes happens to people who’ve had past shoulder problems, such as rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis. Others are affected after surgeries unrelated to the shoulder–even after heart attacks. The condition likely results when pain or inflammation in the shoulder causes a person to start using the shoulder less, setting the stage for a frozen shoulder.

 
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. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

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Will sprained knee lead to arthritis?

September 4th — admin

I twisted and sprained my knee badly back in high school. I read once that having a bad knee injury can cause knee arthritis later in life. If so, I’m wondering if there is anything I can do now so I don’t end up with knee arthritis.

People who have had a significant injury of the knee joint may have a greater risk for knee arthritis in later years. Prevention includes safe exercises that focus on improving and maintaining joint movement and muscle strength. Stay active in a low-impact conditioning program, such as walking. To help reduce shock with day-to-day activities, wear supportive shoes, and consider the addition of an insole to help absorb shock. Walk on soft surfaces when possible, and avoid standing and walking for long periods on hard surfaces, such as cement. You might also consider choosing sport and recreational activities that don’t require cutting, jumping, and quick starts and stops. The time and effort you invest now to improve the health of your knee and avoid future problems are worth it.

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. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

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Football injury could result in bruised bone.

September 3rd — admin
One of the ligaments inside my knee was injured in a recent football game. I’m wondering about the knee bones. My biology teacher said ligaments are attached to bones. Do the bones get hurt, too?

 
Good job thinking it through! In fact, bones are often bruised when the ligaments that attach to them get torn. These “bruises” can’t be seen on an X-ray. They can be seen with MRI scans. A bone bruise is like a small fracture of the bone. Most bruises will go away completely. But it’s still unclear what the bone injury will mean in the long term.

Scientists are concerned that the initial bone injury eventually causes the bone to become less resilient–less “bouncy.” With the shock absorbers down, the cartilage that covers the knee joint ends up taking more force. This can take a toll on the joint surfaces, and may lead to arthritic changes in the knee joint.

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. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com 

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Is there a link between leukemia and metal joint implants?

August 24th — admin
Is there any connection between leukemia and metal implants used for joint replacement? I know it sounds like a long shot but my father was just diagnosed with leukemia. His blood work has shown elevated levels of chromium in the past. The doctor always thought this was from his metal hip joint replacement but didn’t think it was a problem. Could there be a link?

 
Implants made of metal have a thin coating around them to prevent flecks of metal from going into the body and blood stream. This coating can breakdown, releasing potentially toxic chemicals into the body.

Several studies have been done that show an increased number of patients with metal hip implants developing cancer. Leukemia and lymphoma are the two types of cancer seen in patients with cobalt-alloy total joint replacements. The same has been reported for metal-on-metal hip replacement.

There’s no proof yet that the metals are the problem. More study is needed before we know for sure.

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. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com 

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Why can't I lift my arms fully over my head?

August 6th — admin

At 69 years old, I’m in relatively good health. But ever since I was in my mid-40s, I have noticed increased joint stiffness, and now I can’t lift my arms fully over my head. Is this normal? What’s preventing me from having full motion?

Muscle and joint stiffness is very common in older adults. It is not clear whether this occurs as a consequence of aging, inactivity, degenerative disease, adhesion (glue-like) molecules in the tissues, or a combination of all these things. Having enough muscle bulk and strength is necessary for full joint motion. This requires healthy muscles and tendons with a good blood supply. Without these, raising the arms completely overhead becomes a challenge. Nutrition is important, and a strength-training program is recommended. Exercises will help offset the loss in muscle mass and strength typical of normal aging. Discuss this situation with your doctor. It is important to make sure nothing more serious is causing these changes. Ask about seeing a physical therapist for a muscle-strengthening program. This can improve your movement and flexibility while preventing reconditioning. Taking these steps now can help prevent future injuries.

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. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com

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Can glucosamine and chondroitin really ease the pain in my knees?

July 16th — admin
My doctor said that X-rays of my knee show that the cartilage is gone in my knee joint. Now that I’ve been taking glucosamine and chondroitin, my pain is better, and I feel I can do more during the day. Could the benefits I feel be coming from these supplements?

 
If no other treatments are being done at the same time, you are most likely getting results from the supplements. The benefits you report are similar to what others are saying, and there’s evidence that these supplements can help with osteoarthritis of the knee. However, since they are relatively new, there hasn’t been a lot of research done on them yet. Also, most of the studies that have been done tested them over a short time period, about four to six weeks. Some of the methods used to test them give exaggerated estimates of how beneficial these supplements really are. And because manufacturers have sponsored most of the scientific studies on these products, it’s possible that some of the reported benefits might be inflated. There is enough evidence, however, to show that these supplements are safe, offer some benefits, and certainly have a role in treating knee osteoarthritis.

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. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com 

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