How can having a total hip replacement improve my sleep?

March 10, 2010 — 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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Uneven wear in hip joint replacement result of third-body wear.

March 5, 2010 — admin

I had a joint hip replacement for severe arthritis three years ago. The doctor tells me that “third-body wear” is likely the cause of some uneven wear in the joint. What does this mean?

When patients with hip joint replacements are compared, there are very different results in wear patterns of the new joint. This is true even when the same replacement parts are used from patient to patient.

In fact, one study looked at patients with both hips replaced using the same implant. The researchers compared one side to the other and found that the wear pattern was different from side to side. One of the reasons for this is third-body wear.

This is the presence of tiny particles in the joint. These pieces may be bits of bone or fragments of glue or cement used to hold the new joint in place. Even metal debris from the coating around the joint implant can cause the joint liner to be scratched and roughed up. Joint wear and tear is increased when the surfaces are roughened.

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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Will laser heat treatment work for arthritis in the shoulder?

March 2, 2010 — admin

I heard there’s a new laser heat treatment for loose shoulders. Will this work for arthritis?

Using heat in the form of laser or radiofrequency has gained in popularity over the last 10 years. Uses for laser therapy in the shoulder are still limited. Research only supports its use for shoulder instability.

When the fibrous tissue surrounding a joint (the capsule) is torn or stretched, it’s causes joint laxity. This is another way to say “loose joint.” Joint laxity causes a joint to be unstable. In the case of the shoulder, this can lead to dislocation.

Currently, thermal devices are used to treat shoulder instability caused by damage to the capsule. Arthritis is a condition that primarily affects the bone and joint surfaces. Laser hasn’t been approved for use with arthritis at this time. More studies using laser are being done and may include arthritis in the future.

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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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.

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Is total joint replacement a preventative option?

December 30, 2009 — admin

I need part of my shoulder replaced (the ball portion but not the socket). Will I just develop arthritis in the socket later and need to have it replaced eventually? Maybe I should just have the whole shoulder replaced now. What do you think?

As the old saying goes, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Joint replacements don’t last forever. Just removing the damaged part and replacing it can cause problems. The muscles around the joint must be cut and a certain amount of bone removed.

Many doctors would agree when only half the joint is a problem then a hemiarthroplasty is the way to go. This operation only replaces the part of the joint that is damaged. This is usually the head of the humerus or ball portion that fits into the socket. Any part of the joint that is still in good health should be saved.

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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Obesity a factor in total hip replacement surgery

December 28, 2009 — admin

I have been overweight all my life and now my hips are so bad with arthritis I need replacements. The doctor has told me to lose weight, but how much is enough?

A recent report on 851 cases of total hip replacement included information on patient demographics. This refers to data about the patients’ ages, gender, diagnosis, and body mass index (BMI).

BMI is calculated based on height and weight. It helps show how much body fat you have. Health risks from carrying too much weight include heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

A BMI in the “healthy” range does not always mean the person is fit and healthy. Poor diet and genetics can put an average person at risk for health concerns. Keep in mind the BMI does not take into account body frame. A muscular, large-framed person’s BMI could indicate obesity, but this may not be the case.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer a website with easy calculations of your BMI. You can do this by going to:

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm

Once you’ve found your BMI ask your doctor about a reasonable weight loss plan. Studies show results after a hip replacement are best in patients with a BMI of 30 or less.

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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Does arthritis in the knee always lead to arthritis in the hip?

December 1, 2009 — admin

Is it true that once I have knee arthritis, I’ll also get arthritis in my hips?

It’s not a given that if you have arthritis in the knee, you’ll get it in the hip. But there does seem to be a link between the two. Perhaps hip problems start when knee pain results in a limp or altered way of walking.

Problems above or below the impaired joint are common. Change in weight shift, weight-bearing, and balance can lead to a change in the hip or ankle joint. The hip is especially prone to end up with decreased function.

Physical therapists are actively researching ways to prevent this from happening. Finding hip problems early may be a start. If you are having pain and stiffness from knee arthritis, ask your doctor or therapist to check the hip on the same side and the knee and hip on the opposite side.

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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How can I tell if I have arthritis?

November 17, 2009 — admin

How can I tell if I have arthritis? Seems the older I get, the stiffer I am, and the more joint pain I notice.

Aging is linked with osteoarthritis (OA) of the joints. The hip and knee are affected most often.

Stiffness is also common as we get older. There are many reasons for this. Tendons and ligaments have less water in them. The drying effect makes the joints seem stiff. The cells that make up soft tissues are called collagen. Fewer new collagen cells are formed so we lose some elasticity in the joints and muscles.

There are other changes going on in the joints. The cartilage loses strength. Changes in the cells of the cartilage lead to OA. There is a thinning of the joint space as the cartilage breaks down. This loss in joint space can be seen on X-ray. It’s the most common way to diagnose OA.

A medical doctor will use tests of motion and strength along with X-rays to make the diagnosis. An early diagnosis is best so that early treatment can limit problems.

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.

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

What is “water on the knee”?

November 13, 2009 — admin
What do people mean when they talk about “water on the knee”?
This usually describes pre-patellar bursitis. This is when fluid builds up in the bursa sac that lies in front of and below the kneecap. The front of the knee may look like a goose egg.

There are also conditions when the knee joint itself fills with fluid. A joint capsule encloses the bones of the knee joint. When the capsule fills with fluid, it may give the appearance of “water on the knee.” This can happen with problems like arthritis or infection.

An injury to the structures inside the knee can cause bleeding and swelling to fill the inside of the joint. In these instances, there will be fullness in the tissues of the knee, rather than simply a goose-egg appearance in the front of the knee.

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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Could my knee pain be arthritis? I’m only 33!

November 4, 2009 — admin
Lately I’ve had a lot of pain right behind my kneecap, especially when going down stairs. I am only 33 years old. Could I be developing arthritis already?

 
There are several possible causes of pain behind the knee. A recent injury can cause pain from a ligament tear. Sometimes a small structure in the knee such as a bursa or plica can become inflamed and cause pain.

You may be describing a condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). This occurs when the kneecap is slightly off center as it slides up and down over the joint. This kind of tracking misalignment can cause the cartilage behind the knee to become torn or frayed.

PFPS is often characterized by pain when descending stairs. There may also be pain when trying to bend at the knee in a partial squat. An orthopedic physician or physical therapist can examine you and determine the cause of your symptoms.

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.

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