Arthritis – Symptoms, Treatment, Complications, Prevention

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.

You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:

Learning Center – Arthritis – Symptoms, Treatment, Complications, Prevention – AARP#causesincidenceandriskfactors

What to Expect in Your 50s, 60s and 70s – AARP

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Stay informed: Get news and resources from the Health Newsletter.

With our three AARP “What to Expect” guides (about being in your 50s, 60s and 70s-plus) you’ll learn how to, among other things … save your skin, keep your heart strong, preserve your senses, motivate your metabolism, bone up for good health, improve your sex life, ramp up your immunity, take fewer nighttime trips (to the bathroom), stay sharp and — most importantly — be happy. At every age!

What to Expect in Your 50s, 60s and 70s – AARP

The Trouble with the New Hip Trend

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A few years back, many folks with hurting hips were happy to learn that a newer bone-preserving procedure called hip resurfacing could spare them from the more drastic hip replacement.

  But: A huge study has now shown that the newer procedure is more likely to lead to problems than the traditional total hip replacement.

Ashley William Blom, MD, lead author of the new study, weighed in on the results and what they mean for patients   contemplating hip surgery.

  HIP TALK

The Trouble with the New Hip Trend

Osteoarthritis of the Hip

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Osteoarthritis of the Hip – Everything you’ve wanted to know!

Cause

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

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Like other joints that carry your weight, your hips may be at risk for “wear and tear” arthritis (osteoarthritis), the most common form of the disease. The smooth and glistening covering (articular cartilage) on the ends of your bones that helps your hip joint glide may wear thin.

Osteoarthritis of the Hip – OrthoInfo – AAOS

Total Joint Replacement Documentary

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Total Joint Replacement: A Patient’s Perspective

AAHKS Offers Documentary in New DVD Format to Increase Awareness of Joint Replacement Benefits

“Total Joint Replacement: A Patient’s Perspective,” a documentary providing an inside look at four real-life patients facing the need for hip and knee replacement surgery, is now available in DVD format.

The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) sponsored the film in cooperation with the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF). Until now, the 52-minute film had been available on VHS tape and via webcast on http://www.OR-Live.com.

Total Joint Replacement Documentary – AAHKS

Information for Patients – AAHKS

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Office Visit Tips

Your visit with an orthopaedic surgeon is an important meeting that can be most effective if you plan ahead. It’s important that you give your doctor the information he or she needs and that you understand what your doctor is recommending. The following checklist will help you and your doctor discuss the issues most important for getting the most out of the visit.
Before you go

  1. Find out the basics about the office. Where is it? What time should you arrive? If you’re going to drive, where can your park? Do you need to bring your insurance card or a managed care medical referral?
  2. Assemble your records such as results and copies of X-rays, other imaging studies and lab tests and personally take the records to the doctor’s office.
  3. Make written lists of:
    • Medications you are taking.
    • Your medical history, such as prior treatments for heart or thyroid problems or operations, even those not related to your current problem.
    • Your concerns about your condition (pains, loss of mobility or function).
  4. Consider asking a friend or family member to accompany you. If you need a translator, ask another adult to come with you; don’t rely on a child to translate.
  5. Dress appropriately. For spine and many problems involving the arms and legs, you may be asked to disrobe. Wear loose clothing that’s easy to take off and put on.

Information for Patients – AAHKS

Don’t get too focused on materials being used…

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In planning a hip replacement, one mistake both patients and doctors can make is to become overly concerned with the prosthetics rather than the surgical approach itself.

“People get too focused on what kind of parts and materials are being used,” Dr. Matta said. “That’s a good discussion to have, but what’s more important is what the surgeon will do during the operation. As surgeons, we need to ensure that the muscles around the hip aren’t disturbed, the parts are fitted and oriented properly, and that the leg length is correct. And it behooves us to perform hip replacements that don’t rely on our patients restricting their movements for the rest of their lives.”

Anterior approach patients have no restrictions on their movements. In contrast, patients undergoing traditional surgeries have an extensive list of movements they must avoid to prevent dislocating the new hip. Simple actions such as crossing legs and tying shoes normally may be permanently prohibited. Yoga is out. Even sitting on the toilet can risk dislocation.

READ ON — Saint John’s Health Center

Because of my orthopaedic care, I can…” It isn’t too late to submit your patients’ stories

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The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ national campaign, A Nation in Motion, shares the stories of more than 600 patients whose lives have been saved or restored through access to high-quality orthopaedic care. These inspiring stories illustrate the conditions, injuries and traumas that millions of patients have braved head on – and the excellent care that got them back to work and to their active, full lives. The patients featured on the website have shared their stories in one simple phrase, “Because of my orthopaedic care, I can…” It isn’t too late to submit your patients’ stories on the site.

Visit anationinmotion.org to submit, read the stories, and to play A Nation in Motion the Game online, and navigate the path of orthopaedic scenarios throughout life before you can successfully reach the “I Can! Club.” The “I Can! Club” represents a full, enjoyable and mobile life.

Hip Replacement Pre-Op and Post-Op Surgery Diary

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Things aren’t good when your 83-year-old father has more energy and stamina than you do. An athletic and highly active person since childhood — whose activities included jazz dance, softball, horseback riding, cycling and sailboat racing — I found my life shrinking at 52 due to arthritis in my left hip.

When I’d been diagnosed with it two years earlier, I continued many of my activities. But by the time I was 52, in January 2010, every step was painful, and a hip replacement was inevitable.

See also: 5 steps to a successful hip replacement.

Hip Replacement Pre-Op and Post-Op Surgery Diary – AARP