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Grating, cracking or popping sounds around joints may predict future arthritis, especially in the knees, according to a recent U.S. study.

Among thousands of people with no knee pain who were followed for three years, one quarter had noisy knees yet they made up three quarters of the cases of symptomatic knee arthritis that emerged by the end of the study period, researchers found.

"Many people who have signs of osteoarthritis on X-rays do not necessarily complain about pain. Presently, there are no known strategies for preventing the development of pain in this group," said lead study author Grace Lo of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Especially when people have joint space loss or other arthritis-related changes visible on X-rays, their also having noisy knees can be considered a sign of higher risk for developing pain within the next year, she said.

HOSPITAL HEROES: KNITTERS MAKE THOUSANDS OF HATS FOR CHEMO PATIENTS

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 30 million adults in the United States, Lo and colleagues write in Arthritis Care and Research. Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, which means X-ray evidence of arthritis plus pain or stiffness, affects about 16 percent of adults older than 60, they note.

Lo and colleagues analyzed data from 3,495 participants ranging in age from about 50 to 70 in a long-term study conducted in hospitals in Rhode Island, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. None had symptomatic knee arthritis at the start.

The researchers looked at how often people experienced knee pain, stiffness and "crepitus," or noises and scraping feelings in their knees.

During clinic visits, people were asked questions like, "Do you feel grinding, hear clicking or any other type of noise when your right knee moves?" and "During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching or stiffness in or around your right knee on most days for at least one month?" The patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study and again at 12, 24 and 36 months. X-rays were also taken once a year.

At the start, 65 percent of participants said they had no crepitus, 11 percent experienced it "rarely," 15 percent had it "sometimes" and 9 percent had it "often" or "always."

Overall, 635 participants, 18 percent, developed symptomatic arthritis of the knee during the study period.

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Even after adjusting for weight and other factors, researchers found that odds of developing symptomatic arthritis rose along with the frequency of crepitus. Those who reported it "rarely" had 50 percent higher risk than those who never had it, and those with crepitus "sometimes" or "often" had about double the odds.

People with crepitus "always" were three times more likely to develop arthritis over four years than those who never had it.

Older age and having crepitus also increased the likelihood of developing arthritis, and men with crepitus were more likely than women with noisy knees to go on to develop arthritis.

"Differences across genders is interesting and unexplained. This may tell us about differences in symptom reporting or the biology of osteoarthritis," said Daniel Solomon, the chair of arthritis and population health at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

"Knowing how to predict who will develop symptomatic osteoarthritis may give patients and providers clues to who should receive earlier treatment or even prevention," Solomon, who wasn't involved in the study, told Reuters Health by email.

"It would be helpful to look at the MRIs of the people who had X-ray evidence, no pain and always had crepitus to understand what is happening in their knees," Lo said. "This could help identify ways to decrease the risk for developing knee pain."

Since MRI scans are more sensitive than X-rays, Lo added, researchers for future studies may be able to see osteophyte formations or other symptoms around the knee that they can't usually see.

"Not all noises coming from a knee are a bad sign," she said. "It might be helpful to ask your doctor for an X-ray to see if you have evidence of osteoarthritis and then take precautions from there."

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Cracking, popping joints may foretell arthritis - Fox News

Arthritis of the knee is very common, and isn't helped by arthroscopic surgery, a study finds. BSIP/UIG via Getty Images hide caption

An international panel of surgeons and patients has challenged the effectiveness of one of the most common orthopedic procedures and recommended strongly against the use of arthroscopic surgery for patients with degenerative knee problems.

The guidelines, published Wednesday in the journal BMJ, reviewed 13 studies involving nearly 1,700 patients and found the surgery did not provide lasting pain relief or improve function for most of them. Those studies compared the surgery with a variety of options, including physical therapy, exercise and even placebo surgery.

Fewer than 15 percent of patients felt an improvement in pain and function three months after the procedure, and that those effects disappeared after one year, the review found. In addition, the surgery exposed patients to "rare but important harms," such as infection.

Casey Quinlan, 64, who had the surgery in 2003 and was on the panel issuing the guidelines, said her orthopedist told her the procedure would not only help restore mobility in her knee after a nasty ski accident but also improve her arthritis.

Quinlan, of Richmond, Va., said the procedure did not deliver, since her arthritis remained unchanged. "It was not what I was told to expect," she says.

In an arthroscopic knee surgery, physicians make several small incisions around the joint and insert a tiny camera that allows them to see inside the knee as well as insert small instruments to correct problems they identify. Often the surgery is performed to remove part of a damaged meniscus, a disc of cartilage that helps cushion the knee.

The panel said meniscal tears "are common, usually incidental findings, and unlikely to be the cause of knee pain, aching or stiffness."

The panel said the surgery is performed more than 2 million times a year across the globe, and in the United States alone costs more than $3 billion annually.

The panel's recommendations are counter to guidelines from a number of medical groups. Most of those organizations have recommendations against arthroscopy for patients solely with arthritis that can be seen through an X-ray. But many still promote the procedure for people with ailments such as meniscal tears, which are frequently present in arthritic patients.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons does not recommend the treatment for patients with arthritis, said David Jevsevar, chairman of orthopedics at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine and chair of the AAOS Council on Research and Quality. He said the BMJ assessment is in line with current evidence, but he also cautioned that generalizing a variety of randomized trials does not necessarily take into account the circumstances of individual patients.

"Guidelines don't apply to every patient," Jevsevar says. "There's always going to be an exception."

Reed Siemieniuk, a physician in Ontario, Canada, and the lead author of the panel's statement, said he understands the frustration some people may have about the guideline especially those who have seen an improvement with surgery.

The strongest evidence of a procedure's benefit is a randomized controlled trial, Siemieniuk notes, "Despite those personal experiences that say it might be doing good, the evidence suggests that it might not be doing any good."

Siemieniuk said that the panel's reading of the studies suggests that "on average, the pain relief that you're getting is not going to be important to you at all."

The BMJ assessment is the latest in a string of studies that have raised concerns about the surgery. The journal also published a study in 2015 by researchers in Denmark showing that arthroscopic repair of the meniscus for middle-aged people was not much better than exercise in relieving pain and carried a risk of rare but debilitating side effects.

The surgery was questioned in 2002 after researchers reported in The New England Journal of Medicine that in a randomized trial of older veterans with osteoarthritis in their knees, arthroscopic surgery was no more effective in treating pain than a placebo surgery in which patients had incisions made but no instruments were inserted into the knee. At least three other studies in that journal since then have also found arthroscopy is not better than sham surgery or physical therapy in relieving arthritis pain in the knees of older adults.

Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan health policy research and communication organization.

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Arthroscopic Surgery Doesn't Help With Arthritis Knee Pain - NPR

"Keyhole" arthroscopic surgery should rarely be used to repair arthritic knee joints, a panel of international experts says in new clinical guidelines.

Clinical trials have shown that keyhole surgery doesn't help people suffering from arthritis of the knees any more than mild painkillers, physical therapy or weight loss, said lead author Dr. Reed Siemieniuk. He is a health researcher with McMaster University in Toronto, Canada.

"You can make a pretty strong statement saying that from a long-term perspective, it really doesn't help at all," Siemieniuk said. "If they knew all the evidence, almost nobody would choose to have this surgery."

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More than 300,000 Americans get hip replacement surgery each year. A growing number of patients can be in and out of the hospital faster than eve...

Keyhole surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world, with more than 2 million performed each year, Siemieniuk said. The United States alone spends about $3 billion a year on the procedure.

The new guidelines -- published online May 10 in theBMJ-- were issued as part of the journal's initiative to provide up-to-date recommendations based on the latest evidence. The guidelines make a strong recommendation against arthroscopy for nearly all cases of degenerative knee disease.

This includes osteoarthritis as well as tears of the meniscus, the padding between the two leg bones in the knee, Siemieniuk said.

"With age and with use, the grinding of the two bones together can break down that padding," he said. "It's very common to see little rips and tears in that padding in patients with arthritis."

Siemieniuk and his colleagues noted that a trial published in 2016 showed that surgery was no better than exercise therapy in patients with a meniscus tear.

Despite this and other medical evidence, most guidelines still recommend keyhole surgery for people with meniscus tears, sudden onset of symptoms like pain or swelling, or mild to moderate difficulties with knee movement.

Arthroscopic surgery relies on small incisions through which a tiny camera and miniature instruments are inserted. Doctors can remove or repair damaged tissue without having to cut the knee open.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons currently advises against performing arthroscopic surgery in patients with full-fledged knee osteoarthritis, said Dr. Kevin Shea, an academy spokesman.

"Most orthopedic surgeons have dramatically reduced arthroscopic surgery in patients with degenerative arthritis," Shea said. "Most I know have abandoned it over the last 10 to 15 years."

However, arthroscopic surgery still can help people with joint movement problems caused by meniscus tears who have not developed moderate or severe knee osteoarthritis, said Shea.

Those patients should be treated first with mild painkillers and exercise therapy, but keyhole surgery should remain an option for them, he added. Shea is an orthopedic surgeon based in Boise, Idaho.

"Not that long ago, I operated on a 67-year-old retired schoolteacher who's an avid skier," Shea said. "She had no arthritis in her knee but a huge meniscus tear that kept locking, catching and popping. Not offering treatment to her would not have been fair."

Under theBMJguidelines, patients with meniscus tears should be treated with painkillers and physical therapy, as well as weight loss if they are overweight, Siemieniuk said. Knee replacement surgery is the last treatment option, done once degeneration has progressed to the point where all other therapies don't work.

There is a financial incentive for doctors and hospitals to perform unnecessary keyhole surgeries, but Siemieniuk said these surgeries also might be prompted by the desire to treat a painful medical condition.

"It's hard to take away one of the options from people when chronic knee pain and arthritis can be very debilitating," he said. "And there's an expectation from patients that by the time they see a surgeon, the surgeon is going to have something to be able to offer them."

Inertia might also play a role. "It's a lot easier to introduce a new treatment into clinical care than to de-implement one that we later find out doesn't work," Siemieniuk said. "That's what we're seeing here."

Keyhole surgery has its downsides. Recovery can last anywhere from 3 days to 6 weeks, Siemieniuk said, and there is a risk of blood clots or infection in the knee.

Patients should go through a shared decision-making process with their surgeon, questioning whether this surgery would truly help them, he said.

The surgery still can be useful to fix torn ligaments or repair damage caused by severe trauma, Siemieniuk said. But in most cases, he said, given the evidence, insurers "may choose not to fund it, which I think would be appropriate."

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"Keyhole" surgery not helpful for knee arthritis, experts say - CBS News

Laura E Straub,1,2 Miriam G Cisternas3

1Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2Immune Tolerance Network, San Francisco, CA, 3MGC Data Services, Carlsbad, CA, USA

Purpose: Mental health conditions can increase the risk of disability among adults with arthritis. The objective of this analysis was to compare the prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD), depression, and anxiety among US adults with arthritis vs. those without; characterize adults with arthritis with and without SPD; and determine correlates of seeing a mental health professional during the year for adults with arthritis and SPD. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analysis of adults in the 20112013 National Health Interview Survey. Results: Higher proportions of adults with arthritis had SPD (6.8% vs. 2.4%), depression (19.4% vs. 7.3%), and anxiety (29.3% vs. 16.3%) compared to those without. Of the estimated 3.5 million adults with arthritis and SPD, only 39% saw a mental health professional during the year. Adjusted analyses identified the following statistically significant relationships: those who were older (4564 and 65 [vs.1844], prevalence ratio [PR]=0.8 and 0.4, respectively), less educated (PR=0.5 and 0.7 for high school or less vs. college degree, respectively), and without health insurance coverage (vs. any private, PR=0.7), were less likely to see a mental health professional, whereas the disabled or unemployed (vs. employed, PR=1.6 and 1.5, respectively), and those unable to afford mental health care throughout the year (PR=1.3) were more likely. Conclusion: The high prevalence of SPD, anxiety, and depression in adults with arthritis suggests the need for increased mental health screening, with subsequent referral to mental health professionals or other treatment programs, in that population.

Keywords: serious psychological distress, anxiety, depression, access to mental health care, rheumatoid arthritis

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Psychological well-being among US adults with arthritis and the unmet need for mental health care - Dove Medical Press

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - Things as simple as standing, walking and moving your hands can inflict serious pain on people suffering from arthritis.

"We have treatments for inflammatory arthritis that actually modify the disease, [with] what we call disease-modifying-agents, that actually change the course of the disease and can prevent joint destruction, said Dr. Siegel.

Since the completion of the human genome, combating arthritis can involve a more articulated strategy, where researchers can target specific molecules.

"Now that we know who the players are, we can then try to figure out exactly what they do in different diseases, said Dr. John O'Shea, Scientific Director at NIAMS, NIH. Then you can take a strategy, saying, I think this guy is a bad actor, and so we can make a drug that targets that guy."

Not only can you make a drug that targets specific molecules, but you can repurpose one for it, which is what the NIH is currently trying to do with tofacitinib, a drug initially approved for rheumatoid arthritis and now being tested to treat lupus.

"As serious as these problems are, we should be optimistic that if we keep investing in trying to cure and treat these diseases, that we will succeed, said Dr. OShea.

The CDC projects that by 2025, 67 million people in the U.S. will have arthritis.

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Debunking common myths about arthritis - WHAG

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects over 300,000 children across the country, according to the America College of Rheumatology. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is caused by the bodys immune system attacking its own healthy tissue and can be linked to genetics. Persistent joint pain, swollen joints, limping or preference of one leg or arm are just a few of the everyday battles these children take on every day.

Mitchell Briningstool has taken on the disease for most of his young life. He was diagnosed with JRA at the age of two. Mitchell, a junior at Clarksville Academy, does not let his current condition dictate his daily routines. Hes currently a member of the varsity football team, and has played high school baseball and basketball since his freshman year.

In addition to being a member of the football team, Mitchell is also the leader and the face of Team Mitch, and hell be leading his team on Sunday, May 21 to Walk to Cure Arthritis at Centennial Park in Nashville. Not only will he be leading his team to raise money and awareness, Mitchell was selected as the Team Champion for this event.

The Briningstool family asks that you consider a financial donation, or taking part in the event and day of fun on May 21. There are also some events here in town leading up to the Walk to Cure Arthritis. On Thursday, May 11, Chic Fil a on Wilma Rudolph Blvd. will host Team Mitch night from 5-8 p.m. where a portion of the the sales will be donated to Team Mitch for everyone who mentions they are there for his event. The money will help fund The Arthritis Foundation for research and education.

There will also be a charity basketball game on May 19 at the Clarksville Academy gym. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. and will consist of free basketball training, a three point shooting contest, free throw contest, and capped off with Team Mitch taking on Team RTG. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Come out and support Mitchell and The Arthritis Foundation during one of these three events. If you cant make it, you can also make a donation online.

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Local high school football player takes on rheumatoid arthritis - Clarksville Now

Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Miss Washington's Journey to Miss USA KCTS 9 Doctors eventually diagnosed her with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). She was told that she may never walk again. Although Alex appears to be the picture of health, dealing with the chronic pain of RA is a constant struggle. The term 'invisible illness ...

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Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Miss Washington's Journey to Miss USA - KCTS 9

SALTILLO For Martha Webb, cooking is all about using the best and freshest ingredients available.

If you dont use good ingredients, youre not going to end up with something thats fit to eat, said Webb, 59.

Her husband, Raymond, regularly travels to Pontotoc County to buy her butter that folks in the Amish community make, and she grows many of her own vegetables and herbs.

Her side yard in Saltillo is planted with huge beds of rosemary, basil, dill, oregano, sage, Italian parsley and cilantro. Come summer, shell have tomatoes, running beans, squash and bell peppers.

Ive planted new potatoes for the grandkids to dig up and my asparagus is just about gone, she said. We had 60 heads of Romaine lettuce but only three are left now. And I love my herbs. I cant cook without fresh herbs.

The mother of two and grandmother of three learned gardening as a child.

When I was growing up, if we didnt grow it or kill it, we didnt eat it, Webb said. Daddy had a truck patch and my brothers hunted and fished and I hunted and fished, she said. The only thing Mama went to the store for was staples.

Webb, who was raised in Union County but now lives in Saltillo, went to college at Bethel University in Tennessee where she had a double major: piano and drama. She taught music at South Pontotoc and at Plantersville before moving to the Fillmore Center, an alternative school in Tupelo, to teach English.

Fillmore was an interesting job, she said. I loved those kids. The ones you could help made up for the ones you couldnt.

Webb retired early from teaching in 2015 due to rheumatoid arthritis. As long as her hands will allow her, shell continue to play the piano at Wesley United Methodist Church, a job shes held for 23 years.

Because shes busy with church Sunday mornings, she gets her Sunday dinner started early. She plans the menu on Wednesday and starts cooking on Saturday. She might serve Hawaiian ham with peas, greens and a salad, or a beef roast with potatoes and carrots, green beans and slaw.

Sometimes we have chicken, sometimes meatloaf, and sometimes my husband will smoke a pork loin or pork butt, she said. My kids have never known not having Sunday dinner. Even growing up, we had dinner together every night at the table. If you werent dead, then youd better be there.

Webb actually uses the weekends to get most of her meals ready for the week ahead.

I do quality cooking I dont just run in there and make Hamburger Helper, she said. Both my daughters can cook. Whatever is important to you is going to be important to your kids. I have the best children and the best life and I feel guilty every day for what God has given me.

1 box Duncan Hines lemon supreme cake mix

1 small box instant lemon pudding mix

1/2 cup Limoncello liqueur

1/4 cup Limoncello liqueur

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners sugar

For the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, sour cream and Limoncello in a large bowl and beat for 2 minutes. Pour batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until cake lightly springs back when touched. Cool for a few minutes in the pan, then invert onto a cake plate. Dust with confectioners sugar or glaze with Limoncello Frosting.

For the frosting, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in Limoncello. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and using a mixer, whip in cream cheese and sugar until the frosting is thick, but still pourable. Drizzle over cooled cake.

1 precooked, smoked shank ham

1 large can sliced pineapple in heavy syrup

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3/4 cup apricot preserves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly score ham. Mix the juice from the canned pineapple with the apricot nectar. Stir in brown sugar and cloves. Using an injector for meats, inject the solution liberally into the ham. Place in a roasting pan and cover with foil. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Uncover the ham and, using toothpicks, place pineapple slices on the fat sides of the ham, with cherries in the center of the slices. Heat any remaining sauce and add preserves. Baste the ham with this sauce every 15 minutes as the ham bakes, uncovered, another 30 minutes.

1 stick butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

1/4 teaspoon almond flavoring

3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 1/4 cups self-rising flour

This recipe must be followed exactly and in order for the dough to have the right consistency.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

With a mixer on low speed, whip the butter until fluffy. Add oil, egg and flavorings. Add both sugars and beat until blended. Add flour a little at a time. The dough should be soft. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared cookie sheet. Press a smooth-bottomed drinking glass into extra granulated sugar and then press cookie balls to flatten. Bake until cookie edges are golden. Cool slightly then remove to paper towels to completely cool. Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen 3-inch cookies.

2 cups coarsely chopped, cooked squash

Cool squash, then mix in egg, onion and flour. Drop by rounded tablespoons into hot vegetable oil and cook until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

1 pound ground mild Italian sausage

2 pounds Angus ground chuck

1 medium sweet onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (28-ounce) can petite-diced tomatoes

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano

1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

Brown sausage and ground chuck in olive oil. Drain off any fat. To the pan, add onion, bell pepper and garlic and saute a couple of minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer slowly for at least 1 hour (longer is better). Stir often and add water if sauce becomes too thick. This sauce freezes well.

4 small zucchini (8- to 10-inches)

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

4 cups fresh corn (or 2 packages frozen, thawed)

1 large tomato, seeded and chopped

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Slice zucchini lengthwise into quarters, then slice across into 1/2-inch thick slices.

Melt butter in a skillet and add onion and bell pepper. Saute a couple of minutes and stir in corn. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in zucchini and cook 2 or 3 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and stir in tomato and sprinkle with cheese. Place under the broiler until the cheese is melted. Serves 8.

1 flute or batard Italian bread

1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano

1 to 2 cloves minced garlic

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Shredded Italian 5-cheese blend

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Slice bread into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Brush with olive oil and place on a greased cookie sheet. Place in oven until lightly crisped.

In a bowl, combine tomatoes, herbs, garlic and vinegar. Top bread slices with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with grated cheese and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Place back in oven until cheese is melted. Makes about 12.

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Retired teacher doesn't let arthritis slow her down - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

GETTY

A study claims arthroscopies should not be performed on those suffering painful degenerative knee disease because it rarely works.

In fact, a collaboration of international experts said the keyhole procedure to relieve pain and improve movement should be avoided in almost all patients.

Their recommendation is based on evidence that it does not result in lasting improvement in pain or function.

The panel said: Knee arthroscopy has been oversold as a cure-all for knee pain.

We make a strong recommendation against the use of arthroscopy in nearly all patients with degenerative knee disease.

"Further research is unlikely to alter this recommendation.

Degenerative knee disease is a chronic condition in which symptoms fluctuate.

Each year around two million people go under the knife but the procedure is no better than traditional exercise or physiotherapy.

Knee arthroscopy has been oversold as a cure-all for knee pain

Research panel

Around a quarter of those aged over 50 years experience pain from degenerative knee disease with weight loss, exercise and anti-infammatory drugs and surgery options to combat the debilitating pain.

Knee replacement is the only definitive therapy, but it is usually reserved for patients with the severest form of the disease.

The review by bone surgeons, physiotherapists, clinicians and patients with experience of degenerative knee disease suggests arthroscopic surgery offers little benefit and is not cost effective.

GETTY

The assessment comes after the panel carried out a detailed analysis of the available evidence.

A linked review of 13 random control trials and 12 observational studies concluded the treatment did not reap important benefits in pain or function.

Researchers found that when compared with conservative management surgery resulted in a very small reduction in pain up to three months following the procedure and very small or no pain reduction up to two years later.

Getty

1 of 12

They also found knee arthroscopy results in a very small improvement in the short term and very small or no improved function up to two years after the operation.

Patient Casey Quinlan said: Knee arthroscopy has been oversold as a cure-all for knee pain.

"Mine was nowhere near what I had been told it would be, function and pain level were only marginally improved.

Degenerative arthritis is a group of conditions where the main problem is damage to the cartilage which covers the ends of the bones.

Painful and debilitating degenerative knee arthritis affects around 4 million people in the UK.

Mark Wilkinson, Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Sheffield and Arthritis Research UK spokesman, said: Previous studies have shown knee arthroscopy is not recommended for the symptoms of pain and loss of function for people with degenerative knee arthritis.

"People with mechanical symptoms, such as locked knee, are more likely to benefit for this type of surgery. Current guidelines support this.

GETTY

Anyone with pain and loss of function in their knee joints will find benefit from lifestyle modification, exercise, physiotherapy, suitable pain medication, or joint replacement when non-surgical treatment becomes no longer effective.

Publishing their findings in the BMJ the experts said: We make a strong recommendation against the use of arthroscopy in nearly all patients with degenerative knee disease, based on linked systematic reviews.

"Further research is unlikely to alter this recommendation.

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Arthritis pain: Exercise 'could be JUST as effective as surgery at managing knee agony' - Express.co.uk

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Walk to Cure Arthritis(Photo: Submitted)

The Arthritis Foundation is set to host its annual Walk to Cure Arthritis in Nashville.

The walk features a three-mile and one-milenoncompetitive course along with family-friendly activities. Dogs are welcome.

Funds will go to help speed up the cure for arthritis, a common cause of disability.

The walk is1:30 p.m.Sunday, May 21,at the Centennial Park band shell, 2500 West End Ave., in Nashville.

Registration is free and donations are encouraged. Visit walktocurearthritis.org/Nashville.

Reach Alex Hubbard at dhubbard@tennessean.com.

Read or Share this story: http://tnne.ws/2pxZ8Uh

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Arthritis Foundation set for Nashville walk - The Tennessean

New York Times

Noisy Knees? Arthritis May Be in Your Future New York Times If your knees creak and pop, the noises could be an indicator of early arthritis, even if the joint does not hurt, according to one of the first long-term studies of the association between noisy knees and joint disease. But not every creaky knee is ...

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Noisy Knees? Arthritis May Be in Your Future - New York Times

Walk to Cure Arthritis is May 13 at zoo

Posted May 10, 2017

FRASER When Matthew Dantes was 9 years old, he started to experience physical ailments most children his age couldnt comprehend. Today, Matthew, 18, has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

The gamut of aches, pains, joint stiffness, rashes, fevers and difficulty walking originally confounded doctors. Matthews mother, Christine Dantes, said her son was misdiagnosed for three years because doctors couldnt connect a 9-year-olds symptoms with a particular disease.

A lot of doctors dont know what this disease looks like on a child, Christine Dantes said. That is the main problem we had with Matthew.He was misdiagnosed because he didnt present the classic symptoms that an adult with arthritis would.

One pediatrician told Matthews family that he was just suffering from growing pains, adding that joints would be red and warm to the touch or even swollen if the condition was more serious.

Now, none of his joints get visibly swollen. Only his knees do.

Following the pediatricians diagnosis, the family searched for more answers. Matthew was tested for muscular dystrophy by a pediatric neurologist. Christine said the neurologist told the family that Matthew suffered from a case of cerebral palsy that was never properly diagnosed as an infant.

An orthopedic surgeon followed. Christine said the surgeon serial-casted Matthew for three weeks, due to being convinced the pain and stiffness were caused by tight heel cords.

The real problem was the arthritis was now in his ankles and serial casting literally froze them in that position, she said. By the time he got out of the casts he could barely walk and was in extreme pain. He was told by kids that he walked like Frankenstein.

Even after years of physical therapy, the pain worsened. He couldnt run or play with the other children. When he tried to join a soccer team, the coach asked if he had clubbed feet due to how he walked and ran.

After being continually misdiagnosed by a variety of medical professionals including being suggested to test for both lupus and leukemia Matthew could barely get down the stairs at home due to his knees not being able to bend.

It was heartbreaking as a parent to see your child slowly lose all the things that brought them joy, she said. He was in constant pain and it really robbed him of a big part of his childhood.

After years of reading and researching the possible cause of her sons physical discomfort, Christine was the one who made the correct diagnosis: Her son had arthritis.

She and Matthew visited a pediatric rheumatologist, where blood work, an inflammation panel and an MRI were performed. Days before his 12th birthday, it was confirmed he had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Though by that time, years of incorrect medical opinions created joint damage and contractures that were irreversible.

Matthew had permanent limitations. Christine said her son has good days and bad days, and then some really bad days. He suffers from arthritis in his knees, elbows and ankles; pain and stiffness are in his wrists, fingers and hips.

There was a hope he would enter medicated remission, but that dream faded this past February, when he had an arthritic flare and was simultaneously diagnosed with Crohns disease.

Its believed that Crohns occurred after Matthew started taking a biological drug called Enbrel at the end of last summer. It was explained that patients who take Enbrel for arthritis are at risk of side effects of inflammatory bowel disease. Now, its another thing for Matthew to endure.

Many people dont realize that arthritis is not just an old persons disease, and its not just the pain and stiffness that is a daily struggle, Christine said. The side effects from these drugs are real, and so are the risks that come with taking them.

Its heartbreaking as a parent to wonder what kind of future your child is going to have.I worry, will the damage to his body be from the arthritis, or from the drugs he has to take to control the disease?

Walking in solidarity Matthews condition affected his family and friends in a profound way.

Christine said Matthew never wanted to come across as a victim, and he hates being the center of attention. He doesnt even like bringing up his ailments, she added, or talking to the media.

Bringing awareness to the issue is important for him, however, and his old school has provided a positive avenue for Matthew to feel endeared while simultaneously helping to fight the diseases that literally cripple his body.

On May 13, at the Detroit Zoo, the 2017 Detroit Walk to Cure Arthritis will take place. As of press time, 17 friends and former classmates of Matthews at the Arts Academy in the Woods in Fraser were scheduled to walk in the event.

Christina Martin, parent liaison at Arts Academy in the Woods, is also a longtime friend of Christine Dantes. Martins kids grew up with Matthew. When Dantes told Martin that Matthew who normally walks every year possibly wasnt going to make the event, she took matters in her own hands.

She began to raise funds, sharing information through Facebook and the Arthritis Foundation. Money was raised for Arts Academy students participating in the walk, including bags filled with special items.

Now, there are approximately 13 walkers and four backups as part of the group Movin for Matthew.

Just this past year things have really been tough, Martin said. (Matthew) was going through so much. I thought it would be kind of a cool idea for us to do it in his name.

After losing 20 pounds and spending nearly his entire second semester of college homebound, Matthews inflammation is being properly controlled through medication. Hes on high doses of prednisone, which is temporary, and a biological drug called Humira.

We are hoping his medications continue to keep his inflammation down, Christine said. If they do, and I really hope they should, Matthew will be able to participate in the walk.

I dont want to mislead anyone and make them think that Matthew is worse than he is right now.He is definitely doing better and whether or not it stays that way is to be determined, but right now we are counting our blessings.

For more information on the walk, visit walktocurearthritis.org.

About the author

Nick Mordowanec covers Fraser, Clinton Township, Fraser Public Schools, Clintondale Community Schools and Baker College for the Fraser-Clinton Chronicle. Nick, a graduate of Michigan State University, has worked for C & G Newspapers since 2013 and has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Press Association. He has slight obsessions with Seinfeld and Led Zeppelin.

Full bio and more articles by this reporter

For more local news coverage, see the following newspapers:

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Teen suffering from arthritis gets a little help from his friends - C&G Newspapers

the Irish News

Survey reveals impact of arthritis on mental health - The Irish News the Irish News A survey released by Arthritis Care reveals the hidden impact that living with arthritis has on people's mental wellbeing. Of those surveyed in Northern Ireland 83 ... Survey unveils 'enormous hidden impact' arthritis has on mental ...ITV News Fundraising dinner success for Arthritis Care | News | Tenby ObserverTenby Observer all 4 news articles »

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Survey reveals impact of arthritis on mental health - The Irish News - the Irish News

Arthritis in the hands more common than you might think, study says Wichita Eagle Arthritis in the hands is more common than you might think. Nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will develop the condition in their lifetime, according to a new study. The risk of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis also varies by race and weight. Aching or ...

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Arthritis in the hands more common than you might think, study says - Wichita Eagle

Healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson said on Monday the U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation concerning management and advisory services provided to rheumatology and gastroenterology practices that bought two of its drugs.

The U.S. healthcare company said its Janssen Biotech Inc unit received a civil investigative demand from the Justice Department regarding an investigation under the False Claims Act related to its arthritis drugs Remicade and Simponi Aria.

J&J also revealed in its quarterly filing that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts is seeking documents broadly relating to pharmaceutical co-payment support programs for hepatitis C drug Olysiotm, Simponi and Crohn's disease drug Stelara. (bit.ly/2qUhznX)

That office's subpoena also seeks documents relating toaverage manufacturer price and best price reporting to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services related to those products, as well as rebate payments to state Medicaid agencies, Johnson & Johnson said in the filing.

(Reporting by Akankshita Mukhopadhyay in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Trott)

WASHINGTON The U.S. economy will fall short of the Trump administration's goal of 3 percent growth this year and will only achieve that when its regulatory, tax, trade and energy policies are fully in place, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Tuesday.

News Corp reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue as the owner of the Dow Jones Newswires and the Wall Street Journal saw an uptick in its digital real estate business and growth in its advertising revenue.

A decline in subscribers and higher programming costs at cash-cow ESPN weighed on shares of Walt Disney Co on Tuesday, overshadowing a quarterly profit that topped Wall Street estimates.

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J&J discloses US probe related to arthritis drugs - Reuters

Creaky, stiff knees are a common problem in the over-40s. Yet while they are often the first sign of underlying arthritis they are not, as is often thought, the beginning of a journey that inevitably ends in surgery or joint replacement. At least they may not be if you heed aching joints as a warning sign and are prepared to do a bit of hard work.

Most people think of osteoarthritis as a one-way wear-and-tear process related to overuse, but it is also the bodys response to injury and part of a process designed to try to repair the joint. Some people with early osteoarthritis do get progressively worse and end up needing surgery, but a similar proportion remain stable as far as symptoms are

Link:
Dr Mark Porter: Stiff knees may not be a sign of arthritis, just that you need to do some exercise - The Times (subscription)

Amanda Hay knows firsthand the value of arthritis research.

The 30-year-old Sombra woman who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age eight spent most of her childhood in a wheelchair until a new experimental drug became available.

After more than a decade in a wheelchair due to pain, Hay decided to take a chance on Enbrel, a biologic medicine that blocks the immune system from sending out signals that cause joint inflammation.

Within two weeks I was walking, said Hay, who had been forced to give up figure skating and other physical activities due to the pain she was experiencing.

Hay credits scientific advancements along with the support of her family and the Arthritis Society for helping her live a normal life.

More than two decades after her diagnosis, Hay works full-time and has learned to manage her debilitating pain through rest and exercise.

It's challenging, she said. I'm lucky enough that my company is supportive because I've educated them on my daily limits.

Hay hopes to raise more awareness about the chronic condition by hosting Sarnia-Lambton's first Walk to Fight Arthritis next month.

The fundraising walk with one-kilometre and five-kilometre route options is planned for June 4 at the Sombra ball park on Duke Street. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with the walk slated to begin at 10:30 a.m.

Proceeds from the walk will benefit The Arthritis Society, a non-profit that funds research and provides local services out of Sarnia's Community Care Access Centre.

Those services include physical and occupational therapies, social work services and chronic pain management workshops.

Hay was inspired in part to host a local walk out of a desire to raise awareness about the local services provided by the Arthritis Society.

While Sarnia has never had its own Arthritis Society office, Hay said she's still been able to access services through the society, like a youth summer camp for young arthritis sufferers.

They're very willing to help anybody, she said.

More than 4.6 million Canadians aged 15 years and older currently report living with arthritis, according to The Arthritis Society. By 2036, it's estimated that one in every five Canadian adults will have arthritis.

But the debilitating joint-attacking condition can also impact the lives of children.

At age eight Hay was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause swelling and pain in the hands and wrists through to the knees and feet after she went numb on the left side of her body overnight.

Right away (the doctor) said, 'She has rheumatoid arthritis,' Hay recalled. My mom said, 'That's impossible. Kids don't have arthritis.'

But Hay's parents soon accepted the diagnosis and started working with their daughter to improve her quality of life.

I've been lucky that my parents pushed me when I was younger to do my therapy and wear my splints, said Hay, who eventually had to undergo orthopedic surgery to get staples in her growth plate.

As a child, Hay served as a local spokesperson for The Arthritis Society, but she didn't reconnect with the non-profit again until a few years ago when she started participating in London's annual Walk To Fight Arthritis.

In 2016, Hay was named the top fundraiser for the London walk, collecting $5,000 for the charity from family, friends and a few local companies.

That's when she was approached about starting a Sarnia-area walk because she and a small group of fellow arthritis sufferers were travelling from Lambton County annually to raise dollars in London.

She immediately saw the value in hosting a local Walk to Fight Arthritis an event that has connected her with other arthritis survivors and served as inspiration for her to continue her own fight with the condition.

It's made me look at my case and say, 'I'm not as bad off as others.'

To register for the walk either as a participant or a volunteer Hay can be contacted at sarniawalktofightarthritis@arthritis.ca or at 519-402-3832.

bsimpson@postmedia.com

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IF YOU GO

What: Walk to Fight Arthritis

When: June 4. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Walk starts at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Sombra ball park, Duke Street

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Arthritis sufferer hopes to raise awareness about local services - Sarnia Observer

Angus patients living with arthritis are invited to a free information session which will focus on the benefits of physical activity for those living with arthritis.

Visiting speaker, Dr Kathryn Martin from the University of Aberdeen will lead the session discussing why physical activity should be prescribed for people living with arthritis and will give tips for optimal arthritis management.

The topic has been chosen given the increasing evidence to support activity as one of the most important lifestyle interventions for both arthritis and chronic pain, with additional positive benefits to mental health and wellbeing.

Dr Martin leads a programme of research focused on physical activity, arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions and ageing.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 7, from 6.30 to 8.30pm in the Lintrathen Room, Whitehills Health and Community Care Centre.

Refreshments will be available and those attending are very welcome to bring a friend or family member along with them. No booking is required.

The arthritis forum aims to provide adults living with any type of arthritis in Angus with access to ongoing and up to date information about their condition and its management as well as providing people with the chance to meet with others also living with arthritis.

The group was established to support people to live well with arthritis and, as well as providing information, the meeting offers a chance to chat with others living with arthritis over a cup of tea or coffee.

The meetings are organised by Angus Health & Social Care Partnership in partnership with the local Arthritis Forum.

For more information or to be added to the mailing list to receive advance notice about further meetings, please contact the Primary Care Team on 01307 474889 or email achppatientcourses.tayside@nhs.net.

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Arthritis forum to hear benefits of physical activity - Forfar Dispatch

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- Arthritis in seniors is no joking matter. Thats why Dr. Alicia Arnold talked to Courtney Everett about things older Americans can do around the home to help ease the pain. Their question and answer can be found below and you can watch the video above to learn more.

Dr. Alicia Arnold, The most common kind of arthritis in seniors is osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease. Normally we have cartilage protecting our joints by acting as a cushion in between our bones. In osteoarthritis, our cartilage breaks down, resulting in pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65. About half of people will get knee arthritis in their lives, and about 1 in 12 seniors have hand arthritis.

Arthritis is known for being painful.

Dr. Alicia Arnold, Arthritis is known for being uncomfortable, but one of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis is by staying active. Building muscles and stay flexible can help you be more comfortable. You can find ways to adjust your movements, such as pushing open doors with your shoulder or the sides of your arms.

Lets look at a few items youve brought in that may be helpful to anyone suffering from arthritis. Wed like to say thank you to Synergy Home Care, who contributed some of the ideas for these hacks.

Drinking glassesone lightweight and bumpy for gripping, --one with rubber band around it for grip

Gardening gloves with rubber coating to help open jars.

Foam hair roller over knife handle to help improve grip.

Round key rings or bobby pins or a paper clip through zipper pulls to help gripping zippers easier

Upside down ice cube tray to hold playing cards

Coffee mugpick your coffee mug up with two hands instead of using the handle. Similarly, pick a milk or juice jug up with both hands instead of using the handle.

Toilet cleaner tabletsanything you can use for pre-cleaning, like these automatic toilet bowl cleaner tablets or daily shower cleaner will lessen the amount you have to scrub and be easier on your joints

Scissorshaving scissors around will help you avoid ripping things open like a plastic bag or packet

Talk to us about arthritis and falls.

Dr. Alicia Arnold, Elderly adults with arthritis are more likely to have a fall injury than those without arthritis. Common places to fall include the bathroom and stairs. Slippery surfaces in the bathroom cause many falls. Grab bars and nonslip mats are helpful for the bathroom and you can consider using brightly colored tape along the edges of stairs to help seniors judge the distance and depth of the steps. You can also consider adding a second railing to the other side of the stairs to give seniors something else to hold onto.

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Health Beat with Dr. Alicia Arnold: Arthritis Help - WEAU

BISMARCK, N.D. - More than 100 people filled Legacy High School for the annual 'Walk to Cure Arthritis' event. People, and dogs, rallied together to raise funds to conquer arthritis once and for all.

Volunteers and participants joined the fight to help cure the joint disease, whether it's a personal experience with arthritis or not.

"We walk and volunteer for everyone that hurts. Weather it's the grandma that's just got old age Osteoarthritis, or kids who are born with a disease they don't deserve," says Andrea Pansegrau, participant.

Pansegraus daughter was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was an eighth grader. She says walking means a lot not only to her, but also her daughter.

"We're trying to raise hope. Because when you get this diagnosis it's devastating because as a parent, your mind just jumps to all the things they're not going to be able to do, all the experiences they may not be able to have, the things they're losing. Eventually you get a little hope, and things change," says Pansegrau.

The event hopes to spread awareness and to spread the champion of yes for the Arthritis community.

"It's really fun, because you can see the smiles and see that anything is possible. even with having a diagnosis of Arthritis that you can still do what you love," says Development Manager Britt Ingersoll.

The walk had family, fun games such as Twister and inflatables for kids to enjoy while parents walk for the cause.

The money raised during the event goes back to the Arthritis Foundation to bring programs back into North Dakota.

http://www.arthritis.org/north-dakota/

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Annual Walk to Cure Arthritis event raises awareness in the community - KFYR-TV