Arthritis

1/3 With Arthritis Report Anxiety or Depression

Many May Treat Arthritis Symptoms, but Miss Out on Help for Emotional Issues By Denise Mann Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD April 30, 2012 -- One-third of people 45 and older with arthritis ...

Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants Have Higher Fail Rates

Study: All-Metal Hip Replacements Fail Faster Than Other Types By Brenda Goodman, MA Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD March 12, 2012 -- Data from the world’s largest joint replacement registr...

Health Tip: Warning Signs of Foot Arthritis

-- Arthritis is a painful joint condition, and the feet are common hosts.The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons mentions these potential symptoms of foot arthritis:Tenderness and pain.Stiffness and reduced ability to move the f...

Health Tip: Are You at Risk for Hip Bursitis?

-- Hip bursitis occurs when the bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions the hip joint, becomes inflamed.The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons mentions these risk factors for hip bursitis:Having a repetitive stress injury fro...

More Than 4 Million Americans Have New Knee

FRIDAY, Feb. 10 -- More than 4 million Americans now live with an artificial knee, and increasing numbers of younger patients are undergoing knee replacement surgery, new research reveals.Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital ...

New Therapy Might Help Relieve Painful Foot Condition

WEDNESDAY Feb. 8 -- For people struggling with plantar fasciitis -- a painful and sometimes disabling foot condition -- a small, preliminary study suggests that a new type of therapy is more effective than standard cortisone injecti...

Tai Chi Improves Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Study: Tai Chi Leads to Smoother, Steadier Movements, Longer Strides, and Fewer Falls Compared to Other Types of Exercise By Brenda Goodman, MAWebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Feb. 8, 2012 -- Tai chi, a type of exercise that gui...

Coping With Chronic Rheumatic Diseases

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Medical Editor: Catherine B. Driver, MD Having a temporary condition that is destined to resolve is one thing. A chronic illness, however, has a completely different impact on the lives of pati...

Arthritis - Whether Weather Affects Arthritis

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Medical Editor: Catherine B. Driver, MD Doctors who specialize in the treatment of patients with arthritis (myself included) generally agree that many patients experience a worsening of j...

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Questions for Your Doctor

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Medical Editor: Catherine B. Driver, MD Note: We recommend you use this page as a reference for your consultation with your doctor. 1. What is my diagnosis, and how can I learn more about...

Pain (Acute and Chronic)

"Nothing begins, and nothing ends, That is not paid with moan; For we are born in other's pain, And perish in our own." -- James Kenneth Stephen Medical Author: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACRMedical Editor: Melissa...

Rheumatoid Arthritis - When Do I Call the Doctor?

Rheumatoid Warning Signs Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD Doctors pay for beepers. So what are these beepers for? This article is about a reason that my beeper battery commonly wears...

Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Mrs. K.D. is a 43-year-old wife and mother of two children and suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis. This is her story... I have rheumatoid arthritis and would like to share with you the details of what a typical day is like for me from ...

Does Obesity Cause Pain?

Study: Obese People Are in Pain More Often, Even if They Are Healthy By Brenda Goodman, MAWebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Jan. 30, 2012 -- A large new study shows that obesity and pain often go hand in hand. That appears to be ...

Those Extra Pounds Could Harm Your Back

MONDAY, Jan. 30 -- Overweight and obese adults are at significantly increased risk for lumbar spine disc degeneration, a potential cause of low back pain, researchers say.Previous research has linked having a higher body-mass index (...

Enriched Milk May Ease Gout

Drinking Enriched Skim Milk May Curb Painful Gout Flare-ups By Jennifer Warner Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Jan. 23, 2012 -- Drinking a daily dose of enriched skim milk may help reduce go...

Narrowed Artery Condition Often Goes Undiagnosed: Study

THURSDAY, Jan. 19 -- Millions of Americans have an undiagnosed artery disorder that can lead to high blood pressure, stroke and aneurysms, a new study reveals.The disorder is fibromuscular dysplasia, an accumulation of fibrous tissue...

5 Surprising Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Karina Lichtenstein MedicineNet.com Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Think you know everything there is to know about rheumatoid arthritis? These five facts might surprise you. Smoking can trigger rheumatoid arthritis. Smoke...

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Which Patients Do Best?

The Roles of Patient Knowledge and Motivation, Compliance, and Self-Management in Outcome Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Medical Editor: Catherine Burt Driver, MD Health care is an evolving art-science. Long gone are th...

Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint Symptoms: What Do They Mean?

What Is the Significance of Joint Pain, Swelling, Stiffness, Warmth, Limping, and Loss of Range of Motion? Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Medical Editor: Catherine Burt Driver, MD Every patient with rheumatoid arthritis...

Genes May Give Clues to Severe Form of Lupus

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 18 -- Researchers have identified a DNA sequence that appears to speed up the progression of lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues."Enhancers" are DNA sequences that ac...

Knee, Hip Replacements Carry Blood Clot Risk

Study: About 1 in 100 Knee Replacement Patients Will Develop a Blood Clot Before Leaving the Hospital By Kathleen Doheny Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Jan. 17, 2012 -- Doctors have long kn...

Surgery Seems Most Effective for Herniated Discs

MONDAY, Jan. 9 -- Married people benefit most from surgery for herniated spinal discs, according to a new study.And, overall, researchers found that surgery is more effective than nonsurgical treatment options for herniated discs. In...

Health Tip: Is My Neck Pain Serious?

-- Neck pain can stem from a variety of factors and conditions, from injury to a soft-tissue abnormality.Most cases resolve on their own, but some require immediate diagnosis and treatment. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon...

Coping With Psoriatic Arthritis

Cope with the emotional and physical demands of psoriatic arthritis with these management tips. By Hilary Parker Feature Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD The aching joints and draining fatigue of psoriatic arth...

Drug Already on Market May Be a Boon to Gout Patients

Arcalyst Used in Tandem With Another Drug Helped Prevent Painful Gout Flare-ups By Salynn Boyles Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Jan. 5, 2012 -- A drug already on the market for some rare cond...

Spinal Manipulation, Home Exercise May Ease Neck Pain

MONDAY, Jan. 2 -- Spinal manipulation and home exercise are more effective at relieving neck pain in the long term than medications, according to new research. People undergoing spinal manipulation therapy for neck pain also reported...

Health Tip: Exercising With Arthritis

-- Physical activity, an important part of arthritis management, can help improve pain and joint flexibility.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these low-impact exercises that offer benefits without undue ...

Racial Disparities Seem to Persist in Depression Diagnosis

TUESDAY, Dec. 27 -- Racial and cultural factors still affect the diagnosis and treatment of depression in elderly Americans, despite improvements to diagnostic tools and therapies in recent decades, according to a new study.Researche...

Tai Chi for Arthritis Relief

Gentle movements of the ancient Chinese exercise tai chi are one of many alternatives to help elderly people find pain relief. By Jeanie Lerche Davis Feature Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD The...