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If you have arthritis, staying physically active can help manage your symptoms.

Expert Care at Placentia-Linda Hospital
Treating the Aches of Arthritis

MORE THAN 42 MILLION AMERICANS SUFFER FROM SOME TYPE OF ARTHRITIS, MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST COMMON MEDICAL PROBLEMS IN AMERICA.* IT IS ALSO THE NO. 1 CAUSE OF DISABILITY IN THE COUNTRY.

"In light of the fact that people are living longer, more active lives, a tremendous amount of research has been done to improve quality of life," says Stewart Shanfield, MD, orthopedic surgeon and diplomate of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "This includes researching new ways to provide pain relief for arthritis sufferers, and advances in techniques for preserving and repairing cartilage."

Types of Arthritis
The three most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects nearly 21 million people in the United States.** It is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage, usually in the hands and large, weight-bearing joints like knees and hips. OA can cause stiffness and joint pain as well as decreased range of motion.

OA can be caused by joint injury or the natural process of aging. Women have a higher risk of developing the disease, as do people who are overweight, those over age 45 and those with certain hereditary conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and swelling in joints. With RA, the immune system attacks the synovium, the tissue that lines the joint, and causes inflammation that damages bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Eventually, the joint loses shape and alignment.

More than 2 million Americans are affected, and the disease is more common among women.** Other risk factors include heredity, smoking and exposure to an infection. The disease generally strikes at a younger age than OA.

Gout is a painful disease caused by deposits of uric acid in the connective tissue and joint spaces. It causes swelling, redness, pain and stiffness in the joints, usually in the feet. Men are more prone to the disease than women. Excessive alcohol consumption and certain medical problems, such as untreated high blood pressure, can increase risk of developing gout.

Living with Arthritis
"Unfortunately, there is no treatment to cure arthritis," says Michael Rubinstein, MD, orthopedic surgeon. "It's important to understand the condition and how it hinders the way your body functions. Treatment may range from something as simple as wearing a splint to surgery such as arthroscopy (minimally invasive) or joint replacement." Pain medications may alleviate symptoms, while immunosuppressant drugs can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Although there are some factors for arthritis that are uncontrollable, like age and heredity, you can control the following to help slow the onset of arthritis or manage its symptoms.

Maintain a healthy weight. This can ease pressure on your joints, minimizing your risk for developing osteoarthritis.
Do strengthening exercises. Strong muscles help support joints.

Dr. Shanfield recommends staying active at all stages of life, because a healthy body weight and exercise play a role in keeping joints healthy and protected. If you already suffer from arthritis, exercise can help you manage symptoms. "The key to living with arthritis is to maintain range of motion and strength," Dr. Rubinstein says. "Range-of-motion exercises can help maintain joint mobility and decrease pain from stiffness. Aerobic activities such as walking or biking can improve your cardiovascular health and help you control your weight."

In addition to exercise, get plenty of sleep and follow your treatment plan. Take anti-inflammatory medications or other medications prescribed by your doctor and exercise regularly. Skipping treatment recommendations may backfire and lead to increased symptoms.

Get Help
You don't have to let arthritis slow you down. A healthy lifestyle can help protect against arthritis and help manage symptoms if you already have it. "In addition, there are newer techniques and medications that help improve the lives of arthritis sufferers," Dr. Shanfield says. Talk with your doctor about more ways to treat and manage arthritis.

For more information, please call 1-800-554-7879 or visit our web site at www.placentialinda.com/orthopartners. PL

*		Source: Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org.
**		Source: National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, www.niams.nih.gov.

It Is the WEATHER

Researchers have finally documented what arthritis sufferers have claimed for years: There is a correlation between weather patterns – specifically changes in barometric pressure and cooler temperatures – and arthritis pain.

Scientists examined two sets of data, one on weather reports and one on arthritis sufferers' pain records. When they matched the appropriate ZIP code to the patient, they found a correlation between changes in barometric pressure and increased knee pain. Cooler temperatures appeared to contribute to more pain as well. Rainfall and dew points, however, had no significant association.

Source: The National Women's Health Information Center, www.4women.gov.

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