Other types of arthritis Archive

Older adults typically sit for about 65% to 80% of their waking hours. One problem of prolonged sitting is pain due to gluteal amnesia. It occurs from a weak gluteus medius-one of the three gluteal muscles that help stabilize the pelvis and maintain the body's proper alignment. Moving more often during the day and doing exercises that strengthen weak gluteal muscles can help prevent this problem.

Many people who develop rheumatoid arthritis later in life don't receive optimal medications to treat it, called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Reasons for this include the high costs of DMARDs, concerns about drug side effects, coexisting conditions that complicate treatment, inaccessibility to health care, or perceived frailty that makes doctors nervous about prescribing DMARDs. People who feel they should be getting DMARDs (but aren't) should ask about ways to make such treatment feasible.

A growing number of people ages 60 and older suffer from knee osteoarthritis. If lifestyle strategies, such as weight loss, physical therapy, exercise, and oral or topical medications don't offer sufficient pain relief, people may benefit from either corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections. Injections can provide immediate pain relief, reduce inflammation, and increase mobility. However, they are a temporary treatment that won't cure knee osteoarthritis or change the course of the disease.

The most common causes of hand pain include osteoarthritis, nerve conditions, and tendinitis. To help manage the pain and avoid surgery, doctors recommend splinting, corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatories, heat and cold applications, and hand exer

Hallux rigidus is stiffness in the big toe caused by arthritis in its joint. It can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication or sometimes a corticosteroid injection, but if these measures are unsuccessful, surgery may be necessary.

Rotator cuff tendinits is the most common shoulder injury. The best course of treatment is to rest, apply ice, take ibuprofen, and do stretching and strengthening exercises.

Osteoarthritis affects more women than men. Risk factors include earlier joint injuries, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or family history. People can try to prevent arthritis by staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in low-impact exercise.

A gentle form of soccer called walking soccer is packed with health benefits. It's a great way to socialize, exercise, and keep knee cartilage healthy. Playing the game also helps reinforce a person's ability to maintain balance and the ability to produce physical power, such as the force needed to get out of a chair and stand up. However, the game does pose some physical risks, such as ankle sprains, flare-ups of knee arthritis, and falls that result in wrist, arm, or elbow fractures.