Saturday, October 5, 2013

Gearing up for Outdoor Spring Activities: Managing Knee Pain


Spring is coming and with it comes increased outdoor activities, but millions of people are limited because of knee pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 21 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, which is characterized by a breakdown of the cartilage and a deterioration of the fluid in a joint.

The symptoms of OA include pain and stiffness, which can range from mild to severe. While, the majority of OA sufferers are 45 years of age and older, OA can be diagnosed at any age due to knee injury and sports-related trauma.

According to Nicholas A. DiNubile, MD, a clinical assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and an orthopedic consultant to the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers and the Pennsylvania Ballet, "Genetics may play a part in the development of osteoarthritis. Some people may be born with knee alignment problems that predispose them to wear or a genetic problem with their cartilage, which causes the cartilage to break down in the joint as the person ages or in younger individuals who engage in rigorous activity."

Alternatives to Oral Pain Relievers

There are a number of FDA-approved, pill-free alternatives to COX-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and naproxen) that offer OA knee pain relief with less cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects. There are clinically proven options, among them a treatment known as viscosupplementation, which is a series of three to five injections that can provide up to six months of pain relief.

Alternative treatments to oral pain relievers include:

* Exercise, weight loss, physical therapy
These types of treatments are usually the first step in OA therapy. Often, approaches such as exercise, weight loss, and physical therapy can be combined with other treatments to produce the best results. For example, weight loss can reduce the amount of stress on a knee joint, and physical therapy can help strengthen knee joints.

* Nutritional Supplements
Products like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are commonly used to treat OA knee pain. However, the clinical evidence to support the role of these supplements in helping OA knee pain sufferers is somewhat controversial.

* Corticosteroid injections
This treatment can be used to reduce local inflammation and swelling, which may in turn relieve OA knee pain. However, pain relief with these agents is usually short-term and the number of injections per year per knee may be limited.

* Viscosupplementation
In knee OA, synovial (or joint) fluid can break down and provide less cushioning and lubrication. Viscosupplementation is a treatment that replaces diseased joint fluid. Healthcare professionals inject a gel that is similar to healthy synovial fluid into a patient's knee joint, which can reduce the pain from OA of the knee. Viscosupplementation products have been proven to provide pain relief from osteoarthritis of the knee and when treatment is started early enough it might reduce the need for a total knee replacement in the future.

Currently, Synvisc (www.synvisc.com) is the top-selling viscosupplementation treatment, which can be administered by a knee pain specialist during a series of three office visits, providing relief for up to six months.

Also, in a medical study reported by Dr. J.P. Raynauld and colleagues, patients who added Synvisc to usual care such as diet, exercise and oral medications reported significantly greater pain relief than those who received usual care alone.

* Surgery
In more advanced cases of OA of the knee, surgery may be the last option. This may include arthroscopy to remove damaged cartilage and loose bodies. For some people, a complete joint replacement may be needed.

"The most important thing patients can do to determine the treatment that's right for them is talk to their doctors. Whether cases are mild, moderate or severe, OA of the knee can progress and pain may get worse over time. With the right treatment, sufferers can get the pain relief needed to lead a more active life," says Dr. DiNubile.

The Stance - The Most Important Aspect of Excellent Pool Play


Pool is a difficult sport, one requiring mental concentration, proper form and stance and a lot of practice. Being a whiz at geometry and knowing the right angles to pot a ball are no guarantees of success. Indeed, you need to make sure you have work on your fundamentals before you play and as you play.

One of the best ways to learn to play pool better is by watching excellent players. Attend a professional tournament if you can and just view a person playing. You'll learn a lot about her concentration skills, the way she approaches each shot and the way she executes it with precision. This will give you a working basis for playing like a pro.

Another good thing to do is to practice with another person who's at least equal in skill, if not better. He can watch your stance, your stroke and your approach and give you advice and guidance. You should also, if possible, make a video of your practice session. This is what pro football, golf and baseball players do, and it's an excellent learning tool. Be careful - you might cringe when you see your sloppy mechanics. If you have a partner or video to view, you can also find out why you missed a certain shot -- was it your approach, your form, your angle? Honestly, these two approaches are excellent at helping you master the fundamentals you need to be a hustler!

Perfecting your stance is of the utmost importance. It doesn't matter where you place your head in relation to the cue. Some people, especially older ones, like to keep it one to two feet above the cue, others, like me, like to have it almost on the cue. Whatever works for you is fine. When you stand, no one should be able to knock your shoulders around; rather, they should stay square and in place. This way you will stay planted in your stance. Then find out where you like to place your legs. Pretend you have a tripod and place your feet comfortably in that area somewhere. Keep your knees bent a little and maintain relaxation in your legs.

Then play a game of pool and focus on your stance with every shot. You'll then notice little things each time you shoot, such as your legs being askew or your head uncomfortable. Ask the person which whom you play to watch you, too, and offer constructive criticism with each shot. Soon, you'll be able to stand correctly with each shot you make. And your game will improve exponentially.

I cannot stress how important your stance is. Practice, practice, practice! You'll need it!

The Best Relief From Arthritis Pain


Arthritis means inflammation in the joints. Inflammation gives rise to pain, swelling, redness and increase in the temperature of the local area. This is of several types.

Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), Arthritis after Rheumatic fever- to name a few.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common arthritic disorder involving human being. By default, arthritis is referred to Osteoarthritis.

Knee or hip arthritis has affected more than 100,000 persons in the United States leading to so disablement that they are unable to move across the rooms. Even they are not capable to go to toilet. The basic reason behind OA is destruction of the articular cartilage of the joint spaces (the cartilaginous material that covers two ends of the bones forming a joint).

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs after bodily response to certain types of infection. It is a host-infection type reaction. RA (Rheumatoid arthritis ) factor gets increased in the body. The joints are mostly affected giving rise to pain and deformity.

There is deposition of Uric acid crystals in the joint spaces in Gout.

All the types of arthritis cause pain in the joint. And to get relief from arthritis pain, the following procedures are followed by the doctors. In the infants and adolescents, the specific type of arthritis occurs what is called JRA. JRA is genetically determined. Rheumatic fever also causes some specific types of joint deformity.

Reduction of weight- Osteoarthritis causes destruction of the articular cartilages. And if the person suffering is overweight, there will be more loss of cartilaginous tissues.

So the first and foremost criterion in virtually any kind of arthritis is reduction in the load of the joint. Weight reduction by various methods is very much helpful to achieve this. Only 24% of the patients suffering from the report that they are involved in some kind of physical activity. But sedentary lifestyle also increases the risk of other diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, and Coronary Artery Disease etc.

For this reason, doctors prescribe some form of free hand exercise initially to reduce weight in the patients suffering from Arthritis. Gradually, the amount and the magnitude are increased.

Pain relief from arthritis [http://www.arthritissymptoms.org/arthritis-pain-relief.htm] with Thermal modalities- hot fomentation is one of the commonest and age old treatment modalities. Various forms of hot fomentation techniques are available in the market. Hot water bath is the best method in regard to patient compliance.

Patient education- for effective pain control among the patients suffering from Arthritis, reassurance, encouragement, proper guidance towards useful pain relief and recommendations regarding actions to unload the arthritic joint may become fruitful in a comprehensive pain relief from it.

Medication- first line drug for any type of pain in the body is NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug). Drug therapy for arthritis is only palliative. Arrays of NSAIDs are available in the market. Still the first generations Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Diclofenac or the combination of these are prescribed by the doctors.

Modern Selective COX-2 selective inhibitors have proved their efficacy for successful pain control. Intra-articular injection of steroids is helpful to suppress the arthritic pain for a prolonged period of time although this is an invasive procedure.

Intra-articular injection of Hyaluroran is beneficial to relieve Osteoarthritis.

How Can Electricity Help Arthritis


What is considered an emerging area for arthritis therapy is the use of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and electrotherapeutics. Termed, "electroceuticals", PEMF are highly-refined electromagnetic fields that are now being used to non-invasively "kickstart" the body's natural anti-inflammatory response to treat pain and inflammation and help soft tissue wounds heal faster.

Numerous in vitro and clinical studies have demonstrated that electric and magnetic energy has a positive effect on connective tissue healing. This has prompted an extensive amount of research in orthopedics and rheumatology. While modern pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) have been available for more than 20 years, they are only now becoming a standard of care for delayed union fracture treatment.

Electromagnetic fields can be delivered by using direct placement of an electrode non-invasively by capacitive coupling (opposing electrodes placed on skin across the target area) or inductive coupling (PEMF induce an electric current in the target area without skin contact altogether).

In a randomized trial, Zizic et al studied a pulsed electric device used to treat 78 patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis via skin surface electrodes. The active treatment was superior to placebo in symptom reduction and was proved to be effective for symptom reduction and cost effective (Zizic TM, Hoffman KC, Holt PA, Hungerford DS, O'Dell JR, Jacobs MA, Lewis CG, Deal CL, Caldwell JR, Cholewczynski JG, et al. The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with pulsed electrical stimulation. J Rheumatol 22(9):1757-61, 1995).

The application of PEMF stimulation for osteoarthritis has been supported by additional work by Trock et al. In their experiment 86 patients with knee osteoarthritis were exposed to 9 hours of PEMF stimulation over a 1-month period using a non-contact device. Up to 36% of the patients noticed improvement in pain and function. PEMF therapy is considered safe but should be avoided in those who are pregnant, those patients with permanent pacemakers and patients with known cancer (Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of osteoarthritisof the knee and cervical spine. Report of randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials. Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. Rheumatol 21(10):1903-11, 1994).

Because of the non invasive nature of this mode of therapy, it has promise as an additional weapon in the arsenal of the rheumatologist in treating osteoarthritis. Where PEMF will fall exactly in the sequence of treatment is still unknown. Further experience should clarify this issue.

Bodyweight Training - Back Pack Training for Elite Physical Fitness


A great way to add to your training is to get a good back pack and load it up for a different type of workout. A weight vest is good but distributes weight pretty evenly, a back pack wants to move around and is always trying to pull you back, and forces your body to make adjustments; building more muscles as well as burning more fat in a faster more effective way.

The great thing about back pack training it gets you ready for real life training.

The military's special forces use back packs for long 15 to 20 mile hikes, you can use a back pack for pushups, step-ups, hill climbs, stair stepping, pull-ups etc.

Adding as little as 20 lbs in a back pack will change the way your body will respond to an exercise like pushups, an extra 20lbs will knock the number of pushups down more than 50 %, if you are not used to it.

So, why not just lift weights if you are just adding weight? If pushups will use more muscles then bench pressing how do you think your body will respond when you add an 20 extra pounds.

Anytime you force the body to work against gravity with an unbalanced load other muscles will need to respond to make up for weaker ones, this alone will build a functional base you need for real life situations.

I use back pack training to build physical and mental toughness. If you add an extra 40 lbs in your back pack and you make it where the exercise gets uncomfortable and you keep going despite the moving and the shifting of the weight over a set period of time you can build a high level of physical and mental toughness.

Every so called fit man will say he can do back pack training and the fact, if the military's special forces train this way this alone should tell you that only the elite will be rewarded. The problem everyone thinks he's in the elite category, and very few are. But this will test you, physically and mentally.

Want to build a little physical and mental toughness? Try this workout!

Load a back pack with 40 lbs, strap the pack up good. The goal is to walk 1 mile and in the 1 mile hike you will drop and do as many pushups as you can, stand up -keep walking and stopping whenever you can and do more pushups.

Here's the tough part, and get ready for your body to start shaking and straining. The goal is to do 250 to 500 pushups in that 1 mile hike and you cannot cross the 1 mile marker before you complete the number of pushups you have chosen.

Also coming out of the pushup position your knees are never to hit the ground, get right back on your feet and keep walking.

Think you can walk 1 mile and do 250 to 500 pushups in 30 minutes. Try it!

If you have the guts you'll give it a try.

Anderson Silva Is The Real Deal


Most UFC fans had their first introduction to Anderson "The Spider" Silva when he knocked out Chris Leben on UFC's Ultimate Fight Night in June of 2006. Chris Leben was, and is, considered a durable striker with a great chin. Leben came straight at Silva and paid the price when Silva landed a couple of crisp punches, followed by a devastating knee to Leben's head.

The victory was so devastating and so one sided that UFC president Dana White immediately gave Silva a shot at Rich Franklin's middleweight belt. I think most UFC fans thought that even with a decisive victory over Leben that Franklin's experience and strength would be enough to counter Silva's obvious striking ability.

Most UFC fans would have been incorrect. Silva's work from the clinch was unbelievable. He literally held the back of Franklin's head for 2 minutes while he repeatedly kneed Franklin to the body. When Franklin went to protect his now bruised torso, Silva went to the head landing a couple of hard knees. It was those knees which broke Franklin's nose and won Silva the fight.

So, now Anderson Silva must face Ultimate Fighter season 4 winner Travis Lutter on February 3rd, 2007. Even though he took out the champion and a highly regarded contender, some people still have their doubts. Unlike many UFC fans, I also have followed the Pride organization for many years. The first time I took notice of Anderson Silva was when he brought Carlos Newton to the ground with a flying knee, not unlike the one given to Leben. At the time, Carlos Newton was thought to be one of the best fighters in the world. That was 2003.

Anderson Silva is no newcomer to Mixed Martial Arts, he is a seasoned veteran. He's beaten people standing up and on the ground. He is deceptively strong and the only word to describe his striking is "amazing". I once saw him knock out an opponent with an uppercut elbow. Just try that yourself and ask yourself this, how do you get close enough to a guy to throw that and how do you throw it hard enough to knock the other guy out. Amazing!

On the other hand Travis Lutter is an excellent submission specialist, but who has he submitted? He certainly defeated Patrick Cote easily in the Ultimate Fighter Final. But other than that, his victories don't come over top notch guys. You could argue that his victory over Marvin Eastman, who is facing Rampage Jackson on the same card, was against a top notch guy. However, I would argue that Marvin Eastman also hasn't won a big fight in a while. At least not against UFC level competition.

I believe that Anderson Silva will come out of this one with a victory. He has holes in his game, but it might take a newly motivated Rich Franklin to exploit them. I don't think Travis Lutter is ready.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Save Your Back and Spills With the Magic Tap Automated Drink Dispenser


How many times throughout the day do you hear "Mom, can you get me some juice" or "Dad, I need some milk?" If you are raising kids, then you know exactly how many times. Thing is that kids simply cannot lift a gallon of milk without help until they start getting older. Otherwise you are risking tip overs, spills and huge messes. Does this sound like a great way to start or end a day? Of course not, but what can you really do about it? How about using the Magic Tap Automated Drink Dispenser?

The battery-operated Magic Tap Dispenser is an outstanding way to help your kids feel a degree of independence by easily allowing them to get their own milk, juice, water, or whichever drinks you want to be accessible with ease. It uses a super powerful mini motor to drive the liquid up the straw and into your bowel or glass easily and cleanly. No more worries about reaching in to snag a jug only to knock it over making a huge mess. It is as easy to use as pushing your glass or bowel against the tap and watching it fill in no time!

Want to leave the milk jug or juice in the fridge? Want to eliminate the need for your kids to be lifting the containers? If so, then I feel totally confident in recommending that you try the Magic Tap Spill Free Drink Dispenser. This will eliminate those 6 a.m. spills (that you may not even notice until 9 a.m. while also offering your children a degree of independence that they will absolutely love.

With a gallon of whole milk weighing in at 8.6 lbs, if you lift it twice per day (once out of the fridge and once back in) for a year, then you will have bent and lifted a total of 6278 lbs for the year! Doesn't sound like a lot, but if you're constantly lifting from a lower shelf in the fridge it can add up quickly. Imagine how your knees and back will thank you when you eliminate the need to do this over and over. That's why I think the Magic Tap is a great not just for my kids, but for my parents who are getting up there in age.

Sure, exercise is great when done properly, but constantly bending to drag that much weight in and out of the refrigerator is worse for you than you might imagine. With this little nifty device, I'm looking forward to not just saving spills, but also saving my back.

The Fist - Over Rated?


When we think of fighting, most people see themselves as punching some one with their fists.

Most are looking for that big knock out.

The only problem is that the human hand is made up of many very fragile bones. Sure you can harden them by striking shot bags, sand and things like that, but this really does damage to your hand.

Boxers primary weapons are their fists, but notice they have a lot of protection on them and they still get broken bones. In most other martial arts, kung fu, karate, kick boxing, we have many weapons to work with. Elbows, forearms, knees, shins, palms, fingers for for certain targets, etc.

If you watch an experienced martial artist fight he or she may not even use a fist for striking.
You could use a palm to the nose or elbow to the ribs or head.

If you go to some of the video sites you can watch some beat downs, notice that most of the street fighters go straight for the head and use primarily their fists.

Thats what makes a martial artist different from a street fighter, they are expecting for us to fight the same way as they do.

I've defeated street fighters with something as simple as a lite chop to the throat or finger behind the ear. But sometimes it took a whole lot more.

Anyway what I'm saying here is mix up your techniques and try sparring or practicing using everything except your fists and see what you come up with.

I will practice and use nothing but leverage moves or kicks, elbows, knees, sweeps etc.

It's fun and makes you a more disciplined fighter.

Give it a try.

Brief Introduction to Surgery Games


Online and offline games are a craze these days with kids and adult alike. Some people spend more hours playing games than working for livelihood. Currently, operation and surgery games are the current favorite. In these, the player becomes a virtual surgeon and performs all kinds of surgeries of their choice.

They are played as:

Board Games- This surgery game requires the player to remove objects from the body of the patient without creating any impact on the patient. Sponge bob's Barnacle Brain, Homer Simpson, Cavity Sam, and Patty Pleasure are some of the popular ones.

PC Games- These games show the inner world of Emergency Rooms from a close perspective.

Console Games- This surgery game require the player to perform surgeries to increase game levels.

Below are some descriptions of popular surgery games played online:

1. Open Heart Surgery- The player performs heart by-pass operation and tries to prevent blood vessel blockage.
2. Heart Operation- It means performing heart transplant, fixing heart valves, or doing by-pass surgery. Procedures are length and can scare the faint hearted too.
3. Knee Surgery- Done on sport persons needing knee transplant or installing metal knees. Sometimes, they are accompanied with questions to be answered before progressing. It provides loads of information on knee surgery.
4. Hip Replacement- Like knee surgery, this game provides patients with new hips to athletes. This game is as engrossing as knee surgery and the procedure is as detailed as before.
5. Dental Games- Fighting tooth decay, tooth cavity, extracting molars, or even root canalling are some of the game features.
6. Simple Operation- This game is suitable for beginners. Player has 10 levels to attain and they have to search for objects placed in the patient's body. No particular body part is focused; it is an overall search operation.

5 Tips for Dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain


Do you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and have had to quit taking your prescription pain medication because of harmful side effects? Are you looking for natural alternatives to help you deal with the pain that you face doing everyday tasks? If the answers to these questions are yes, then the following tips for relieving rheumatoid arthritis are just what you have been waiting for.

1- The most important thing that anyone can do for their bodies is to exercise. This includes those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis as well. However, not every exercise is suitable for sufferers of arthritis pain. The exercises that are done need to be good for the muscle, while not being damaging for the joints. A great exercise for those who are living with rheumatoid arthritis, in fact for everyone, is walking. Walking is a good low impact activity that does not put unneeded pressure on the joints. Other alternatives to walking are biking or walking in a pool.

2- The topic of exercising as a way to relieve the pain of arthritis leads into another tip. It is very important to incorporate balancing exercises into your daily routine. For example, water aerobics and Tai Chi are two types of balancing exercises. The reason for these types of activities is that balancing is a very effective way of strengthening without undue pressure on the joints. However, if the joints do begin to hurt, the activity should be stopped. If the pain continues more than a couple of days, it would be wise to consult your physician.

3- If you are suffering from the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, it is a good idea to concentrate on your overall body weight. If this is an issue for you, speak with your doctor about ways that are suitable for you to take it off. When you are dealing with any type of arthritis pain, the extra weight makes it worse. Consider this; there is about 30 pound of force placed on the knees for each ten pounds of weight that is being carried. Therefore, the ability to lose ten pounds will effectively result in 30 pounds of force being lifted from the knee.

4- Some rheumatoid arthritis sufferers find that applying hot or cold compresses can help to alleviate some of the pain that is associated with their condition. When using this method of pain relief, there is a simple rule to remember, ice reduces pain while the heat will loosen the joints and boost blood flow.

5- This next tip, while not an actual treatment option, is very important to your emotional well-being. Educate yourself regarding your condition, this will improve your attitude as well as eliminate the element of surprise. Many people are afraid to ask questions when they are faced with a debilitating illness, they just wait for the bad stuff to start happening and many end up depressed. Don't be one of those people, ask your doctor, ask friends, do research, learn as much as you can about rheumatoid arthritis so that you can better deal with it.

Arthritis Treatment: Does Stem Cell Treatment for Osteoarthritis Really Work?


The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), affects more than 20 million Americans. One of the primary targets for this disease is the knee.

Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear disease involving hyaline articular cartilage. It arises as a result of the lack of ability of cartilage to keep up with excessive breakdown.

The basic treatment approach for osteoarthritis has not changed in more than 50 years. Basically, physicians have been trained to treat the symptoms of pain and try to restore function and wait for the inexorable journey to joint replacement.

Different modalities such as physical therapy, analgesics (pain relievers), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), exercises, braces, topical agents, and injections of either corticosteroids ("cortisone"), or viscosupplements (lubricants) are all tried and then the doctor throws up his or her hands and says to the patient "you need a knee replacement."

So essentially there is a huge void between management of symptoms and eventual surgery.

Recently, excitement has swirled around the role of regenerative medicine techniques in solving the osteoarthritis conundrum. These include the use of platelet-rich plasma and stem cells.

Unfortunately, this interest has had untoward side effects. The first is the proliferation of practitioners who have jumped on the band wagon without the requisite training.

The second is the media hype generated by this relatively new treatment approach.

An example recently is the headline in an Australian newspaper, "A "MIRACLE" cutting-edge stem cell operation could have saved Sharks forward Anthony Tupou's career."

In case you're not up on rugby, Anthony Tupou was a former star in the sport. He underwent a stem cell procedure involving the use of fat-derived stem cells for a knee issue. And this procedure has apparently resurrected his career.

Dr. Paul Annett, a sports physician, raised an interesting counterpoint on his blog. He quite rightly pointed out that many procedures performed in the realm of sports medicine are performed because they "might be helpful" and are relatively innocuous.

He then posits that "there are many potential reasons this procedure may of benefit to some patients, including the 'placebo effect', the normal fluctuation of arthritic disease or some mechanical effect of the injection itself. Anthony's knee may just feel better as he had an off-season without running!

And he then goes on to say, "The ethical way of getting around this is for the proponents of this technique to perform some randomised double-blind clinical trials (the 'gold standard' of studies) to rigorously confirm the relative benefits..."

And I couldn't agree more. While there is abundant anecdotal evidence that these procedures have benefit, there are no rigorous double-blind controlled trials. The reasons are probably two fold.

First, it's difficult to get a biotech or pharmaceutical company to fund a study involving the use of a patient's own body tissue. Where's the profit?

The second is that the process of getting grants from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Arthritis Foundation in the U.S. is unbelievably arduous.

At our center we have done what we can to systematize the procedure as well as document various measures so that while uncontrolled, there is at least data collection being done. (Wei N, Beard S, Delauter S, Bitner C, Gillis R, Rau L, Miller C, Clark T. Guided Mesenchymal Stem Cell Layering Technique for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Applied Res. 2011; 11: 44-48)

Why Your Cracking Bones And Joints Are Talking To You


Often times I have patients who will tell me they hear funny snapping, crackling and popping noises coming from their knees, hips, ankles, wrists during different motions and wonder if they've cracked or damaged the bone somehow. I assure them this is, generally, not the case and that those funny noises can be caused by a number of things that I'd like to share with you.

Why Your Bones Are Talking To You

Throughout the course of the day and whatever movements you make, you may occasionally hear a variety of different sounding noises from your joints. Most often these noises are nothing to be concerned about, especially if you are not experiencing pain at the time you hear the noise. There are a number of reasons that can explain cracking joints and noises - like these:


  • Gases: Inside your joints there is a lubricant called synovial fluid. This fluid contains the gases oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. When a certain movement causes the joint capsule to stretch, it often makes a popping noise from these gases escaping. Almost always this is just a funny noise and does no harm to the joint.

  • Tendons, joints, and ligaments movement: In their normal movements, tendons, joints, and ligaments sometimes get out of position and become slightly out of place. This can happen more often if these structures are weak from lack of exercise or over-exertion/wrong exercise. The "snapping" noise you may hear when this happens is the part righting itself to its normal position. Also, your ligaments and tendons tighten during movement of the joint, especially knees and ankles, which can cause a cracking sound. Take time to stretch every morning to improve this condition. Natural Health Suggestion: If you go to the gym and work out on weighted equipment, never do the seated leg raise where the padded bar is over your ankles and you have to raise the bar with your legs. This causes pressure on the knee joint and can stretch the tendons or ligaments so that normal movement can even cause them to slip out of place and/or damage to the joint.

  • Arthritis/Worn Cartilage: In arthritis, worn cartilage can cause bone on bone friction which can sound like bubble wrap crackling. This noise can, however, be accompanied by pain as well. Natural Health Suggestion: Try taking some Omega 3 oils to help with the inflammation that is likely present within the joint as well as aid in lubrication. Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts that contain magnesium to help relieve pain in the joint. Be sure you are getting enough calcium and Vitamin D3 in your diet to help build the bone up. If you are overweight, getting rid of extra pounds will take a lot of pressure off your joints and help with movement.

  • Snapping Hip Syndrome: Also called "dancer's hip", this condition occurs most often in athletes or people who weight train from the tendon becoming overly thickened. The snapping occurs when the hip is extended or flexed and is accompanied by a popping noise and possibly pain or discomfort. Natural Health Suggestion: Usually resting the leg will help and staying off it for a while. Sometimes icing the area also helps. Since inflammation usually starts to occur from this recurrent friction, taking 2,000 mg of Omega 3 oils can help decrease it. Stretching the hip muscles, particularly the iliopsoas tendon or iliotibial band, with slow and deliberate stretching movements before activity will help it become more limber so that the structures are not so tight that they snap with stronger movements.

As I explain to my patients, all these creaking, snapping, popping, and crackling noises you hear when you stretch or exercise or even just simply move around are nothing to worry about. Most often they stem from not being as limber as you could be and your tendons and ligaments are in a somewhat tight position most the time. Be sure to stretch completely before any physical activity, or just simply stretch when you get up in the morning. Drink enough water and fluids throughout the day to help relieve inflammation. If, however, you experience pain every time you move a certain way and hear one of these noises, do contact your doctor to be sure that there isn't something more serious going on with your joints/bones.

Stay well,

Dr. Mark

Thursday, October 3, 2013

ACL Knee Braces - How Can They Help Your Injury?


There are four major ligaments in your knee. They are the Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL, Medial collateral ligament (MCL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

Ligaments are flexible bands of tissue that connect bones together and give strength and stability to the joint.

When a ligament is damaged, you may experience pain and swelling. One of the ligaments in the knee that people injure most often is the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL.

The ligament known as the ACL, is located in the middle of the knee. It controls rotation and forward movement of the tibia (shin bone).

The most common way you can hurt your ACL is playing sports. You may stretch or tear it when you pivot or jump. An injury can also occur whilst doing everyday chores. Your knee may give out from underneath you with this injury. Also, you may hearing a popping noise. Some injuries require surgery while other types of injuries will heal on their own.

ACL knee braces are a good idea if you have injured your ACL. Your knee can also be held stable when you use these braces. The range of motion can also be limited with them. These braces allow you to adjust the brace's settings. You can control how far you can extend your leg. This is useful to have as your injury heals and the affected area is able to move more.

You can also control how much you can bend your leg. By controlling the motion of your knee you can help prevent further injury to your ACL. ACL knee braces keep the injured ligament in place while it heals. If you have just had surgery for a torn ACL, they may also be used for that. These braces help to protect your knee if you fall, and they let your knee rest.

If you have limited motion in your knee or need to lock it, this brace can help. ACL knee braces are designed to help keep your knee immobilized, improve your joint recovery, and improve surgery success.

ACL knee braces can also help lessen some of the pain you feel from your injury. These braces are easy to use and wear. Most ACL knee braces have easy hinge adjustments, and many do not require tools to make adjustments to the brace. When you have this type of injury, you may want to consider protecting your knee with an ACL knee brace.

Joint Pain Worrying You?


What has inflammation got to do with joint pain?

Normally, a healthy immune system triggers the inflammatory response in order to deal with the sporadic threats like injury or inflammation. But in the case of many women, these inflammatory responses are constantly at a low level. This chronic, but low-grade inflammation prevents the regeneration of cells and at the same time repair as well as gradually tear down tissues which also include the ones in your joints.

Causes of joint pain due to chronic inflammation

The causes of chronic inflammation can be attributed to a diet which is too high on the amount of refined carbohydrates and at the same time too low in essential fatty acids. A high carbohydrate diet can extend for a long time in terms of high levels of insulin which can disrupt cellular metabolism and spreads inflammation. Undiagnosed allergies in terms of foods or sensitivities can also contribute to inflammation when those are eaten. A lot of women with chronic inflammation can also suffer from digestive problems due to an inflamed digestive tract.

Another factor contributing to inflammation can be stress. Cortisol is a hormone which is released when a person is under stress. The most common which can be experienced by everyone is sustained stress and can cause an inflammation in no time.

Most of the women report their first joint pain when they are in a state of perimenopause or approaching menopause. During this transition hormone shift can occur especially fluctuating estrogen levels can have a heavy impact on how joints feel. Since, estrogen normally has an inflammatory effect in the body, falling estrogen levels can also increase the symptoms of chronic inflammation.

Joint pain remedies-

There are a lot of ways through which you can relieve your joint pain and you can start with the underlying causes. Dietary changes can help a lot such as reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates as well as sugar can make a dramatic difference to your pain in the joints. Healthy eating comprising of foods such as including more of fruits and vegetables which contain anti-inflammatories and at the same time adding a high quality multivitamin can refuel your nutritional deficiencies. Other treatment for joint pains can include;

• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
• Changes in lifestyle like stress relief as well as moderate exercises
• Physiotherapy

you can find all types of joint remedies at our site with the price you wanted to see.

How Partial Knee Replacement and Knee Rehabilitation Help


Knee arthritis is one of the ailments suffered by the aged. However, the very word 'knee replacement' often scares you so much that you are not sure if you at all want it. This problem can be handled by properly educating you and making you aware of the benefits of partial knee replacement.

Before elaborating the procedure of partial knee replacement, you must also know about the ailment knee arthritis, its types and causes. Only a clear knowledge of the problem can assist in the cure process. Knee arthritis is caused when cartilage between the joints wears away. This wear and tear principally occurs due to inflammation within the joints, resulting in the exposure of bones at smooth joint surfaces. Types of arthritis include lupus arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. The causes are many unlike the common notion of one. Genetic variation may be a cause. Age and overweight are common causes of this disease. Certain other causes include illness or infection, previous injury, working conditions and even certain sports.

Now comes in the process of partial knee replacement, it is also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, here the doctor first makes a cut of about 3 inches over the damaged knee and then replaces the damaged bone with a plastic and metal implant. Now the most obvious question that arises is are you ready for the process of partial knee replacement. The answer lies in the symptoms. Firstly, if your pain has increased to the point where you are unable to sleep at night, or even if you are asleep it awakens you. Secondly, if your knee pain limits your activities like walking for pleasure, shopping and traveling. Finally, though you have already tried other modes of treatment, your pain still persists.

The next question that might bother you is about the risks involved. Though majority of the partial knee replacement turn out to be successful, it is definitely not devoid of risks entirely. It has certain mandates. If you are opting for it you must be older than 55 years, must have intact ligaments, must be relatively sedentary and must not be obese. In case it fails, the possibility of converting it into a full surgery gets difficult. It is therefore advised to have a detailed conversation with your doctor and get all your doubts cleared before you opt for a partial knee replacement.

Partial knee replacement is followed by knee rehabilitation. This process begins soon after the surgery. Rehabilitation is done to help you to maintain motion in the replaced knee. This is done by a trained therapist. It is mandatory for you because this way your free mobility is ensured. There is a fair chance that the body might react to the surgery disabling you from normal gait for the rest of your life. Hence it is advised that the rehabilitation must be joined as soon as possible once the surgery is over.

Now that you have been given the elementary education on partial knee replacement and knee rehabilitation, you must have realized that the surgery is actually for the benefit, it relieves you of your painful joints. Though the replaced knee does not imply that it shall last for eternity, it definitely provides relief till the next time it is again required. The process is being modified continuously in order to reach perfection and results that last longer.

Do You Suffer from Osteoarthritis? Here's How to Tell!


The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This type of arthritis is commonly referred to as wear and tear arthritis or degenerative arthritis."

While this condition probably begins in the early teen years, it does not become symptomatic until a person reaches their 40's.

Osteoarthritis affects cartilage, the slippery elastic tissue that covers the ends of long bones. Cartilage functions to absorb shock from movement and also to provide a gliding surface for the joints. With OA, the cartilage begins to wear away and the underlying bones begin to rub against each other. This leads to pain. As OS progresses, it causes swelling and loss of motion. Bone spurs develop and the joint starts to deform. Microscopic particles of cartilage and bone flake off and cause irritation of the joint lining leading to more inflammation which leads to pain and more damage.

Symptoms of OA include pain or stiffness in a joint particularly after getting out of bed or after sitting for a prolonged period of time. Some people have "flares" of their symptoms with weather changes. Stiffness and pain in the joints with movement may occur as may "crunchiness".

Some people report no symptoms. One study done at the National Institutes of Health showed that one third of patients with osteoarthritis on x-ray had no symptoms.

While any joint may be affected, the most common areas of involvement are weight-bearing parts of the skeleton such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees. The great toe and the base of the thumb are also common locations. In older women the last row of finger joints and the next to last row of finger joints may be affected. Less common sites are the shoulders, elbows, ankles, and jaws.

Many factors including the way people use their joints. Occupational experiences also play a role. For instance, miners and dockworkers may develop knee OA while farmers have a higher incidence of OA of the hip. Ballet dancers can also develop OA in the feet, ankles, and hips. Athletes also fall into a high risk category with women soccer players being more likely to develop knee OA as a result of prior injury. Other athletic activities which cause joint trauma also can be a trigger for the development of OA.

Obesity is a major risk factor for OA of the hips and knees. The famous Framingham study showed that obese women had the most severe OA.

People with other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout are at increased risk for developing OA also.

Probably the most significant risk factor is genetic. Patients with a strong family history of OA are at high risk themselves for developing OA. This is most likely a result of defects in cartilage metabolism which hastens wear and tear.

Tender Knee Cap - A Serious Case of Chondromalacia Patella - Braces For Support


Chondromalacia Patella is a disease of the knee characterized by the softening of the cartilage of a tender knee cap. It is sometimes referred to as "anterior knee pain." This is a general term for a condition where the cartilage surface of the patella (knee cap) is softened. This medical condition may be caused by many factors including abnormal pressure across the joint surface or hormonal changes in the body.

1.) Signs and Symptoms of Chondromalacia Patella

The pain that is associated to Chondromalacia patella is usually located over the front of the knee cap. It can be described as a deep aching pain. The pain can also accompanied by swelling and is usually worse when the knee is bent for long periods of time. The pain gets even worse during activities such as squatting, kneeling or stair climbing, either up or down stairs.

Some patients have reported a grinding feeling in their kneecap stating that they can feel tender as well. This problem affects more females than males especially after a growth spurt where the knee must carry more weight.

Experts usually refer to the precursor of this medical condition as "excess lateral pressure syndrome." This is defined by the condition where the tender knee cap tends to sit too far out to the side of the knee. This problem is usually predisposed by the shape of the bone and genetics. This is where the knee cap is most tender when pushing on its outside, or lateral, surface.

2.) Treatment Options

A.) Can Surgery Be The Answer? - Most orthopedists agree that chondromalacia should be first treated conservatively. Surgery is not included in the primary options of treating the tender knee cap. However, each person may exhibit different conditions and the orthopedist may, in rare and severe cases, recommend surgery.

B.) Do Knee Braces Work? - The use of a knee support to help control the patella can be extremely useful. Many of these braces are light weight and offer support to a tender kneecap while sitting, standing, and walking. They are not really expensive and will allow you to move very easily.

3.) Controlling the Pain due to a Tender Knee Cap

A. ) Ice, or cold therapy, is an effective way to relieve the pain caused by the disease. However, do not apply ice directly to your skin for more than 5 minutes as it can cause burns. Use an appropriate device which can be used to cool your joint for longer periods.

B. ) Non-prescription pain medications can also be used to manage the pain. This type of drugs includes anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen and pain medications like acetaminophen. The supplement glucosamine sulfate can also have some beneficial effects when used by patients suffering from the disease. However, you have to use glucosamine sulfate continuously for at least two months before it can manifest its full effect. - See your physician for details on your specific requirements.

C. ) Knee Support: As mentioned earlier in this article, one of the best ways to provide stability during treatment is by bracing. Special knee braces can provide pain relief by stimulating some of the nerve fibers making your joint more stable and secure.

Aside from being used as a supportive device in the treatment of chondromalacia, knee brace may help to better position your patella in its groove so that it "tracks" more centrally. This can greatly helps at relieving the pain. Specially designed knee braces help your patella tracking and are exceptionally useful for people with excessive lateral pressure syndrome that causes intense pain on the outer and undersurface of the tender knee cap.

My Painful Knees After Running - Special Report on Braces & How a Light Weight Support Can Help You


The sport of running is supposed to be a relatively safe form of exercise, right? Then why is it that you have pain problems after you run!?

When you think about it, running is still a high impact activity where extreme pressure and strain are placed on the knee joints and the ligaments that help support the knee. The continuous and excessive pounding and stress on the knees can lead to common injuries such as ACL tears, MCL tears and meniscus tears.

While all runners will not necessarily develop these specific knee injuries, almost all runners will suffer from painful knees after running at some time in their career.

Are Painful Knees After Running A Sign Of Damaged Tissue?

If you have discomfort in your knees after running, this does not always mean that you will have a serious knee injury. Painful knees after a running can be a normal response known as "protective pain" coming from myofascial trigger points. This type of pain may feel as if it is radiating from the knee joint, but is actually the result of the contraction knots in the quadriceps muscles.

Common Injuries That Cause Painful Knees after Running

Running can put a lot of strain and pressure on the knee joint and the ligaments supporting the knee. You already know this to be true. As time goes on, this could develop into a number of more severe types of knee issues, including:

- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): Also known as "Runner's Knee", this collectively refers to common problems afflicting runners, which includes common injuries like chondromalacia patella, patellar tendonitis, or generalized knee pain.

- Dislocated Kneecap: This condition causes acute symptoms during dislocation but can also cause chronic knee pain.

- Plica Syndrome: This knee issue results in discomfort along the lining of your knee joint. Some individuals have more prominent lining of the knee joint, and can form the so-called "plica shelf". The tissue can be come irritated and inflamed after running, and can cause pain for runners.

How Knee Braces Prevent Painful Knees After Running

Despite the often repeated advice to ease up on the "road running", most runners refuse to give up. For those who insist on running the extra mile without letting painful knees get in the way, there is a simple way of preventing painful knees after running.

Knee braces for running are specially designed to help the knee joints so that the stress and strain from constant pounding while running are reduced to a minimum. The functionality of a knee brace helps to ensure that potential damage to the knee joint and ligaments is avoided. Moreover, individuals who run should choose the right knee support that pertains to their particular needs. There are many low profile knee supports that allow for plenty of mobility, while also remaining light weight.

When choosing the appropriate knee brace, runners should first determine the conditions for which the knee brace will be used. Prophylactic knee supports are considered if you want to help "prevent" future knee problems. Functional knee braces, on the other hand, are used to compensate for a torn ligament and prevent further aggravation of knee injuries. - Nevertheless, you should not be in the position where you are looking back, wishing that you would have done something to help protect your knee. Supporting your knees with a brace is never a bad idea if you have pain in your knee joint.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Joint Relief For Hands, Knees, and Elbows


You rely on joint function every day of your life. From elbow to knee your joints are one of the most important players in your body's mobility. Any type of pain or stiffness can affect your entire mood and mobility. Joint troubles from diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are considered chronic pains. These chronic diseases can cause stiffness, swelling, and pain in the hands, knees, and elbows. They can upset virtually any bone joint-even wrists, shoulders, feet, and ankles. Finding ultimate relief for these pains is the constant goal of nutritionists. Relief supplements can help reduce pain and swelling and increase range and mobility. They work to slow down the cartilage breakdown process and restore the cartilage and connective tissue that you still have.

Your hand has many different joints in it that work together to give your hand function. If you have RA (rheumatoid arthritis) you will notice the same pains in the same spots of either of your hands. For example, if one knuckle is having trouble on your left hand, you will feel the same on your right.

Your knees feel the entire weight of your body on a daily basis. They have a lot of pressure put on them and therefore go through a lot of wear and tear over the years. Buckling knees, painful knees, hot or swollen knees are all symptoms of unhealthy joints.

Poor elbow joints can keep you from being able to lift objects and carry them. You may feel discomfort when you are resting and at night time. You may not be able to fully extend your arm, it may feel heated or swollen around your joint, and you may not be able to flex your muscles.

Supplements can help improve the condition of your hands, knees, and elbows. One supplement should have the extracts in its formula to improve all of your joints. They can help produce or add the substances you need to support healthy cartilage and protective tissues. Products like chondroitin sulfate are backed by The Arthritis Foundation and can give serious relief to those suffering from an arthritis disease.

You can also find relief from exercising. Exercising can improve your flexibility and muscle mass. Exercise is especially important if it is your knees that are bothering you. Keeping your weight down can relieve a lot of pressure from your knees and cut down on wear and tear.

How Do Magnetic Knee Braces Work?


Magnetic knee braces are excellent braces to use if you have a sports injury, severe arthritis, or if you have just had knee surgery. You can use these types of braces if you have a sprain, torn cartilage, or other types of injury that can make your knees weak and painful.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. It is also known as wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint will cause this. The tissue that cushions bones and joints is called the cartilage.

People who experience this type of arthritis are usually overweight or over 50 years of age. Pain from symptoms can fluctuate. Patients report good and bad months and there is no particular pattern of pain.

There are many different types of brace that you can choose from to help you with your pain. When you have so many options, how do you know which brace is right for you? The extent of your injury will determine the type of brace you choose. This would also depend on the kind of brace you would like to use. One type of brace you may want to consider using is a magnetic knee brace.

How do magnetic knee braces work? They do several things. The braces capture and retain the natural heat that is produced by your body. Blood flow can also be increased. This is achieved when the brace helps to relax the capillary walls in the leg. Not only do magnetic knee braces help enhance blood circulation, but they also help to increase the flow of oxygen to the area of your knee that is injured.

Increased blood circulation can benefit your knee in several ways. With better circulation in your knee, swelling and stiffness can be reduced. Both warmth and increased blood circulation helps to loosen tightened muscles and promote relaxation. This can all aid the healing process.

Magnetic knee braces serve several purposes. They help to support the knee and keep it stable. The magnets are also kept aligned with affected area of the knee with the use of this brace. Magnetic braces can be worn practically anywhere and at any time. And work continuously to reduce the inflammation, swelling, and pain in your knee. Magnetic knee braces are often wraps made of elastic fabric. And are both easy to use and wear. When you injure your knee, these braces are a natural treatment option.

Amazing Wedding Dresses for Fuller Figured Brides


Every bride wants to look her very best on her wedding day. They search for months on end to find a dress that fits them just right. Sometimes it can seem like a never-ending process, but once you find the dress of your dreams, you will know it right away.

Today there is a stunning array of wedding dresses available that are designed specifically for a full figured bride. These gown options will flatter all of your best curves and create a strikingly slender silhouette. Women of all shapes and sizes can finally look fabulous on their wedding day.

Wedding gowns today come in a wide array of styles, from the classic and contemporary to modern and eccentric dresses that will knock your socks off. Here are a few examples of the different styles of wedding dresses that are available today.

Big and Bold

One way to make a striking impression on your wedding day is to wear a gown with a fitted top and a voluminous and flowing skirt. Try out a strapless option made out of luxurious silk taffeta material. This dress has a draped bodice and a large bow on the side.

From the waist down, this dress seems to flare out in all directions at once. It can even be tailored specifically to fit your unique measurements. This stylish gown is available in either ivory or white color options. Add a glimmering necklace or a short veil to make the most of the strapless effect.

Flattering Accessories

Another way to show off the best parts of your figure is by finding a dress that has cleverly placed embellishments. One style has gorgeous silk chiffon floral highlights that run diagonally across the bodice, creating a stunning visual affect.

The rest of this dress is strapless and made of extremely comfortable silk satin material. The "fit to flare" effect means that the fabric hugs the curve of your hips and then dashes outward at the knees to give it a unique look that is all its own.

Simple and Sweet

A great way to create a different look is by wearing a dress with a stylized "crumb-catcher" bodice. This means that the top of the gown is strapless, and yet it still sticks out from your chest to form a dashing and daring silhouette.

From the high empire waist of this silk satin gown flows a long and pleated skirt. A sash runs across the waist and is decorated with lovely handmade silk satin flowers. This gown comes in white or ivory and will do wonders to compliment your figure.

Short and Sassy

Are you planning on having a festive summertime wedding? There is nothing quite like a ceremony out in the sunshine followed by a fun night out under the stars. Of course, you are going to need a wedding dress that suits the weather.

This fantastic style has a fitted halter that will have you looking fabulous. It flows into a lavish skirt that hangs to right at the knees, keeping you cool and comfortable all throughout your day.

One of the nicest aspects of this party dress are the hidden pockets on either side. These are great for keeping a little makeup, in case you need to freshen up, or just to strike a dynamic pose during your wedding photos! This option comes in white or ivory and looks great with an extra high pair of heels.

Ornate and Original

Of course, not every bride wants to battle the summer heat. For a cool fall ceremony, however, you might want to consider a gown that comes with a matching shrug so you can keep your shoulders warm if the air turns brisk.

There is a gorgeous dress with an Alencon lace shrug that you can take off for the ceremony and then put back on during the reception if you get a little chilly. It matches perfectly with the strapless ball gown made of fine silk organza fabric.

All across the bodice of this dress, you can find elaborate beadwork and delicate hand-cut organza flower petals. The intricacies of this delightful wedding gown are virtually unparalleled.

Shopping for a wedding gown is not entirely unlike searching for a husband. Sometimes the right one comes along right off the bat. Other times, it takes a whole lot of searching, trying one after the other until finally you find one that suits you perfectly.

In both love and fashion, the important thing to remember is that the right one is out there for you somewhere. Take your time looking for wedding gowns and don't get frustrated. This can be a fun process if you allow yourself to enjoy the experience. There aren't many times in your life when you get to try on a wide array of fashionable gowns. Enjoy the process, and you'll be even happier when you find the perfect fit.

Try Feldenkrais For Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory disease that affects both tissues and organs, but mainly attacks joints. The disease produces inflammation in the lining of the joint (synovitis), and often leads to the destruction of cartilage and deformity in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also produce inflammation in the lungs, heart, kidneys, and eyes, and can produce nodules, most commonly in the tissues just under the skin. Although the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, an auto-immune system explanation has the most credibility. A genetic component may also exist. RA is a painful and disabling condition, which causes considerable loss of function and mobility. It is diagnosed by its signs and symptoms, and also with blood tests (rheumatoid factor) and X-rays.

Rheumatoid arthritis pain always shows signs of inflammation, with affected joints being swollen, warm, painful and stiff, particularly on awakening in the morning or following inactivity. With time RA almost always affects multiple joints, most commonly the small joints of the hands, feet, and spine, but larger joints like the hip and knee can also be affected.

Once inflammation occurs, the pain can become chronic, and treatment will likely be necessary. Various treatments are available. Early and effective rheumatoid arthritis treatment can improve the prognosis and may help prevent the joint and bone destruction associated with RA. If physical therapy, orthotics, and diet changes have failed you and you have maxed out your meds, the Feldenkrais Method can be used to treat all problems for which surgery isn't necessary. Feldenkrais uses simple, gentle movements to reorganize posture, flexibility, strength and coordination. Based on the neurological processes by which we learn movement skills, it is a novel approach to rheumatoid pain relief, using the power of the brain to help the body function more efficiently. More efficient use of self creates environments within which chronic pain can heal. Many sufferers are better in a matter of weeks. Let Feldenkrais help you to have fun with life again.

The Dangers of Sharp Knee Pain


Sharp knee pain is experienced not only while moving your leg but also while you take rest. This intense pain, if present for several weeks and is not caused by an injury, may be due to the chronic inflammation of the knee joint. A feeling of sharp knee pain is experienced while bending the leg while you are engaged in strenuous physical activities like lifting large and heavy objects.

Strong hamstrings protect the calf bone during knocks and falls. So it is important to maintain the strength of the hamstring muscles for protecting the knee joints and avoiding sharp knee pain. A serious type of ligament injury restricts mobility and can take a long time to heal. If there is a tear in your ligament which is used in the twisting and forward motion of the knee, you may feel a sharp knee pain with a ripping sensation or perhaps hear a pop in your knee. The knee joint will probably be painful to the touch and may quickly swell up with fluid.

In addition, your knee may give way and feel unstable while you try to stand up. This leads to a loss of confidence in the capability to walk and the patient avoid any attempts to regain mobility. In such cases, the joint and the attendant muscles get stiff and contribute to the sharp knee pain. Please remember that no one is asking the patient to undergo a strenuous exercise regimen, all that the patient needs to do is to walk a few steps every now and then to keep the joints from getting stiff.

A damaged tendon or ligament makes your knee more vulnerable to other injuries. Women experience ligament injuries more than men as they have larger pelvises and therefore have a large angle between the shin and thigh bones placing greater stress on the joints of the knee. This leads to a sharp knee pain, especially in menopausal women. Dietary supplements to increase the bone strength and maintain the suppleness of the muscles are recommended for women who have an issue with painful knee joints.

The first step in treating the pain in the knee is to identify the underlying cause of the sharp knee pain. Once this diagnosis is complete, the medical practitioner can rely on the appropriate treatment modules including laser treatments to repair the affected tissues to ensure that you do not suffer from the problem again in your life.

Meniscus Tear - Surgery Vs Conventional Treatment


Both of my knee joints have had meniscus tears. My left knee joint was operated and meniscus tear was treated by menisectomy which means in my case that big part of my lateral (external) meniscus was removed. Year later when I had meniscus tear on my right knee my doctor also made me appointment in order to perform menisectomy within a week. During this week I noticed that my knee is already much better and I canceled my surgery appointment one day before I had to go for a surgery. During next few weeks my swelling was gone and I could walk on my knee. I tried to avoid putting direct pressure on my injured knee and during my rehabilitation period I was mostly swimming, riding bicycle and building leg muscles with weight machines. I'm sure there is some degree of degeneration of meniscus due to the injury but I did not have to go through surgery.

Injury of my right knee happened 6 years ago and I can tell you that my non-operated knee is in much better condition than my operated knee. Recovery time after surgery was quite long I had to use crutches during many months after surgery. Although I had arthroscopic surgery which is great progress when compared to the fact that few decades ago they used to cut your knee wide open by knife. Look at the scars those patients have on their knees due to having open knee surgery in 80s and 70s. Also in those days they used to proceed always with full menisectomy which increased the risk to have permanent damage in articular cartilage in case the patient continued to play soccer or any other sport that include running. Damaging articular cartilage of joint will develop osteoarthritis. Also it's very clear that every surgery contains risks although this kind of surgery is very common there could still occur complications like inflammation etc.

I'm not orthopedist nor have official education of this subject just think that we all can use our common sense. Seems however that many orthopedists are recommending surgery without considering alternative options. It's very clear that you do have to have surgery performed if your knee is locked after suffering meniscus tear but if you are just having swelling and/or pain sometimes you can avoid surgical treatment. At least you can always ask second opinion after all it's your knee and also your money because knee surgery is quite expensive as we all know. I have noticed also that the knee once operated will need very likely more operations I have no official statistics about this subject but has happened with many friends of mine. Yes, I know also many people who have had menisectomy and say that their knee is now better than ever. Also I'm aware that in many cases orthopedist will try to repair meniscus without removing any parts of the meniscus. I have to admit that implications of having surgery vary a lot and obviously there are many variables including anatomical features of each individual affecting the final result.

Some patients are happy with the results of surgery and others are not but I doubt anyone will regret not having meniscus surgery. Anyway it would be worth to try conventional methods because there are chances you could avoid surgery and avoiding surgery is good for your knee and also for your wallet. My point is you can always have surgery later on if it seems that your knee is not getting better.

Who knows maybe I could have avoided also surgery on my right knee. After having problems with my knee joints I have studied anatomy of knee joint and reviewed many different points of views. It would be needless to say that meniscus is very important part of your knee joint and without meniscus protecting your knee joint there is much greater chance to develop progressive knee injury like knee osteoarthritis. You cannot completely avoid having knee injury while doing physical exercises but there are many things you can do in order to reduce your risk to fall victim of many different types of knee injuries. Strengthening your leg muscles is very important to prevent knee injury and also rehabilitation after having injury is much faster with strong muscles surrounding the knee joint.

Osteoarthritis - What Are The Causes And Can You Prevent Osteoarthritis?


Osteoarthritis is generally equated with a disease of wear and tear and old age. Although it does usually accompany old age, researchers have found that the cartilage in a joint with osteoarthritis is chemically different than a joint without the disease.

Researchers have also found that there are a series of events that lead to the development of Osteoarthritis and that it isn't associated with age alone. These events involve the production, maintenance and breakdown of the cartilage in the joints. These joints are often of the larger weight bearing joints of the body such as the knees and hips, which provide the majority of the cushion when we are doing any weight bearing exercise such as walking, running etc.

Athletes who also perform repetitive motion exercise that is weight bearing on a joint, such as rowing, will find that Osteoarthritis also will develop in the elbow and shoulder areas.

Researchers believe that there is a genetic component to the development of the disease but they have not yet conclusively found that link. They have found that there is a higher correlation in the development of this arthritis between parent and child or siblings than between husband and wife.

In a study completed in 2000 a gene was identified which was thought to regulate the production of a chemical, pyrophosphate, which inhibits the formation of mineral deposits in the joints. They theorize that this chemical may protect the cartilage in the joints. About 60% of patients with Osteoarthritis were found to have mineral deposits in their joints.

People with this disease also have muscle weakness, especially in the quadriceps muscles. These are the four large muscles in the front of the thigh that enable the body to extend the knee. Researchers understand that the arthritis creates a painful situation and patients may not exercise, therefore decreasing their muscle strength. However, they also theorize that the weakness, especially in the quadriceps, pre-dates the development and actually causes the degeneration of the joint. The stronger the muscle mass the better able the body is to protect the joints.

Anatomical reasons also are considered to be involved in the development of this arthritis. Research has found that people who are 'bow-legged' or 'knock-kneed' are more likely to develop progressive osteoarthritis in the knees. Other research has found that some people are born with joints that don't meet smoothly and cartilage that isn't formed correctly.

Injuries also play a large part in the joint changes that lead to Osteoarthritis. People with knee injuries early in life were 16% more likely to develop arthritis in the affected knee than those without an injury. Other medical conditions have also been found to play a part in the cause of Osteoarthritis. Hemophiliacs have the potential to bleed into the joints causing damage to the cartilage. People with chronic gout and pseudogout have mineral deposits in the joints from the crystals that cause the gout. People with rheumatoid arthritis already have joint damaging inflammation that injures to the cartilage.

Although the causes of Osteoarthritis have not been completely defined people can use the knowledge that researchers now have to potentially delay the onset or stop the development of this painful disease.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The Pros and Cons of Arthritis Injections


In the treatment of musculoskeletal problems, cortisone injections may be extremely effective. Also called corticosteroid injections, they provide a focused anti-inflammatory effect aimed at providing pain relief for patients that is coming from a joint problem, such as osteoarthritis, or a soft tissue problem, such as lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

The medication in a steroid shot contains some of the same hormones that the human adrenal glands produce. These hormones, corticosteroids, perform vital functions in the body, such as being released and providing anti-inflammation when stress is experienced.

These injections into either joints or soft tissues provide pain relief, but it is not permanent. The effects wear off after a few weeks to months, and it may actually take a few days for the pain relief to kick in. Typically some numbing medicine is included with the steroid to give immediate relief.

Patients frequently ask if the cortisone will help with cartilage restoration. Steroid injections are not disease altering treatments, they are simply symptom altering and meant to decrease pain.

So what are the benefits of a steroid injection?

1. Pain relief - This is the main benefit, as the injection of steroid doesn't alter the course of arthritis. But it does make life more tolerable by decreasing pain for what may be quite a few months.

2. Low Risk - Compared with surgery for a musculoskeletal condition, an injection maintains a much lower risk profile.

3. Low Cost - Also compared with surgery, an injection cost exponentially less.

4. Focused Injection - The steroid is injected into either a joint which is a confined space or into a soft tissue area where the medication stays predominantly local.

5. Outpatient - The injections are done either in the doctor's office or as an outpatient procedure. No overnight stays necessary.

6. Can delay the need for surgery - If a patient is in his 50's and has terrible osteoarthritis, doing a knee replacement may only last for 15 years. This may lead to the need for a revision surgery which typically has a less satisfactory result. So the injections may provide an impressively tolerable delay for years.

7. Can be placed in multiple joints - If a patient has pain and arthritis in multiple joints, such as the knees, shoulders, and spine, steroid injections may be placed in a few joints (with appropriate care not too many at once)

What are the risks of a steroid injection?

1. Temporary blood sugar elevation - this is most common in diabetics and may raise blood sugars temporarily for 24-48 hours. It would be unusual for this to be an actual clinical problem, but people should be aware of the potential temporary issue, especially diabetics.

2. Cartilage damage - It's unclear in humans if this is clinically relevant. In animal studies there has been shown cartilage alterations with repetitive injections. The key here is moderation with the amount of injections administered to each joint.

3. Adrenal gland suppression - this type of complication may occur with oral steroid medication on a repetitive basis, it would be extremely unusual for a focal steroid injection to end up with this complication.

4. Infection - with appropriate sterile technique obtaining an infection after a steroid injection is rare, much less than 1%. Prophylactic antibiotics are not necessary.

For most individuals, cortisone injections represent an excellent pain relief option for musculoskeletal conditions. The key is moderation.

Interview - Kyle MacLachlan


[This interview took place in 1986.]

David Lynch's Blue Velvet opened to widespread critical praise and heated public controversy. I've yet to hear a lukewarm reaction. Either you hate the film or you love it. Lynch leaves his audience no alternative. Blue Velvet polarizes audiences as few films - Last Tango in Paris, A Clockwork Orange - can.

Kyle MacLachlan, star of Blue Velvet (as well as Lynch's earlier film, Dune) offers his view on the cinematic phenomenon.

Question: Before you starred in Dune, you had pretty much grown up with the character of Paul Atreides. I mean, you'd read Dune over and over again as a teenager, so you knew what you were getting into. When you did Blue Velvet, how did you prepare for the role of Jeffrey?

Answer: Obviously, I didn't have the advantage of the book here, which I used as a lot of resource material for Dune. But I had a knowledge of the script because David (Lynch) spoke with me during the filming of Dune about it and gave me a draft of the script. So I had a year and a half with it. But I didn't really get down to working on it until about a month or two before we began shooting.

Q: Do you enjoy working with Lynch?

A: I do very much. David is a wonderful human being, a nice person, along with being a brilliant director with quite an interesting vision. Different than anything I've seen before. On the set he prepares a real nice environment for his actors to work in. He's very calm and supportive.

Q: I spoke with Lynch last week, and he told me he thought you were a bit too normal for his next film.

A: Ronnie Rocket? Yeah, we joke about that. He's going even farther out there.

Q: Have you read the script for that?

A: No, I haven't. I've read parts of it. It doesn't seem to be very linear. It wasn't a story I could follow easily. It jumped all over the place. It had some real strange places, which made it interesting. But he's done massive rewrites on it from the one I read, so it's probably changed quite a bit.

Q: Is Lynch restrictive with his actors?

A: Sometimes he can be very restrictive, and sometimes he can be very open. I pretty much tailored myself to what David wanted; I let him be the boss. I just felt that David's vision of what he wanted to make is so specific, that for me to start screwing around with that would just hurt what he wanted to say.

Q: Did the two of you ever butt heads?

A: We've always been able to resolve any major differences. But yeah, there were a couple of things in Blue Velvet - for instance, the final scene. I was arguing for a moment that was a little bit more emotional. I mean, Jeffrey's just killed a guy. There's got to be something that goes with that - whether it's weak knees or whatever. What sort of physical thing happens to him? But David was very strong in wanting that image of Laura Dern and I kissing there in the hall way so he could pan up. I wanted one thing, and he wanted another. I went with his vision, that's the way it is. I fought for it, but...

Q: Lynch made the comment that sometimes when his actors made suggestions like that, he wanted to set them on fire.

A: (Laughter)

Q: How was it working with the other actors?

A: It was a real joy. When you're working with an actor that's wonderful, you don't have to worry about trying to create things that he's not doing for you, or trying to make up for his deficiencies.

Q: How was it relating to them on the set?

A: It's like when you talk with someone and you know they're preoccupied. On one level, they're talking with you and everything's cool, but you feel that they're occupied with something else. That's sort of the way it is on the set. As you get closer to the actual take, you just sort of leave the other person alone. You just sort of hang out.

Q: How much did Dennis Hopper stay in character when we wasn't filming? Was he scary walking around the set, or did he just fall into that when the camera rolled?

A: Dennis is just terrific. I was really scared coming in. I'd heard these stories...

Q: Well he's scary on the screen.

A: In the scene it's wonderful. He gets this look in his eyes, and it's like WHOA...!

Q: It's just a film, Dennis, it's just a film...

A: But he's a consummate actor. You feel threatened as a character, but you know that the guy's not going to be out of control. That's just one of the fine lines. He's not going to do bodily damage to people. As a matter of fact, in the fight sequence - incredible control. You know, when he's punching me beating the hell out of me. Really terrific. He's just a real professional.

Q: You enjoyed getting punched...

A: From Dennis Hopper, yeah, it's okay.

Q: He sort of turns it on, then. Can you just turn it on, or do you have to stay in character?

A: It's like a gas stove and a pot of water, you know. It's on and it's hot, and you can see the bubbles around it. It's always on all day - but you can still be a nice person. And then, when you need it - five or ten minutes before a scene - you sit down in your chair and you start to let that stuff cook. You bring it up, and let it boil for awhile as you do the scene; and then you bring it back down, and let it sit there awhile.

Q: You said Lynch had a very specific idea of what he wanted to do. Were you able to pick up on that easily?

A: David doesn't always communicate with language that I can understand. But he's very specific about what he wants when he sees it, and he can identify that. Some directors will do 30 or 40 takes because they don't know what they want. We did between two and five - sometimes one.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of the movie for you?

A: One thing was the nudity. I had never done it before, onstage or in Dune, so that was something I had to sort of sit, think about, and get comfortable with. Again, that's where David was real great, because he creates a wonderful atmosphere on the set. Isabella and I worked together and it got to a place where it was okay. You take it step-by-step in rehearsal until you're comfortable with the person and with what's going on. Then they bring in a small crew - four or five people to shoot the scene. At which point I, as an actor, am unaware of what they're doing.

Q: Did you get a lot of rehearsal time?

A: Yeah, as much time as we felt we needed. That was also a wonderful thing about Fred Caruso, who produced the picture. Producers work with time and money. But he tried to be as sympathetic as he could and give David the amount of time that he needed.

Q: What was your relationship with the production side of the film? With Caruso and (studio head) Dino DeLaurentiis and the others?

A: It all comes down to a system of buffers, you know. From Dino to Fred, from Fred to David, from David to us. The better they are at buffering and protecting the actors, the better I'm going to feel working on the picture.

Q: How did you get the role?

A: It all started with Dune. While we were shooting Dune, David had a copy of the script and he let me read it. He thought I'd be great as Jeffrey. So we sort of made a little pact that we'd work on it. Then Dune opened, and we both went into sort of a tailspin.

Q: What were your opinions of Dune?

A: I had so many feelings: part of me loved the film, and part of me hated the film. I guess because you live through all of it. It's exciting to watch it happen. These are my friends on the screen. I was watching the scenes and I knew what was going on around the scenes.

Q: You really can't divorce yourself from it.

A: It's very difficult, yeah. I also thought the film was very talky, and had too much explaining, and all those things. I sort of looked at is as a "Best Of." You take the novel, and you've got a certain number of scenes. You've gotta know the novel, I think, to get much from the scenes in the picture. The gaps are pretty wide.

Q: You shot a lot more than what ended up on the screen. Lynch said something about re-editing a longer version. Do you know anything about that?

A: Yeah, he said to me that for television - NBC, CBS, whoever's gonna take it...

Q: Do a miniseries?

A: It'll probably be a two-nighter. He wants to put about a half hour in, which would make it about a four hour picture. So we'll get more stuff on the Fremen - which will help, because they disappeared from the picture. Hopefully there'll be a little more filler, you know. So the scenes will be a little bigger, and maybe they'll be closer together so people will be able to follow the story line.

Q: So people who haven't read the novel will know what's going on?

A: Maybe. Or at least get a better idea of this world that David sort of worked in conjunction with Frank Herbert to create.

Q: Herbert really liked the movie, right?

A: Yeah, Frank was a real positive guy. [Note: Frank Herbert, the author of the novel, died before the movie opened.] It was probably similar for him to watch the movie as it was for me to watch the movie. He was down there a lot. I think he really enjoyed the whole process, and he enjoyed seeing his picture put up on film. The film wasn't terrible. It wasn't an embarrassment to watch. I mean the acting was...what it was. It was very stylized. It wasn't like you look at it and go, "Oh God, that's really bad." It just didn't click somehow. It's easy to sort of rationalize that when you're involved with it. You sort of look over that and say, "I love it."

Q: Hard to be objective.

A: It is. Very difficult.

Q: Okay, let's move on. First you played a messiah in Dune. And in Blue Velvet you're just a college kid in a small town. You've gone from one extreme to another. What do you want to do next?

A: Sometimes people ask me, "What's role do you want to do next?" On film it's so difficult because every script that comes to you has got a completely different set of circumstances. On stage, I can say, "Yeah, someday I'd like to do Cyrano," you know. Or Mercutio. There are roles that are set there that I'd really love to do. But on film it comes down to something that's a wonderful story about people. With some good writing, relationships that are multi-layered, and characters that are interesting and develop from A to Z. And that can be set anywhere. It comes down to that type of thing as opposed to a certain character that I want to step into.

Q: Is there something specific that you're developing now?

A: Nothing specific, no. I'm just reading things and trying to find something that I would really like to do. I find those, and then I go and start the battle, you know. Meet and read and fight with all the other actors that want to do it. I've come close, but so far I haven't gotten anything solid yet. I'm hoping Blue Velvet helps. It always helps when people can see that you can do something else besides fight robots and talk in deep voices. They need a little more than just Dune.

Q: Did you have to fight for Blue Velvet or was it pretty much set for you?

A: In David's mind it was set for me. I turned it down. I said, "I can't do it" at one point, because I felt it was just...too intense, somehow. So I went away for about a month, two months. During that period of time, I think, they went out and looked for other actors. And then finally I said, "Well, no, I think I really want to do it." Then they stopped the search and I stepped in. I think in David's mind he knew I was going to do it all along. It was just a matter of me coming around.

Q: You've said Lynch has a very specific vision of what he wants. During the course of production, are you more or less aware of what the final product will be?

A: Yes and no. I was there almost every day. I shot 60-plus days, which is a lot. I was there, in Dorothy's apartment, and I saw what it looked like. The first day when we all walked in we went, "Ooooo...this is wonderful." So you get a feel somehow. You also feel the style because of the dialog. David's dialog is very stylized, I think. It's very difficult to say and make real. It's one of the challenges. But I really didn't pick up on the humor of it until I saw it with an audience at Telluride. And suddenly, I heard lines like, "We don't know much but bits and pieces." People laugh, and I thought, God, that's funny. You never realize at the time the humor of the stuff. It's like a big puzzle. You take a piece - the scene you're working on today - and you look at it, and you've got no idea of what the whole is going to be. Shooting a movie is like taking a piece and putting four or five together at one time and then leaving it.

Q: You don't film it chronologically.

A: No. Usually within a scene you try and shoot it at one point. So I really didn't have a strong idea of what David was going finish. I think he does while he's doing it. When he sees what he wants, it's cut, print, onto the next one.

Q: How would you describe Blue Velvet to someone who hasn't seen it before?

A: That would be difficult. I'm not even sure what it is, you know. From my point of view, as the character, I look at it as a journey - as a young man who comes home and...goes through some experiences. That's just about it, you know. It's such a mind-boggling film for me. I've read some reviews that have come out already - John Powers in the L.A. Weekly and David Thompson in California magazine - and they've got a couple of pages, devoted to this thing. I sort of read it and go, "Yeah...that sounds pretty good." They take a stab and write all this stuff and I'm just boggled by the things they pull out of this picture. So I yield to them.

Q: When you saw Blue Velvet at the film festival, what was the audience reaction like?

A: They went crazy. I was amazed. I mean, when we made this picture, we had no idea how it was going to be responded to. I thought it was weird. I thought, who knows, either it's going to be universally panned or it's going to be looked at as this new, brilliant picture. Which is kind of fun, in a way. It's like with Dune: you do your work, you come out, and the critics - they knock it aside. So you come back and you another one, and the critics - they love it. It's a funny game...

The True Measure of Toughness Occurs When You Are Coming Back From an Injury


As sure as you are reading this article, I can guarantee you one thing: Either you have been injured or you know someone who has. When it comes to the sport of grappling and MMA, being tough is not an option - it is a prerequisite! You are not going to step on the mat, in the ring or in the Octagon if your heart pumps red pudding instead of blood.

Sometimes, however, this toughness overrides good sense and causes us to go further than we should when we are hurt and injured. And conversely, this toughness is what allows us to do things that take us out of the realm of average and into that of extraordinary.

After the 2005 U.S. Judo Open, there was a training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and there were players from many countries there. With all the high-intensity banging going on, someone getting injured was not a chance - it was a guarantee. We all knew it, but just like any other practice, we went and hoped that our "number" wasn't the one that would get pulled on that particular day.

Well, on the last day of the camp, we heard it. That sound that comes from a place inside of a person's body that doesn't have a name. it's the type of yell that stops practice and makes people peel their gi (uniform) off and walk off the mat. It was followed by a clutch of the knee and subsequent yell from a bystander of, "Trainer!!!! We need a Trainer!!"

After everybody cleared out, this young lady was still on the mat. I helped her to a chair and then carried her to her room with the help if another. be because I've been hurt numerous times, I felt that it was incumbent upon me to give her the "it's going to be alright" speech, but I didn't. I told her the truth.

The Pain of Regret

I told her that coming back from an injury is one of the most challenging things that she can do as an athlete. It will test her resolve, her mettle and provide her with a measuring rod of who she is and of what she is made. I told her that surgery will hurt and that she will feel some of the most excruciating pain in her life, bit it will ale in comparison to the pain of regret if she doesn't give 110 percent in the rehabilitation process.

I told her that the injury provided her an opportunity to strengthen some of her weak areas and that her strongest asset is not her muscles but her mind. I looked her in the eyes and told her what it was like to tear my lateral collateral ligament nine months before the Olympic Trials and then come back from the injury in 5-½ months and compete in a tournament, only to tear my quadriceps completely off the bone. I returned to practice because I couldn't afford to take anymore days off and then I fought in the Olympic Trials and pulled my groin muscle because I was overcompensating for a nonexistent quadriceps muscle.

I also told her how exhilarating it was to win the Olympic Trials and overcome the adversity, only to be greeted by a shoulder that kept constantly clicking because I had torn my labrum. I had to prepare for the Olympic Games with a torn labrum and take cortisone. I explained that I pulled my groin again at the Olympics and came home only to see the same doctor exactly one year later for shoulder surgery.

I told her that it was difficult and hard, but it was all worth it. The price that you have to pay is worth the reward. So I told her to reach down deep in her mental pocket and get ready to pay. I later received an email from her:

"Hey Rhadi,

Thank you for helping me with my knee and carrying me this last week in Florida. I really do appreciate that someone cared enough to be there. I went to the doctor on Friday, and he said that I tore the meniscus, ACL and PCL. I am going to get surgery, but I have to wait until the swelling goes away. Again, thanks for your help."

I wrote back: "You have a wonderful opportunity to do something great! A setback is only a setup for a comeback!"

In the Nuthouse

People tell me all the time, "I'd live to have had your experiences and go to the Olympics." I really want to tell them that my experiences would have put an ordinary person in the nuthouse! They want the Olympic apparel without the limp, the National medals without the crooked fingers and the International medals without the wrecked shoulders. They want the top of the medal stand without the 5:30 a.m. practices. In terms of "my experiences," those things go hand in hand. Just like injuries and nicks and bruises go along with our sport.

While you should try to reduce injuries through proper training, you also have to realize that some injuries are just unavoidable. So, the key is not trying to avoid an injury. The key is knowing how to handle them.

Right after my knee surgery I told myself, "This is a great opportunity!" and it was. After the Olympics I didn't leave with a gold medal, but I do have something that is more important. I have a gold mettle.

Arthritis Treatment: What Are New Developments in the Use of Stem Cells to Treat Osteoarthritis?


Burgeoning interest in the use of regenerative techniques to treat osteoarthritis has caused an explosion in both the clinical application of this treatment as well as the development of new laboratory discoveries.

There are two major types of cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is the tougher of the two and covers the ends of long bones inside joints. The makeup of hyaline cartilage is basically that of chondrocyte (cartilage) cells which sit inside an extracellular matrix. Hyaline cartilage provides shock absorbing properties and also resists the tremendous shear forces that are generated with the activities of daily living. A small amount of synovial fluid secreted by the lining cells of the joint provide lubrication and nourishment to the joint.

The second type of cartilage is fibrocartilage. Examples would be the menisci in the knees and the labrum in the shoulder and hip. This type of cartilage is softer and has less shock absorbing capacity than hyaline cartilage.

The ubiquitous condition what affects most Baby Boomers is osteoarthritis, which is a disease of hyaline cartilage. Essentially, alterations of cartilage metabolism causes premature wearing away of hyaline cartilage. This is accompanied by local inflammation as well as changes in the underlying bone.

Hyaline cartilage injury often results in the formation of fibrocartilage, the weaker of the two types of cartilage. And because cartilage lacks a blood supply, another consequence of cartilage injury is the development of osteoarthritis.

What has intrigued scientists, then, is the possibility that stem cells may be used to regenerate hyaline cartilage.

While direct application of stem cell technology is still controversial, the promise it holds is undoubtedly exciting to researchers.

For example, at Osaka University School of Medicine, scientists have been able to take cells from the skin of mice and by treating these cells with special proteins, transformed these skin cells into chondrocytes- cartilage cells.

Another exciting discovery made by researchers at the University of Oregon Health & Science University is that male mice from a strain called MRL/MpJ have the innate ability to repair their own knee cartilage. Why these mice can do this is still a puzzle but if the secret can be unlocked perhaps this can be applied to humans also.

While human studies are still lagging behind, small studies are showing promising results. Readers who are interested in learning more can read a paper from our center: Wei N, Beard S, Delauter S, Bitner C, Gillis R, Rau L, Miller C, Clark T. Guided Mesenchymal Stem Cell Layering Technique for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Applied Res. 2011; 11: 44-48