Osteoarthritis

I just finished reading a study on the correlation between the use of beta blockers and the need for a total knee replacement in patients with osteoarthritis. I will share the results and their underlying hypothesis, but I want to discuss their map illustrating the “cause” of what they found.
Among the unpleasant effects of COVID is a whopping portion of aches and pains. Whether there is anything you can take to feel better -- for example, Advil -- is not clear. But two, large retrospective studies seem to give the thumbs-up to NSAIDs.
For an operation -- specifically, total knee replacement -- how do we identify when the "Goldilocks moment" arrives? That is, not too early, when there's little benefit to the patient bearing unnecessary risk. Or not too late, when the delay has further limited physical activity, increasing long-term disability and recovery. A new study searches for some answers about how to find the "just right" time. 
Twelve patients who tried stem cell injections were hospitalized with infections, according to a published report, one that should cause patients concern. More important is that they should investigate stem cell treatments, for conditions such as cartilage injuries to their joints, before committing to one of these procedures.
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna have elucidated the role of galectin-1, a protein that has been found to be over-expressed in the joint cartilage of individuals with osteoarthritis, and which seems to stimulate the destructive inflammatory process.
It's easy to be led astray by trusting to logic when evaluating health advice. But sometimes logic is borne out by science, as in the case of a recent study of prevention of knee arthritis by weight loss in overweight and obese women.
A relatively small study--50 patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery vs. 50 controls getting PT alone--showed a significant benefit for the surgery. But complications occurred with surgery. Some of the nonsurgical patients elected surgery later. While not definitive, surgery works well for most with knee OA.
Herb popular in China for knee arthritis failed to surpass placebo effect in randomized trial. Many OA patients will remain unconvinced, however, and stick with the soothing belief in its efficacy, as have generations gone by, science notwithstanding.
Americans have an obsession with sports. We flock by the thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands, to see our favorite team play on their home turf. We cram into living rooms and bars to watch the games when we can t be there in person. We discuss them obsessively with our fellow fans and listen to the talking heads dissect them ad nauseum
Running at any time of life is not only not harmful for your knees, but may actually be protective. Good news for joggers who may have been fearful of provoking arthritis.
Chronic knee pain is very common in adults over the age of 50, most commonly as a result of osteoarthritis. Sufferers often turn to alternative therapies such as acupuncture used by about three million Americans each year - to relieve pain despite the mixed results of studies looking into its effectiveness. A new study published in JAMA
Catch the latest health news: The diet wars continue- low-carb v. low-fat, is either superior? A novel heart failure drug gets the thumbs up, plus why surgery for meniscal tear due to osteoarthritis may not be your first option