Posted on 04/29/2022 7:24:17 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear disorder marked by bone thickening and cartilage degeneration, an excruciatingly painful disability and a major cause of impaired mobility as people age. But scientists have begun viewing this form of arthritis differently with a deeper understanding of the disorder's causes and an eye toward personalized medicine as a treatment option.
Although for decades medical experts have focused on problems such as the pain caused by bone thickening and the disappearance of cartilage, scientists say bone malalignment may play a critical role in osteoarthritis. In a novel clinical study, medical scientists demonstrate how the alignment problem can contribute to osteoarthritis—and they also suggest that correcting it can protect cartilage and reverse its degeneration.
"Although osteoarthritis, a leading cause of disability, has been associated with joint malalignment, scientific translational evidence for this link is lacking," wrote Dr. Tamás Oláh.
But Oláh and a team of researchers launched a two-pronged approach to the problem demonstrating in both animal research and in a human case study that relieving a troublesome misalignment of the joint can help alleviate pain and restore the shock-absorbing role of cartilage in the knee. They report that malalignment of a joint can cause excessive pressure to be placed on it in a manner similar to a condition known as varus malalignment, more commonly known as bow-leggedness. People with severe forms of that condition can suffer cartilage loss and impaired mobility.
By correcting the misaligned joint—unloading pressure on it—the team discovered they could restore function and reduce pain. "We provide evidence of osteochondral recovery upon unloading symptomatic isolated medial tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis associated with varus malalignment," Olah noted.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Good luck. Physical therapy after knee replacement is essential to retain mobility. Been there done that.
Based on your remarks, I just ordered a pair of Birkenstocks. Like you, I never thought I would, but comfortable footwear means so much more to me now than when I was younger.
“Hoka walking shoes.”
Big honking soles on those guys, lol! But a LOT better than the Converse All Star low-cuts I used to run in with the thin, rock-hard rubber soles. I’ve definitely learned the value of thick, quality soles! I’ll consider these when my Brookes wear out. Thanks.
I also did the shots for a few years and the relief time got shorter and shorter. I finally gave in and decided that the only way to start living a normal life was knee replacement. Mine is scheduled for June 6th but I’ll wait and see how the healing goes before scheduling the second knee. The Dr. was not in favor of doing both knees at the same time.
I look forward to walking up steps like a normal person.
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