This year, Dr. Sam Shapiro underwent total hip arthroplasty. Her journey from being an athlete to suffering from arthritis and chronic joint pain was difficult. Here is her story, complete with post-op insights.
Hip and knee replacements—despite advancement in treatments for rheumatic diseases, some patients will still need to undergo these surgeries. Here are insights into the considerations, costs and complications of total joint arthroplasty.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients undergoing total joint replacement are younger now than they were in 2000, new research indicates. The average patient undergoing a total hip replacement (THR) in 2014 was 64.9 years, while the average patient in 2000 was 66.3 years. Similarly, the average patient undergoing a total knee replacement (TKR) was 65.9 in…
(Reuters Health)—People who undergo joint surgery, such as joint replacements for arthritis, are more likely to become dependent in the years following surgery if they are obese, researchers say. Further research is needed to know why this happens and how to prevent it, the study team writes in British Journal of Anaesthesia.1 “I think there’s…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Elevated lipid levels are associated with an increased revision-surgery rate after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, while statin use appears to mitigate that increase, according to a database review. “[Although] it supported our hypothesis, we found it interesting to finally demonstrate a link between hyperlipidemia and rotator cuff-repair failure resulting in revision surgery…
Collaboration among all providers—surgeon, rheumatologist, physical therapist, etc.—is essential for patients with a rheumatic disease who are about to undergo total joint arthroplasty to reach their goals, including reduced pain and improved mobility…
Sports fans find enormous pleasure in arguing about topics such as the greatest player in baseball, the best heavyweight boxer, or the worst draft pick in the NFL. Most of these arguments cannot be resolved and ultimately do not matter. Nevertheless, the diehards joust with vehemence and passion, especially if fueled by some alcoholic brew….