New research shows tanezumab may be safe and effective for patients with osteoarthritis pain…
Larger Weight Loss Tied to Greater Improvements in Arthritic Knees
(Reuters Health)—Obese people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) may find greater symptom relief when they lose larger amounts of weight, a recent study suggests. Researchers examined data on 240 obese adults with pain from knee OA who were participating in an 18-month experiment to see how diet alone or diet plus exercise affected their health. Participants…
Researchers Compare Nonsurgical Knee OA Treatments
According to new research, knee OA patients reported greater pain relief from intra-articular corticosteroids, but naproxen was more effective at improving function…
Healthcare Providers Should Encourage Exercise for OA Patients
A systemic review supports the ideas that exercise benefits the physical and mental health of patients experiencing pain related to hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). Overall, research indicates that patients who exercised had slightly lower rates of pain and greater physical function, as well as slightly improved self-efficacy and social function…
Drug Safety: Fasinumab Evaluated in Clinical Trials, Plus Celecoxib May Not Pose Increased Heart Attack or Stroke Risk
After an independent review, ongoing clinical trials investigating the safety of fasinumab for treating hip or knee OA will discontinue the use of higher fasinumab doses…
Rheumatology Coding Corner Answer: Follow-Up Knee Injection
Take the challenge. CPT codes: 20611-LT, 20611-RT, J7326x2 or 20611, 20611-50, J7326x2 ICD-10: M17.0 Coding Rationale CPT Codes: 20610-LT, J7325x16 ICD-10 Code: M17.12 This claim is rejected by the insurance carrier because the injection was outside of the preauthorization window that ended on Oct. 31. Most insurance carriers enforce their preauthorization dates for procedures. In…
Rheumatology Coding Corner Question: Follow-Up Knee Injection
On Nov. 4, a 55-year-old female patient presents to the office for a follow-up visit for injection of the left knee for osteoarthritis. This is her third of three injections that were preauthorized through Oct. 31. She reports pain and swelling in her left knee and rates the pain at an 8 on a 10-point…
Opioids No Better Than NSAIDs for Chronic Back or Arthritis Pain
(Reuters Health)—Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are better than opioids at easing the intensity of chronic pain in the back, knees or hips, a U.S. experiment suggests. And opioids are no better than these other drugs at reducing how much pain interferes with daily activities, such as walking, working, sleeping or enjoying…
Year in Review: Expert Covers 2017’s Key Clinical Findings
In a Year in Review session at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, Daniel Solomon, MD, MPH, highlighted the latest and most intriguing aspects of clinical research on rheumatic diseases from 2017. His discussion touched on medical therapy, genetics, the effects of bariatric surgery and diet, cancer risk and more…
Varus Thrust Is Associated with Progressive Knee OA
To determine if varus thrust, a bowing out of the knee during gait (i.e., the first appearance or worsening of varus alignment during stance), is associated with incident and progressive knee osteoarthritis (OA), these researchers undertook an Osteoarthritis Initiative ancillary study. They also considered hypothesized associations adjusted for static alignment, anticipating some attenuation. Methods: Gait…