A study from University of Toronto claims that adults who underwent physical abuse as children have about 56 per cent more chances of suffering from osteoarthritis as opposed to those who have not been abused. Osteoarthritis is said to occasionally be an incapacitating severe condition that affects millions of adults. The experts examined the affiliation between self-reported childhood physical abuse and detection of osteoarthritis (OA).

According to a study published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research suggests practicing tai chi can help seniors suffering from OA reduce their pain and improve their physical function. Treating arthritis pain may be possible with a relaxing alternative therapy. The ancient Chinese martial art known as tai chi may be effective in reducing knee pain in older people with osteoarthritis (OA).

Game Ready and ReGear Life Sciences have introduced ReBound, which is a new and innovative therapeutic warming system. The system is designed by ReGear to treat pain, muscle spasms and joint contractures using radio frequency (RF) diathermy. ReBound will be distributed by Game Ready. ReBound utilizes ReGear Diathermy technology, a revolutionary form of the well-known RF diathermy modality. Diathermy can alleviate pain associated with a variety of conditions such as osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower-back pain, fibromyalgia, soft tissue injuries and others.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. has presented results from the FLEXX Trial of Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International 2008 World Congress in Rome, Italy. The results show that EUFLEXXA(R), a highly pure non-avian high molecular weight form of intra-articular hyaluronic acid, is superior to intra-articular saline for pain relief in knee OA at the end of six months. The double-blind study had enrolled 586 patients. EUFLEXXA is the first hyaluronic acid derived from non-avian that has been approved in the U.S. for knee OA pain.

Physical activity is beneficial for osteoarthritis patients as exercise keeps the joints in good health. However, osteoarthritis makes even daily activities, challenging. A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan Health System has suggested that an approach, led by occupational therapy, called activity strategy training can help such people to live a more healthy and active life. Patients are educated about proper body mechanics, environmental barriers and joint protection.

A meta-analysis carried out by Carsten Moser of the Grönemeyer Institute for Microtherapy and Peter Wehling of the Molecular Medicine Foundation has found out that most of the therapies for knee osteoarthritis (OA) are ineffective, some of them being even risky. Another finding was that often, prescribed anti-rheumatic drugs do no good and have side effects. Not even a single standard treatment was found for the disorder. The researchers emphasize the need for a plan that focuses on individual treatment based on a comprehensive diagnosis of symptoms of each patient.

A research conducted by the University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute has concluded that a knee surgery does not relieve osteoarthritis patients from joint pain and provide for no improvement in knee functioning. A minimally invasive surgical procedure, arthroscopic surgery, adds no therapeutic value to medication and physical therapy for patients suffering from moderate osteoarthritis. The authors of the study have suggested that the resources which are currently allotted to arthroscopy for osteoarthritis could be utilized in a better way if directed elsewhere.

A new study, which is to be published in the April 2008 edition of the journal of Phytotherapy Research, showed that an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, Pycnogenol, can reduce all osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms by 56%. The study, led by Dr. Gianni Belcaro, revealed a particularly high efficacy of Pycnogenol for lowering joint pain by 55%. Moreover, patients required dramatically less standard pain medication (-58%), which significantly improved gastrointestinal complications resulting from the pain medication by 63%.

Photo by Mark Shandro