Archive for the ‘Joint Care’ Category
Osteoporosis
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
DESCRIPTION
Osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bone”, is a progressive reduction in normal bone mineral density, mass, and strength resulting in marked bone thinning and vulnerability to fracture. Although bone mass normally declines 1.5–2% per year in both sexes after age 40, women are at greater risk for osteoporosis since their peak bone mass is naturally less than that of men due to their smaller size and muscle mass. Osteoporosis is very uncommon in men and is typically due to some underlying cause such as long-term use of anticonvulsive or corticosteroid drugs, alcoholism or hyperthyroidism. In women, osteoporosis is quite common, occurring in approximately one in four women after menopause, and is due, in part, to the perimenopausal decrease in progesterone and postmenopausal drop in estrogen, both of which play important roles in maintaining bone mass. (more…)
Osteoporosis
Monday, April 13th, 2009
There is a normal decline in bone mass after the age of 40 in both sexes (2% loss/year); women at much greater risk due to lower bone density prior to the age of 40; post-menopausal (PM) osteoporosis is the most common form; 1 in 4 PM women has osteoporosis (OP).
The diagnostic summary of osteoporosis is as follows:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Friday, March 20th, 2009
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the entire body but especially synovial membranes of joints, joints involved: hands, feet, wrists, ankles, and knees; affects 1-3% of the population; females outnumber males 3:1, age of onset is 20-40 years, but may begin at any age; onset gradual, but occasionally quite abrupt; several joints usually involved at onset in symmetrical pattern (both hands, wrists, or ankles); in one-third of cases, initially confined to one or a few joints; effected joints warm, tender, and swollen; overlying skin has ruddy purplish hue; disease progression-joint deformities in hands and feet (“swank neck”, “boutonniere”, and “cock-up toes”).