Knee News and Research

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Magnetic bracelets reduce pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee

Osteoarthritis affects around 760,000 people in the United Kingdom, producing over 3 million general practice consultations in 2000. Manufacturers of magnetic bracelets claim that they can reduce pain and worldwide sales were estimated at £2.6bn ($5bn) in 1999. But evidence about their effectiveness is contradictory.

20 Dec 2004

Injectable gel that could speed repair of torn cartilage

In a project that will likely be watched by football players, runners and other athletes, researchers at MIT and Harvard Medical School say they are developing an injectable gel that could speed repair of torn cartilage, a common sports injury, and may help injured athletes return to competition sooner.

13 Dec 2004

Benefits of weight loss may depend on alignment of affected leg, study suggests

A painful and sometimes crippling disease characterized by progressive cartilage loss, osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee affects an estimated 6 percent of adults over age 30.

2 Dec 2004

Topical cream alternative to Vioxx

A clinical study recently published in The Journal of Rheumatology concludes that a topical cream consisting of a blend of natural oils called cetylated fatty acids significantly increased range of motion and physical performance in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee with no reported side effects.

24 Nov 2004

CDC admits obesity stats flawed - pharmaceutical and weight loss industry at fault

A Wall Street Journal bombshell report that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has admitted to serious statistical errors in calculating that obesity kills 400,000 Americans each year is only the tip of the iceberg of gross exaggerations and miscalculations, according to The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF).

24 Nov 2004

Highly obese women are 12 times more likely to have diabetes

Highly obese women are 12 times more likely to have diabetes or knee replacement surgery, and five times more likely to have high blood pressure than women who are at a normal weight, says a new study.

23 Nov 2004

Patients with knee osteoarthritis should avoid long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Current guidelines recommend the use of oral NSAIDs in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and they are used regularly by half of all patients with painful osteoarthritis.

23 Nov 2004

Acupuncture better than drugs alone for osteoarthritis of the knee

Acupuncture, as a complementary therapy to drug treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, is more effective than drug treatment alone, find researchers from Spain in this week's BMJ.

18 Nov 2004

Oral contraception can prevent knee injuries as well as unwanted pregnancies

In 1960 the first oral contraception, Enovid-10, was launched in the US market, known as the “pill”. Women were finally enthused about a form of contraception marketed as “safe and effective” and readily used the pill. Within two years oral contraception was used by over 1.2 million women and the numbers continued to rise.

16 Nov 2004

Study indicates potential of alendronate and estrogen progression of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, a chronic inflammatory disease marked by cartilage degradation and bone abnormalities, is a leading cause of disability among elderly people in the United States.

4 Nov 2004

Researcher finds no long-term benefit of using glucosamine for knee joint pain

A popular food supplement used to treat osteoarthritis pain in knee joints has been shown to have no long-term beneficial effect, according to a national study conducted by a University of British Columbia post-doctoral fellow working at the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada

1 Nov 2004

Study clearly showed the benefit of weight loss in terms of pain, function and quality of life

Over 18 months, researchers at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University studied the frequency and prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints in obese patients before and after undergoing gastric bypass surgery.

21 Oct 2004

Study into ageing yields wealth of data

Any long-term study that follows people in their old age is bound to lose numbers because of deaths among its subjects, but the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA) and many of its participants are still going strong.

19 Oct 2004

Old and poor people are less likely to have knee replacement surgery

Old and poor people are less likely to have knee replacement surgery, although their need is often greater than that of younger, more affluent people, reveals a large scale study in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

13 Oct 2004

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug eases symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee

Symptoms of primary osteoarthritis of the knee, including pain and stiffness, were significantly improved in patients who used a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), according to an article in the October 11 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine.

11 Oct 2004

Study underscores the need for improved prevention and treatment of torn knee ligaments among young female athletes

Of the more than 17 million players participating in organized soccer nationwide, 7 million are female. While offering an equal opportunity playing field for student athletes, soccer has one unfortunate gender bias: women are more susceptible to knee injury.

7 Oct 2004

Researchers to develop dietary agents to reduce risk of cataracts for astronauts

Astronauts are at increased risk of cataracts because of space radiation. In fact, it is estimated during a long space flight to Mars and back, about one quarter of the crew would become blind because of space radiation-induced cataracts. Other groups which are at increased risk are jet crews, radiation workers and radiation accident cleanup workers.

5 Oct 2004