Tag: Decreasing Knee Pain

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Knee Osteoarthritis

Refined Carbohydrates and Knee Pain

There is one main thing that artificial sweeteners, processed meats, and processed carbohydrates all have in common, and it's not good.

There is one thing that artificial sweeteners, processed meats, and processed carbohydrates all have in common, and it’s not good.

They’re delicious?

Maybe.

They can lead to weight gain?

Well, yes.

When consumed in excess they can lead to numerous health problems?

Yes.

But what about their effect specifically on those of us with knee osteoarthritis?

If you guessed “they increase inflammation,” then you are absolutely correct.

However, it isn’t just sugar, artificial sweeteners, and processed meats that can trigger an inflammatory response- which as a result can increase joint pain and stiffness. There is another common culprit that can be found just about anywhere and everywhere. And that culprit is refined carbohydrates.

It’s important to note that the keyword here is “refined” and not just carbohydrates in general. So before we jump into what exactly that means, let’s take a brief look at what a carbohydrate is.

Carbohydrates or “carbs” have been given a bad rap, and nearly every popular diet requires that they be eliminated entirely or at least severely reduced. However, carbs are not inherently bad.

In fact, carbohydrates are an important part of our diet as they help our bodies to function properly by serving as the primary fuel for our brains and our red blood cells. Therefore to try and cut them out entirely can lead to all sorts of problems including brain fog, bad breath, headache, weakness, and fatigue.

The healthiest carbs are those found in an unrefined and natural state. Sources of these good carbs include whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, which are all excellent sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Oftentimes these types are carbohydrates are referred to as “whole” and “unprocessed.”

Refined carbohydrates are whole grains, where the fiber has been stripped away.

This means that when the grain is refined, the bran which is a good source of fiber and vitamins, and the germ which contains vitamins and minerals that provide a variety of health benefits, are stripped away. This process leaves only the starch in the middle of the grain, which is then used to create white flour.

Common refined carbohydrates are white rice, white pasta, white bread, breakfast cereals, cookies, and more.

The problem with refined carbohydrates, other than their lack of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and fiber- is that when they are ingested, the body turns them into sugar quickly. Then, as a result of this spike in blood sugar, the body responds as it would to regular sugar, and triggers an inflammatory response. Which is of particular concern for those of us with knee osteoarthritis.

Therefore, it’s important that the consumption of refined carbohydrates is greatly limited as they can not only worsen knee pain by triggering inflammation but can also lead to weight gain and other health problems.

That being said, given their abundance in a western diet, it’s hard to avoid refined carbohydrates entirely. However, they can be greatly limited.

One way to limit refined carbs and curb cravings for them is to replace them with healthier more nutritious carbs.

In our next article, we will take a look at some of these whole or unprocessed alternatives to refined carbohydrates, which can not only decrease inflammation but can even prevent it from happening in the first place.

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Knee Osteoarthritis

Inflammation or Osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis can develop into a debilitating condition with a marked impact on a person’s overall health and quality of life.

When left untreated, knee osteoarthritis can develop into a debilitating condition with a marked impact on a person’s overall health and quality of life.

For many years the gold standard for treating knee osteoarthritis has been a total knee arthroplasty, also known as a knee replacement surgery.

Though this surgery has a well-established track record with a positive outcome, it is not without its complications.

First of all, a knee replacement, which is a major surgery that involves replacing either the damaged part of or the entire joint with a prosthesis— has a long long recovery period. And, it’s not necessarily a good fit for everyone.

According to an article published in the Journal of Arthroplasty called “Why are total knee arthroplasties failing today—has anything changed after 10 years,” a fair number of patients with knee osteoarthritis are not good candidates for knee replacement surgery.

The study found that certain comorbidities, such as diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease, malnutrition, renal disease, cirrhosis, and immunosuppression, are associated with increased medical and surgical complications when a knee replacement surgery is performed.

Studies have also found that the patient’s age is another factor to consider, due to the possibility that a knee replacement surgery performed on a young person, could increase their risk of aseptic loosening, and lead to several revision surgeries in the future.

Studies have also found that elderly patients are not always the best candidates for knee surgery, given the occurrence of age-related co-morbidities, and their increased risk of fractures.

Though knee osteoarthritis used to be considered a normal “wear-and-tear” disease brought on by years of stress on the knee and meniscal degeneration that comes with age, recent data has suggested it’s not that simple.

In fact, according to recent data published in The Journal of Rheumatology, entitled “Osteoarthritis, angiogenesis, and inflammation,” it is now understood that inflammation plays a role in not only the pain from knee osteoarthritis but also the progression of the disease itself.

So if inflammation is not only causing pain but driving the progression of knee osteoarthritis, can anything be done to stop it?

Fortunately, yes.

There is a treatment that can help alleviate these symptoms and potentially prevent further structural progression. That treatment is called Genicular Artery Embolization.

Genicular Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, in which the arteries that supply blood to the synovial lining of the knee are selectively catheterized.

Once the arteries are reached, tiny particles are injected through the catheter into these arteries where they reduce the blood supply, and in turn, reduce inflammation. The procedure typically takes one to two hours, and the patient can return home the same day.

Many people are experiencing the benefits of Genicular Artery Embolization, which can result in both immediate and long-term pain relief for patients with osteoarthritis.

GAE is an excellent choice for people who are not good candidates for knee replacement surgery due to certain comorbidities. It’s also a great choice for people who would like to postpone surgery, or who are too young for a knee replacement operation.

To learn more about Genicular Artery Embolization, and to find out if the procedure can benefit you, please call us today to set up your initial consultation.

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Knee Osteoarthritis

Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Osteoarthritis

A type of knee injection that is used to temporarily reduce knee pain,  is a Hyaluronic Acid Injection, also known as viscosupplementation.

Another type of knee injection that is used to temporarily reduce knee pain, is a Hyaluronic Acid Injection, also known as viscosupplementation.

Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that occurs naturally in the body as part of the synovial lining that coats the joints. Hyaluronic acid is also present in other areas of the body such as the skin and eyes, where it helps retain moisture and keep these areas lubricated.

When it comes to relieving osteoarthritis knee pain, hyaluronic acid can be injected into the knee to help provide cushioning and lubrication.

The injection of this lubricating fluid into the knee joint can sometimes result in temporary lubrication that may help to decrease knee pain and inflammation, as well as improve knee function.

However, unfortunately, just like with corticosteroid knee injections, the relief experienced as a result of hyaluronic acid injections is temporary.

That being said, though hyaluronic injections are temporary solutions, and will not cure knee conditions, they can be effective at relieving knee pain, in some cases, for up to six months.

The process of getting a hyaluronic knee injection is done through what is known as an intra-articular injection. This injection is usually administered by a nurse or trained healthcare professional, who should first check to make sure that this type of injection is suitable for you.

Typically hyaluronic knee injections are between one and five injections, usually a week apart depending on the brand of hyaluronic acid your healthcare professional uses.

The recovery period, post-injection typically involves avoiding jogging, high-impact sports, or being overly active for at least a few days following the injections. It is also recommended to avoid carrying heavy items or standing for long periods post injections.

For some, hyaluronic injections can provide immediate relief. While for others, it can take several weeks for the inflammation and pain to subside.

In fact, several clinical studies have investigated the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injections in treating knee osteoarthritis. And one of their findings was that the average time it takes to experience pain relief is around 4 weeks post-injection.

Studies have also found that the duration of relief periods can vary from 2 months to up to 6 months. With the most effective period, on average, being between weeks 5 and 13.

It’s important to note that not all studies conducted to test the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injections in treating knee osteoarthritis have reported positive results. For this reason, some doctors may not recommend this treatment. Research also shows that these injections may not work in overweight people due to the narrowing of joint space in the knee.

More recently, other types of injections are emerging, though they are still in the experimental stage, and are not FDA-approved at this time. These include using platelet-rich plasma or stem cells to help relieve pain and potentially encourage the healing of damaged soft tissues. Some people have found that these injections can provide long-term relief and help them to remain active, but they may not be suitable for all.

The bottom line when it comes to hyaluronic knee injections is that they do not treat osteoarthritis or the knees themselves. However, they can provide temporary relief.

This temporary relief can be best put to use by using it as a time to begin physical therapy and exercises to help strengthen the muscles that support the knee. It’s also a potential treatment to help relieve the pain in the weeks leading up to surgery or genicular artery embolization, which will provide long-term pain relief.

In our next article, we will take a look at some of the side effects and risks associated with corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections. As well as dive deeper into what the research says about these temporary solutions to osteoarthritis knee pain.

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

Finding Relief From Knee Pain

It is estimated that over 800,000 Americans get knee replacement surgery every year and even more people experience daily knee pain.

It is estimated that 800,000 Americans get knee replacement surgery every year, however, the number of people that have painful knee osteoarthritis is significantly more.

This means that many people in this country and worldwide, are suffering from the debilitating knee pain that comes with untreated osteoarthritis.  Which as a result, can interfere greatly with their daily lives, and limit what they can and can not do.

No one deserves to live with the significant pain, limited physical capabilities, and reduced quality of life that comes from living with untreated knee conditions. Especially with the many treatment options that are available.

The most common method of finding relief from knee pain due to osteoarthritis is through the use of medications or injections.

Though these methods may be helpful for those with milder cases of knee osteoarthritis, these types of treatments only offer temporary relief, and often come with a slew of unwanted side effects, and other health risks.

The most common medications taken to provide some relief from knee pain belong to a class of medications called NSAIDs.

NSAID stands for “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs”. Examples of these commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and some narcotics.

Though helpful in the short term, long-term use of these medications can lead to serious side effects.

The most common side effects of NSAIDs are gastrointestinal problems, including stomach irritation and reflux. It has also been reported that in some cases NSAIDs can contribute to heart problems and increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions.

Other side effects associated with using NSAIDs:

• Stomach irritation and ulcers
• Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
• Increased potential for bruising
• Exacerbation of asthma symptoms
• Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots
• Kidney damage

Another NSAID that is used to relieve osteoarthritis pain is a prescription-strength medication called celecoxib, also known by its brand name Celebrex.

This medication is more likely to be prescribed to patients that can not take some of the other over-the-counter NSAIDs due to stomach issues, as celecoxib is less likely to cause gastrointestinal bleeding. However,  there is evidence to suggest that celecoxib can contribute to the development of heart problems.

Some people can not take NSAIDs for a variety of reasons, in which case they might opt to take acetaminophen to relieve pain, also known by the brand name Tylenol.

Acetaminophen can relieve pain but does little to reduce inflammation. And, though it is widely used to treat pain, most doctors do not recommend acetaminophen as it is more likely to harm the liver than some of the other pain-relieving options that are available. In fact, too much acetaminophen can not only cause liver damage but can even lead to death.

Furthermore, some studies have even found that acetaminophen does little to help relieve osteoarthritis pain, especially when compared to the efficacy of NSAIDs.

When it comes to severe knee pain, another common pain reliever is a type of medication called an analgesic. These medicines are commonly known as “painkillers” and they work by blocking pain signals in the body. Though acetaminophen is technically an analgesic, the term is more often used to describe prescription painkillers such as tramadol, and opioids containing hydrocodone or oxycodone.

In our next article, we will dive deeper into looking at medications that are commonly used by those suffering from knee pain by focusing on their benefits as well as their risks.

In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about a non-invasive procedure to treat knee osteoarthritis, so as to avoid knee replacement surgery and the overuse of pain relievers, please call us today to set up a consultation at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, 301-622-5360.

 

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

Enjoying the Fall, Pain Free

Though we can not control fluctuating temperatures during the changing of the seasons, we can take action to lessen the impact it can have on our bodies.

Though we can not control fluctuating temperatures during the changing of the seasons, we can take action to lessen the impact it can have on our bodies.

In our last article, we took a look at 5 simple ways to decrease weather-related knee pain, which were:

  • Turn up the heat and keep those joints warm by keeping your home warm.
  • Wear warm clothing to keep your body warm, especially when going outdoors, be sure to layer up.
  • Take warm showers and baths to help boost circulation and soothe achy joints.
  • Exercise even though it’s tempting to cuddle up under a warm blanket all day, by moving your joints, will help decrease joint pain, and make you feel better all around. If it’s too cold out, try walking on the treadmill, or swimming in an indoor pool.
  • Stretch those joints with some yoga, and light stretching. Even stretching for just 10 minutes is enough to make a positive impact.

All of these recommendations are effective and 100% doable, but it gets even better than that…because…there’s more!

Here are five more easy solutions to decreasing weather-related joint pain, so that you can enjoy the fall and all the joy and activities that can come with it.

1. Hydrate

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Our muscles and bones are composed of a high percentage of water, and keeping them hydrated is crucial to the health and function of our bodies. If the weather is cold, try adding a few cups of tea to your daily water intake. Not only will this aid in hydration but it can also help warm up the body, which on a chilly day is definitely a win-win.


2. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Depending on the severity and frequency of pain, you may wish to speak with your doctor about taking anti-inflammatory NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, on days when the fluctuating temperature is aggravating your joints. NSAIDs can be very helpful at reducing pain and inflammation in the short term, however, they can interact with many other medications, so it’s important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist first.


3. Get Enough Sleep

Being sure that you are getting enough sleep is important for overall health, regardless of the changing weather. However, this may mean that you’ll need to make some adjustments to your sleep routine due to the days getting shorter, and thereby getting darker, earlier.


4. Eat Healthy Nutritious Food

This one may be obvious in its benefits for overall health including knee health- however, its benefits can be particularly helpful for those of us that are sensitive to weather fluctuations. Eating a diet that is high in anti-inflammatory foods, like those found in the Mediterranean Diet, can help keep inflammation low and reduce joint pain, regardless of the weather.


5. Stay Positive

Staying positive doesn’t mean that you should ignore your knee pain, but it does mean that you can change your attitude about it.

When the body hurts, it’s trying to communicate with us. This is valuable information that we can be grateful for. This information could mean we need an extra layer or two, or maybe we need to rest more, eat better, call a friend, take a walk, watch a movie, and just plain take good care of ourselves. And when it comes to weather-related knee pain, stay positive by reminding yourself that this too shall pass.

The Bottom Line: No matter how your body responds to the ever-changing weather, there is always something you can do to help ease any pain and discomfort. That being said, if your joint pain is persistent and interfering with your life, it should definitely be addressed by speaking with your doctor, and seeing if any further treatment may be necessary

Fortunately, there are many excellent treatment options to reduce joint part, and in particular knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. One of the best treatment options is a procedure that we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional called Genicular Artery Embolization. To learn more about this procedure give us a call today.

In the meantime, as the weather changes from summer to fall, get out the sweaters, and the blankets, and make your favorite cup of tea. Then get ready to cuddle up with a good book, a movie, or a long chat with a friend, while you enjoy the relief that comes from keeping those knee joints warm and cozy.

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

Reducing Weather Related Joint Pain

Preceding every change in temperature comes a change in barometric pressure which can increase knee pain and stiffness.

“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”

– Mark Twain

Preceding every change in temperature comes a change in barometric pressure which can increase knee pain and stiffness.

So why is this?

The general consensus among experts is that the increase in joint pain that can precede a weather change is due to changes in barometric pressure. When it is about to rain, the barometric pressure decreases, and this decrease in air pressure can cause the tissue surrounding the joints to expand. As a result of the expanding tissue, muscles, and tendons, more pressure is put on the joints which can increase pain.

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to control the ever-changing weather, however, there are plenty of things we can do to lessen the impact that these changes can have on our bodies, and more specifically our knees.

Here are 10 things you can do to keep knee pain at bay during barometric pressure and temperature changes.

1. Keep your home warm.

This one may be a bit obvious, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.

Making sure to keep your heater running, and even turning it up a bit first thing in the morning, can help keep weather-induced swelling at bay. And, along with heating your home, some find using an electric blanket or a heating pad can be helpful to keep the body and joints warm.


2. Wear warm clothes

Another action that can help decrease joint paint is to wear warm clothes- especially if you plan to venture outdoors. This includes putting on a hat and gloves and making an effort to layer up. The warmer you keep your body, the less it will be impacted by the changing temperature and air pressure.

3. Take warm showers and baths

Taking a warm shower or bath can help boost circulation, and soothe achy joints as your body absorbs the heat. It can also calm the nerves and help relieve stress which can positively affect overall health and wellbeing.

4. Exercise

Though it’s tempting to just curl up under a warm blanket in a warm house, no matter what the weather, exercise is one of the best things to do to keep joint pain at bay.

Though it may feel uncomfortable to be active during cold and rainy low air pressure days, moving the body and the joints can reduce joint pain and stiffness.

Simply walking on a treadmill, swimming in a heated pool, and stretching in a hot tub can all be helpful.

5. Stretch

Light stretching can go a long way when it comes to relieving joint pain, even on rainy days. Even just 10 minutes of stretching can make a difference.

Try doing any of the aforementioned suggestions above, and you may find that your weather-related joint pain is greatly decreased- and your mood is increased as well.

Just because we can’t control the ever-changing weather, doesn’t mean we have to just deal with the additional joint pain and discomfort that can come with it.

These five things can definitely make a difference, and that’s not all!

In our next article, we will take a look at five more easy actions that can be done to decrease joint pain aggravated by fluctuations in barometric pressure and temperature. With a little awareness and a pinch of effort, these simple tasks can have you feeling better, no matter what the weather brings.

 

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Knee Osteoarthritis

The Connection Between Diet and Knee Pain

Losing weight through proper dieting and exercise can decrease knee pain, and increase your quality of life.

Losing weight through proper dieting and exercise can decrease knee pain, and increase your quality of life.

In previous articles, we’ve taken a look at helpful knee-safe exercises, as well as stressed the importance of having a healthy diet. Today we are going to take a look at the connection between dietary choices and inflammation, which can increase osteoarthritis pain and decrease knee mobility.

Researchers have been studying the relationship between nutrition and osteoarthritis for quite some time. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is just one of many that have found a connection between following a western diet and increased progression of osteoarthritis. In this particular study, a “western diet” was defined as a diet high in red meat, sugar, salt, fat, and refined grains.

So let’s take a look at this western diet, and see what it is about these foods that are problematic when it comes to osteoarthritis of the knee.

Red Meat

Though lean red meat on occasion can be beneficial for our health, eating too much red meat can make arthritis symptoms worse.
The problem is that animal products contain saturated fats that can actually increase inflammation. So when it comes to eating red meat, it’s best to choose leaner cuts and limit the amount consumed.

Sugar

Though every diet involves limiting your sugar intake- when it comes to those diagnosed with osteoarthritis- this is a must.

Research has shown that there is a relationship between excessive sugar intake and increased knee osteoarthritic inflammation. In fact, according to a recent study,  researchers found that it only takes 40 grams of sugar, which is roughly the amount found in one can of soda, to trigger this response. Not only that, but too much sugar can also increase the likelihood of weight gain, which can be extremely detrimental to your joints.

Salt

Studies have found that cutting back on salt is a good choice for people with osteoarthritis. Research has shown that a high salt diet can increase the severity of osteoarthritis, and contributes to cartilage breakdown and bone destruction. There is also a link between a high-sodium diet and an increased risk of developing an autoimmune disease.

Though salt is a necessary part of our diet, as it helps the body to function properly- too much salt can cause swelling and water retention which will worsen the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Fat

There are good fats, like omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and avocadoes, and there are bad fats, such as trans fats found in processed foods and saturated fats found in animal products.

These “bad fats” can increase inflammation and contribute to a slew of other health problems such as heart disease and an increased risk of stroke.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates are grains that are processed in order to remove their natural nutrients and fiber. This process decreases their nutritional value and makes them more easily digestible. It also makes it easy for them to be absorbed into the bloodstream which causes a spike in blood sugar.

These foods, such as baked goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, and snacks with added sugar, salt, and fat- all greatly contribute to osteoarthritis pain, by triggering inflammation as well as weight gain.

The Bottom Line: By simply avoiding or at least limiting your intake of these foods, you can decrease the amount of inflammation in your body, and as a result, decrease osteoarthritic knee pain.

In our next article, we will look at some common beverages that should be limited or altogether avoided because they can increase inflammation and knee pain.

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

Losing Weight For Knee Health

If you are overweight, your chances of getting osteoarthritis in your knee are four to five times higher than someone who’s not.

If you are overweight, your chances of getting osteoarthritis in your knee are four to five times higher than someone who’s not.

In fact, overweight and obese people are not only more likely to get knee osteoarthritis, but their symptoms are reported to be significantly higher, with knee pain topping the list.

Fortunately, losing weight can help ease osteoarthritis pains. And there’s evidence to back this.

One important study, which was published in the Arthritis Care & Research, found that when overweight adults with knee osteoarthritis lose weight, they experience less pain, less inflammation, and better knee function.

The study also found that when an overweight person loses as little as 10 pounds, it can decrease the progression of knee osteoarthritis by 50 percent.

Of course, we all know that the best way to lose weight is through diet and exercise. However, for those of us that are overweight and experiencing painful knee osteoarthritis exercise may not be too appealing.

Depending on the severity of the knee pain and excess weight, it may be wise to work with your doctor to help create a customized exercise plan. Your doctor may refer you to see a specialist such as a physical therapist that can help you find the right physical activity while keeping your age, health history, and knee issues into account

If seeing a physical therapist or personal trainer isn’t in the budget, there are a few things you may wish to try on your own, that can help you lose weight while keeping your knee pain at a minimum.

Water Exercise:
Swimming, water aerobics, and walking laps in a pool are all excellent low-impact exercises for weight loss. Moving in water allows the knees and joints to flex without any gravity or weight against it, thus making it much less painful to move them.

Gentle Stretching:
Yoga and Tai chi are excellent practices that can teach you different stretches. Be sure to let your instructor know about your knee issues, so as to make the appropriate adjustments to the stretches if need be.

Walking:
If you are able to, walking is an excellent weight loss exercise and can be a very enjoyable one as well. You can walk while listening to a podcast, calling a friend, or just put on your favorite tunes. Rainy day? No problem, you can get the same benefits from walking on the treadmill at the local gym.

Cycling:
Depending on your level of knee pain and the severity of the osteoarthritis, cycling can be a great exercise. The movement during pedaling bends the knee but doesn’t put a lot of stress on the joints.

So give it a shot. Just thirty minutes of exercise a day can make a huge difference. Or you can even start smaller. Try 10 minutes, then 15, then 20…until you are able to reach that 30-minute mark.

Exercise will help you lose weight, and decrease osteoarthritis knee pain- but that is not the only way to lose weight. In our next article, we will look at some simple dietary changes that, when combined with exercise will help you feel better, lose weight and look great.