Bones & Joints Archives

Harvard-Led Study Suggests Yoga Helps Protect Against Frailty

May 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Medical frailty refers to a loss of function, strength, stamina, and overall health and fitness. It can raise the risk of falls, hospitalizations, and death. But in a review of 33 studies, published in Annals of Internal Medicine (March 14, 2023), researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s … Read More

Do You Lean on Your Shopping Cart?

May 23, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Spinal stenosis can cause pain in the legs and/or the lower back when walking, and that pain it is often relieved by leaning forward. That’s why some people lean on a cart while shopping. Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal or the spaces where nerves exit the … Read More

Thorough Preparation Is Key for Knee Replacement

Apr 25, 2023 · Dawn Bialy · Aging & Independence

If you have a total knee replacement (TKR) this year, you’ll have plenty of company: Nearly 800,000 TKRs are performed annually in the United States, and this number will continue to grow as the population ages. Pain and limited mobility caused by osteoarthritis (OA) are the most common reasons for … Read More

Be Especially Vigilant About Your Bone Health if You Are a Cancer Survivor

Apr 25, 2023 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

All older adults are advised to think about how they can maintain their bone health. That’s because bone density decreases as we age. This can result in a condition called osteoporosis, in which bones become more porous and fragile. Osteoporosis is a particular problem for older women—although older men are … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Steroid Injections

Apr 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Q: The pain from osteoarthritis in my knees is getting worse. When is the right time to consider steroid injections? A: Corticosteroid joint injections are typically recommended if you’ve tried conservative treatments but they no longer work to relieve pain. These include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen … Read More

Ask the Doctor May 2023: OSTEOPOROSIS AND DEMENTIA

Apr 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Q: Is there a connection between osteoporosis and dementia? A: Several studies in recent years have demonstrated an association between the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis and a greater risk of dementia, but the reasons for the connection aren’t entirely clear. For post-menopausal women, who represent the vast majority of osteoporosis cases … Read More

Gout: A Type of Inflammatory Arthritis That Can Cause Severe Pain

Mar 26, 2023 · Dawn Bialy · Aging & Independence

If you’ve ever had gout, you’re familiar with the extreme pain and discomfort it can cause. Gout episodes sometimes resolve within a day or two, and they may never recur— but for some people, gout becomes a chronic health issue. In general, men are at higher risk of gout, but … Read More

Gout: Common, Misunderstood, and Curable

Mar 24, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. It affects an estimated 8 million Americans, and many don’t seek treatment, even though gout can be treated and essentially cured. It was once thought that diet and alcohol were the main causes of gout, but scientific advances show that gender … Read More

Are Anti-Nutrients Anti-Nutrition?

Feb 22, 2023 · Matthew Kadey · Aging & Independence

What are “Anti-Nutrients?” Compounds known as “anti-nutrients” may block or interfere with absorption of certain nutrients including iron, zinc, iodine, and calcium which may decrease the amount of nutrients you get from your food. But in living plants, these compounds act as a natural defense system against invaders including fungi, … Read More

Problem-Free Joint Replacement

Feb 22, 2023 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

Medical advances have helped make joint replacement procedures safe for older adults and people with serious health conditions who might otherwise have been advised to avoid surgery. The surgery now is fairly straightforward, and newer joints work better and last longer. Even so, joint replacement is not without risk. Possible … Read More

Bones & Joints

Enter Your Login Credentials