Posts Tagged ‘arthritis’

New research from the current issue of PM&R: The journal of injury, function and rehabilitation shows that running shoes may cause more stress on some joints compared to running barefoot. Researchers observed increased joint torques (a measure of the amount of twisting along a certain axis) at the ankles, knees and hips when subjects wore running shoes. This puts increased stress on these joints and may increase the risk of osteoarthritis. The study authors attribute this to the elevated heels and increased material under the arch, both of which are characteristic of today’s running shoes. This makes sense since a small change in foot mechanics due to improper footwear can lead to further alignment changes in your ankles, knees and hips. “Reducing joint torques with footwear completely to that of barefoot running, while providing meaningful footwear functions, especially compliance, should be the goal of new footwear designs,” says lead researcher Dr. D. Casey Kerrigan, MD. [via Science Centric]

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Another year, another medication recall. Johnson & Johnson has voluntarily recalled all product lots of their Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplet 100 count bottles with the red EZ-Open Cap after consumers complained of a musty, mildew-like odor which has caused nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and diarrhea. Johnson & Johnson states the odor originates from trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, which is believed to result from the breakdown of another chemical used to treat wooden pallets that transport and store packaging material. The company says the side effects have all been “temporary and non-serious.” The health effects of 2,4,6-tribromoanisole is currently unclear. If you have any bottles of the medication, it’s advised that you do not take it. Those who are seeking a refund or replacement can call J&J at 1-888-222-6036. [Associated Press via Yahoo! News]

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Magnetic and copper bracelets have been popular for quite sometime now. They have become alternative therapies used by many people to treat pain caused by various musculoskeletal diseases, such as arthritis. But do they actually work? Researchers from the UK have shown in the first randomized placebo-controlled trial that these metallic objects are, in fact, ineffective in treating pain. They say that any benefit derived from them can be attributed to psychological placebo effects. “…our findings suggest that such devices have no real advantage over placebo wrist straps that are not magnetic and do not contain copper,” said Stewart Richmond, the lead author of the study. However, he emphasizes that although these products don’t necessarily cause harm, people should be careful about spending a lot of money on products that claim to cure your ailments with magnetic therapy. The study was published in the current issue of Complementary Therapies In Medicine. [via Medical News Today]

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Tai Chi is a form of exercise that has been practiced in parts of Asia, especially China, for hundreds of years. It’s a form of martial arts that aims to cultivate the mind and body. Many practice Tai Chi because they experience improved physical function and mood. And now Australian researchers have determined that Tai Chi does in fact improve pain and disability in patients suffering from arthritis. However, I’m sure that practitioners of the art don’t need convincing, but modern medicine demands research trials be done. The researchers state, “The fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, and enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use this type of intervention for pain conditions such as arthritis.” The study is published in the June issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

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German scientists published in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association that drugs of the anti-TNF-α (anti-tumor necrosis factor) class used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are associated with an elevated risk of shingles. There are a number of anti-TNF-α drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, including Humira, Enbrel and Remicade. These drugs provide tremendous benefit to many with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. However, based on this new study, doctor’s should now be aware of this potential serious side effect.

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The US Food and Drug Administration has given approval to the first new gout drug to appear on the market in 40 years. Gout is an intensely painful form of arthritis. The new drug, febuxostat, will be marketed in the US under the name Uloric by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Febuxostat lower the concentration of uric acid in the blood of people with gout. It has been shown to be effective in clinical trials and is safe for patient with kidney or liver problems.

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