Haims: New method of diagnosing
Visiting Angels
Courtesy photo
Diagnosing osteoarthritis in the knee
If you’ve got it, you’re all too aware how disabling can be. If you’ve heard about it, or know people with it but don’t really know much about it, read on. And, if you’re living a physically active and demanding lifestyle here in the mountains, you should be aware that odds are, you’re going to experience it.
Although many people may think that arthritis refers to joint pain experienced solely by “older” people, they’d be quite wrong. Arthritis affects people of all ages, races, and sexes. Symptoms of arthritis include swelling, pain, stiffness, and diminished range of motion. While there are more than a 100 types of arthritis and related conditions, the two most prevalent types either cause a breakdown of cartilage or cause the immune system to attack healthy cells by mistake and thus cause painful inflammation.
Diagnosing
Because there are so many types of arthritis, diagnosing which type someone may have can require the help of specialists. Rheumatologists are specialists who have received additional formal training in musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions that involve bones, muscles and joints.
To the best of my knowledge, we do not have any board-certified providers of rheumatology here in our local mountain towns. This is quite unfortunate. With an estimated 40,000 people over the age of 60 living in the mountain communities of Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Grand, Routt and Moffat counties, one would hope that the need for such a specialist would be provided — locally.
Should you feel that you may have symptoms of arthritis, a great place to look for guidance and resources is to start with your primary physician. Denver also has many resources.
Recently, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Boulder were awarded almost $39 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to research regenerating therapies that may remedy degenerative cartilage and bone. According to CU Boulder professor Stephanie Bryant, PhD, “Within five years, our goal is to develop a suite of non-invasive therapies that can end osteoarthritis.”
Until recently, a medical provider’s clinical assessment of arthritis most often utilized X-rays, and other imaging tests such as an ultrasound or MRI. In some cases, they may have also performed an extraction of synovial fluid from a joint capsule. This simple extraction was often performed in the doctor’s office utilizing a syringe. Fluid obtained from the joint was then tested for white cell count, crystals, proteins, glucose, as well as cultured to detect infection.
Now, new innovative technologies utilizing AI technology and blood testing are providing insight to enhanced evaluations and preventative measures. Researchers and clinicians from Boston University have been developing a revolutionary light-based instrument that utilizes a technology called Raman spectroscopy. This new tool, called an arthroscope, will hopefully assist medical professionals gauge and determine the health of cartilage in the various body joints with the click of a button.
New blood testing research that utilizes AI technology is also showing promise for detecting osteoarthritis before long-term damage is caused. Researchers at Duke University recently published a report in the journal Science Advances, that validated blood testing that can predict the development and show the progression of osteoarthritis years before it has caused permanent damage.
Treating symptoms
Treating the symptoms of arthritis often varies depending on the type of arthritis. Commonly used arthritis medications include painkillers such as tramadol and oxycodone along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly referred to as NSAIDs.
Unfortunately, we all know the problems associated with painkillers. As for NSAIDs such as over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) and others available only by prescription, possible problems could be risk of stomach irritation and increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
People with osteoarthritis should be aware that there are food choices that may be of benefit to arthritis symptoms. Foods thought to help reduce inflammation and pain consist of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil and nuts, whole grains and fish.
Herbal remedies have also shown promise for treating arthritis. Herbs like turmeric, ginger, Boswellia serrata, capsaicin (chili peppers) and feverfew are a few believed to help with symptoms.
It is always best to include your medical provider before addressing health concerns on your own. While they may not always approve or believe in the efficacy of your choices, they can at least educate you of possible concerns.
Judson Haims is the owner of Visiting Angels Home Care in Eagle County. He is an advocate for our elderly and is available to answer questions.
