| , Baby Boomers (defined as those people born | | | | control, regular exercise, and avoidance of activities |
| between the years 1946 to 1964) are living longer, | | | | that aggravate symptoms. |
| staying more active, and very interested in continuing | | | | For pain control, analgesics such as acetaminophen |
| to maintain a vigorous lifestyle. | | | | (Tylenol) and various non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory |
| Multiple research studies have demonstrated the | | | | drugs (NSAIDS) are sometimes helpful. Unfortunately, |
| benefit of regular exercise in forestalling the | | | | they also have the potential for harmful side effects. |
| complications related to such degenerative conditions | | | | For patients with more severe symptoms, injections of |
| as diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. | | | | glucocorticoids (“cortisone”) and |
| Exercise is also important in maintaining the health of | | | | viscosupplements, which are special lubricants, can |
| joints by strengthening muscles, improving blood flow, | | | | alleviate pain. |
| and promoting joint flexibility. | | | | Devices such as lateral wedge insoles worn in shoes |
| Nonetheless, many people find, even as early as their | | | | to realign the knee or braces can also be useful for |
| 40’s that they have significant problems with | | | | some. |
| arthritis. They then go to see orthopedic surgeons | | | | In patients with significant discomfort who still have |
| who- as surgeons are trained to do- want to operate. | | | | cartilage left, there is another option. Born of the |
| According to statistics provided by the American | | | | regenerative medicine movement, resurgent interest in |
| Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, hip replacements in | | | | the use of autologous stem cells, stem cells obtained |
| the United States are expected to double from | | | | from the patient, has prompted the development of |
| 285,000 in 2005 to 572,000 in 2030, with knee | | | | new treatment approaches. |
| replacements also shooting through the roof from | | | | One such approach is the use of autologous stem |
| 523,000 to 3.4 million over the same period of time. | | | | cells along with platelet rich plasma (platelets are blood |
| Most joint replacement operations are performed for | | | | cells rich in healing and growth factors) to help grow |
| osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. | | | | new cartilage. |
| Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease where the cartilage, | | | | While the data is still in its infancy, there is solid |
| the gristle that caps the end of long bones, begins to | | | | evidence that the combination of stem cells and |
| degenerate and deteriorate. As the disease | | | | platelet rich plasma introduced into an osteoarthritis |
| progresses, the cartilage softens and further wears | | | | joint that has been primed with injury (using a small |
| away. Eventually the underlying bone is exposed. In | | | | gauge needle with ultrasound guidance) may lead to |
| addition, inflammation affects the joint capsule. In joints | | | | cartilage regeneration. |
| like the hip and knee, once the cartilage has worn | | | | Certainly, symptoms improve in the vast majority of |
| away, mechanical factors come into play and | | | | patients. Studies are currently underway to assess the |
| aggravate the situation. | | | | degree to which and the rapidity at which new |
| While newer techniques for joint replacement are | | | | cartilage grows using this technique. The attraction is |
| making this operation more attractive, what can a | | | | that this procedure is done using local anesthetic and is |
| Baby Boomer who has OA but who doesn’t | | | | minimally invasive. |
| want joint replacement surgery to do? | | | | For more information, contact the Arthritis and |
| Standard conservative therapies consist of weight | | | | Osteoporosis Center of Maryland at (301) 694-5800. |