Slideshows

  • Preparing for Joint Replacement Surgery Preparing for Joint Replacement Surgery

    In this slideshow, we look at 8 ways you can prepare--or help a loved one prepare--for joint replacement surgery.
  • 6 Differences Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis 6 Differences Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis the same condition? They aren't, and in this slideshow we look at 6 differences between these two diseases.
  • Osteoarthritis Myths Debunked! Osteoarthritis Myths Debunked!
  • 14 Questions to Ask before Surgery 14 Questions to Ask before Surgery Before undergoing any surgery, you should be sure to do your due diligence. You wouldn't buy a house without asking around, so why would you not give your own body the same benefit?
  • 10 Surprising Facts About Arthritis 10 Surprising Facts About Arthritis

    A look at 10 surprising facts about the different types of arthritis.
  • 6 Tips to Getting the Most Out of a Doctor's Visit 6 Tips to Getting the Most Out of a Doctor's Visit

    Do you ever visit the doctor and wish you had remembered all the questions you were going to ask? Or that you were - figuratively - speaking the same language? Here are some tips to ensure that you and your doctor are on the same page.
  • 9 Things to Consider When Joining a Gym 9 Things to Consider When Joining a Gym Exercise is a very important piece to fighting and preventing osteoarthritis. But it takes more than just "any" exercise to keep your joints healthy. Target the muscles around the arthritic joint and work to strengthen these parts. As always, consult a doctor before embarking on any new exercise routine.
  • Everyday Ways to Protect Your Joints Everyday Ways to Protect Your Joints
  • 9 Tips for Creating a Successful Exercise Program 9 Tips for Creating a Successful Exercise Program

    New Year's Resolutions are often the times when people consider making lifestyle changes, including in creating a new (and successful!) exercise program. Don't wait until January 1 to change your lifestyle! Here are some tips for creating an effective exercise program for you and how to incorporate it into a long-term lifestyle change.
  • Common Prescription Drugs with Generic Alternatives Common Prescription Drugs with Generic Alternatives A look at some of the most commonly used medications that have less expensive generic alternatives.
  • 12 Tips for Preventing Osteoarthritis 12 Tips for Preventing Osteoarthritis Ideally, the best medical strategy is to prevent disease. However, one can only do so much in following this advice. Remember that injuries are never completely preventable, lifestyle is seldom perfect even for the most determined and, to some degree, osteoarthritis development is influenced by genetics.
  • 9 Steps to Creating an Osteoarthritis Diet 9 Steps to Creating an Osteoarthritis Diet Eating better always seems to be a process of elimination. While eliminating sugars, simple carbohydrates, and artificial chemicals can help improve health, some foods should be added to the diet.
  • 5 Tips to Get Omega-3 Fatty Acids Into Your Diet 5 Tips to Get Omega-3 Fatty Acids Into Your Diet Remember that omega-3 fatty acids are the "good fatty acids" that help your cells remain healthy, pliable, and strong. By contrast, omega-6 fatty acids are the "bad fatty acids" that contribute to cells becoming less pliable, and that contribute to red blood cells getting stuck and clogging arteries.
  • 8 Tips for Exercise with Osteoarthritis of the Knee 8 Tips for Exercise with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

    When a patient has arthritis pain in the knee, exercise may not be at the top of the list of desired activity. However, exercise can help increase flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength and can help control weight. It can also help strengthen bones and ligaments. Here are suggestions for exercises that can help your osteoarthritis.
  • 7 Steps to Avoiding Knee Pain 7 Steps to Avoiding Knee Pain

    Human beings are well designed for many things. We have large brains for poetry and quantum mechanics; we are good long distance runners, and of course have these awesome opposable thumbs. Unfortunately, some parts are not designed very well for our 21st century lifestyles. Chief among them is the "knee cap" or patellofemoral joint.
  • Exercise Tips and Recommendations for People with Osteoarthritis of the Knee Exercise Tips and Recommendations for People with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

    Safely strengthening the muscles around painful joints is one of the best ways to alleviate joint pain and keep the pain from returning. In fact, keeping muscles strong and flexible is one of the best ways to keep joint pain from occurring in the first place.
  • Joint Replacement Advice from a Three-Surgery Survivor Joint Replacement Advice from a Three-Surgery Survivor Over the last few years, my friend Carolyn Yetter has had both hips and one knee replaced. I asked her what advice she would give to people preparing for similar surgery. She shared her experiences with getting a second opinion, working with hospital staff members, and rearranging her home to make recovery easier.
  • 8 Great Gifts for People with Arthritis 8 Great Gifts for People with Arthritis
  • Why Being Overweight Causes Pain: 5 Facts Why Being Overweight Causes Pain: 5 Facts

    Dr. Grant Cooper: Obesity does not directly cause osteoarthritis, but it increases the amount of stress that the weight-bearing joints must carry and contributes to joint wear and tear. Here are five facts about how obesity and arthritis are linked.
  • 8 Causes of Arthritis You Might Not Know About 8 Causes of Arthritis You Might Not Know About There are many risk factors for developing osteoarthritis, but it can be hard to know the facts from the myths. Adapted from Taking Care of Arthritis published by The Reader's Digest Association Inc.
  • Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    What is the Carpal Tunnel? What are the symptoms? What causes the condition? Learn how to prevent this condition and when to see a doctor.
  • 8 Causes of Shoulder Pain 8 Causes of Shoulder Pain

    Shoulder pain can be mild or debilitating. It can be caused by trauma, injury or a long-term degenerative condition. Learn more about what could be causing the pain in your shoulder.
  • 7 Things You Didn't Know About Your Joints 7 Things You Didn't Know About Your Joints Human joints are amazing structures, but they are also vulnerable to damage, inflammation and wear-and-tear. Find out more about your joints and how to protect them from arthritis.
  • 10 Questions About Arthritis 10 Questions About Arthritis Here are questions HealthCentral visitors asked about arthritis and my answers.
  • 9 Treatments for Arthritis of the Hands 9 Treatments for Arthritis of the Hands Osteoarthritis in the hands is the most common form of the condition. In fact, symptoms occur in nearly all women over the age of 70. It develops when the cartilage in the fingers and hand joints begins to break down, causing pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints, particularly in the thumb. Aching hands can be severely detrimental to quality of life, costing some jobs or hobbies. Here are nine options to help treat arthritis in your hands.