Monthly Archives: July 2015

Recipe for Easing Arthritis Pain

Did you know arthritis, or chronic inflammation, can be eased by adding these nutrients, found in this simple recipe, to your grocery cart? All you need is a fillet of fatty fish, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 glass of orange juice, 1 cup of cherries, 1 teaspoon of ginger and turmeric, and 1 cup of green tea.

 

Fatty Fish are Fantastic

Certain types of fish, like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel, are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.  These fats fight inflammation and work to increase the health of your heart. Eating fish a few times a week will ease the pain of arthritis and keep the old ticker ticking.

 

Olive You

Olive oil contains healthy monounsaturated fats and a natural compound called oleocanthal which can help prevent inflammation. It combats your arthritis pain by blocking the same inflammatory pathways in the same way as ibuprofen or aspirin. Switch out your vegetable oil for extra virgin olive oil to increase your fight against arthritis.  

 

Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana

The antioxidants in vitamin C can help slow the progression of osteoarthritis and promote the growth of collagen, a major component of bone cartilage. Start your day with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice and increase consumption of foods that are rich in vitamin C: grapefruits, guavas, kiwis, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower and kidney beans.

 

Pretty Please, With a Cherry on Top

Cherries, especially tart ones, contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins which help reduce inflammation by stopping the production of inflammatory chemicals. They also can help maintain the health of your connective tissue. If cherries aren’t your thing, anthocyanins can also be found in other fruits including blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, boysenberries, elderberries, raspberries, strawberries, red and black grapes, and plums.

 

Spice Up Your Life

The spice turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which could be beneficial in managing chronic inflammatory-related joint disease such as arthritis. Turmeric has been used in India for centuries to ward off inflammatory diseases and is often found in traditional Indian cuisine, especially in curry powder. Ginger is another spice that contains chemicals that work similarly to anti-inflammatory medications, helping fight arthritis pain. Try steeping some fresh ginger with your daily cup of green tea or grate it into your favorite cocktail.

 

A Cup a Day Will Keep the Doctor Away

Unlike black tea, green tea contains a natural antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Similar to the anthocyanins found in cherries, EGCG can reduce inflammation by stopping the production of inflammatory chemicals. This can help the cartilage from breaking down, which can help to preserve joint health. Start your morning off right with a steaming cup of green tea

If you’re arthritis pain persists, please make an appointment to see a specialist at AOC.

Like AOC on Facebook

Follow AOC on Twitter

Resource 1

Resource 2

Resource 3

Like AOC on Facebook

Follow AOC on Twitter

There’s a New Type of Knee Replacement in Town

Your knees are, in some shape or form, involved in almost all of your daily activities. Whether you are driving to work, shopping for groceries, or playing golf, you are using your knees. Yet, people rarely think about their knees. That is… until they start to hurt.

Since the first knee replacement surgery was performed over forty years ago in 1968, the world has witnessed countless advances in technology, from the creation of the internet and cell phones, to the sequencing of human DNA.  During that time, knee replacements have become one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. Therefore, it is only fitting that the technology used in knee replacement surgeries has advanced as well.

AOC physician, Dr. Matthew Barber, is the first orthopaedic surgeon in the Mobile area to embrace a revolutionary technology designed to improve patient outcomes with a better fit, faster recovery, better function and greater overall patient satisfaction. The customized knee replacement technology strives to make the procedure even more successful than when using traditional off-the-shelf implants. The product is called the ConforMIS iTotal® and despite being a relatively new technology, there have already been over 30,000 implantations of these customized devices across the country.

Prior to ConforMIS customized implants being available, orthopedic surgeons could only chose from a limited range of sizes of “off-the-shelf” implants. With ConforMIS, a uniquely sized and shaped implant can be designed and manufactured for each individual patient and matched to their specific anatomy. The first step is a CT scan is taken of the patient’s bone. From there, the CT scan is submitted to ConforMIS and a three-dimensional model of the knee is created using proprietary imaging software. This model is used to create a mold using advanced 3D printing technology, which re-creates the shape of the patient’s knee, corrected for any underlying deformity. Additionally, 3D printing is also used to create a complete set of instruments for the surgeon that are single-use and only used during one procedure. Total production time is only 6 weeks.

“ConforMIS is able to create implants that are within millimeters of a patient’s biological knee, thereby avoiding size compromises often faced with off-the-shelf implants,” says Dr. Barber. The customized fit of the iTotal requires less bone and soft tissue removal by the surgeon, which is believed to help shorten recovery time and offer the potential for a knee that moves more naturally.

At this time, Dr. Barber is the only orthopaedic surgeon in the Mobile area to offer a customized option for partial knee and total knee replacement implants. If you feel you might be a candidate for this innovative procedure, please call Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic at (251) 410-3600 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Barber today.

Like AOC on Facebook

Follow AOC on Twitter

Is it just a sore knee?

It’s a fact, kids play hard. However, while they’re playing and having fun, children don’t realize they are sore until it’s time for bed. As their bodies begin to relax, sore muscles and joints begin to ache; these aches are commonly called growing pains. However, if pain persists, it may be more than a sore muscle or joint, it could be juvenile arthritis. Here are a few tips to help you know the difference.

Growing Pains vs Juvenile Arthritis

 

What are growing pains?

Children who complain of growing pains, often describe pain or discomfort in their legs or arms. Growing pains tend to affect children at night; it is not uncommon for aches to wake children from their sleep. Don’t panic, although these aches are called growing pains, there is no evidence linking growth with pain. After all a child’s rate of growth is too piecemeal to cause pain.


Symptoms of Growing Pains

Symptoms of growing pains are pains in the muscle, rather than in the joints. Common spots include the front of the thighs, the calves and the backs of the knees. Pain typically does not last for long periods of time. If pain does persist, it may be time to call a pediatrician.  Quick tip: a warm bath before bed can help soothe sore muscles.

What is Juvenile Arthritis?

Yes, children can get arthritis. Juvenile arthritis affects children under the age of 17. Children who have juvenile arthritis may experience persistent pain, swelling and stiffness in their joints.

Symptoms of Juvenile Arthritis


Symptoms to watch out for are tenderness, pain, or swelling of the joints, limited range of motion, joint stiffness, and fatigue. If joint pain persists more than a week, make an appointment to see a doctor ASAP.

Like AOC on Facebook

Follow AOC on Twitter

Resource 1

Resource 2

Resource 3

Resource 4