Recent news about prescription pain relievers has posed some difficult questions for the more than 20 million adult Americans affected by osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates. As bone begins to rub against bone, pain and loss of movement result. Treatment focuses on decreasing pain and improving joint movement, and may include exercise, medication, heat/cold therapy, joint protection, surgery and weight control.
Thankfully, there are alternatives available to
help ease the pain of this widespread and disease,
such as acetaminophen, the ingredient found in Tylenol.
Arthritis expert Dr. Kenneth Brandt gave a presentation to media entitled "Straight Talk On Pain," in an effort to help patients, and their caregivers, navigate the maze of treatment options and set the record straight on the best strategies to manage arthritis pain. He mentioned that medicines like Tylenol offer patients a safe
and highly effective way to manage their pain.
To demonstrate one of the activities osteoarthritis suffers can partake in with proper pain management, several members of the cast from broadway's hit show "Forever Tango" performed and offered lessons to the media.
Having failed dance lessons at Arthur Murray, this reporter declined, not wanting to end a promising career of the beautiful dancer who was to instruct me.
Dr. Brandt is the professor emeritus of medicine at Indiana University, Director of the Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center, and author of "An Atlas of Osteoarthritis."
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