Ankylosing spondylitis
Pain reduces and mobility increases through exercise programmes
An exercise programme for older Asian people in New York has had great success, says a report from the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Six eight-week sessions of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) and three eight-week yoga exercise classes were conducted by bilingual instructors at four centres for older people. The programmes promote self-management of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions through exercise. Continue reading
New ligament found in the human knee
A previously unknown ligament in the human knee has been discovered by two Belgian knee surgeons, with implications particularly for those who have anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
Some people who have successful ACL repair surgery and rehabilitation continue to experience episodes where the knee gives way during activity and now we know why.
Dr Steven Claes and Prof Johan Bellemans have identified the anterolateral ligament (ALL), which is present in 97% of all human knees. Pivot shift (the giving way of the knee in people with an ACL tear), is caused by an injury in the ALL ligament. Continue reading
Device makes Kindles easier to use for people with poor dexterity
Many people, particularly those with poor dexterity, are much happier to use Kindles to read from as they don’t have to hold open a book, but many find the buttons awkward. Older people also enjoy the larger print available in Kindles but again find the ‘fiddly’ buttons a challenge.
A new device is being developed by Monmouth-based design company, E2L. The Kindle e-reader page turner allows push-button Kindles to be enjoyed by everyone, by adding large ‘paddles’ to either side of the eBook and a much larger on/off switch. Continue reading
Botox used in formation of new pain relief drug
A combination of Botox and tetanus could form the base of a new pain-relieving drug, says research published in Bioconjugate Chemistry.
A team of 22 scientists from 11 centres have developed a new way of joining and rebuilding molecules.
When they combined elements of Botox and tetanus toxin they found that the Botox part blocks pain signals and the tetanus part targets the central nervous system. The new drug could one day be used to treat chronic pain conditions. Continue reading
Supplements of essential amino acids may reduce muscle loss in knee replacements
Taking essential amino acids before and after knee-replacement surgery could encourage a quick recovery with less muscle loss, says a small study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
A total of 16 people were given 20g of essential amino acids twice a day for a week before and for two weeks after knee-replacement surgery. They were compared to 12 people who also had surgery but were given 40g a day of a non-essential amino acid supplement. The placebo group lost 18.4% of quadriceps muscle mass in their operated leg six weeks after surgery. But those getting the supplement of eight essential amino acids averaged a 6.2% loss. Continue reading
