For Arthritis Pain: Lose Weight, Muscle Up, Forget Glucosamine

Also, forget knee replacement. As Dr. David T. Felson, a rheumatologist and epidemiologist at Boston University School of Medicine told New York Times health columnist Jane Brody, knee replacement is usually not the correct answer for osteoarthritis in knee joints. In fact, Felson says, it does nothing for 10 to 30 percent of patients. What to do? Brody’s experts have two recommendations: lose weight and muscle up. Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, Felson asserts that “The severity of pain is directly correlated with the degree of muscle weakness” Also, says Brody, Wearing the right shoes with certain adjustments to the sole and heel, if needed, can help too. …Wedges specifically designed for you can help take stress off arthritic knees and hips. About glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, Brody says no well-designed research has found any real benefit. Read more from Jane Brody.