Patient Education

Close to 2 million persons in the United States were treated for football-, soccer-, and volleyball-related injuries in emergency departments and doctors’ offices during 2011.

New CDC data indicate that persons who have arthritis are significantly more likely to be physically inactive than those who do not, in spite of the proven benefits of physical activity for arthritis management.

More than 440,000 persons were treated in hospitals, doctors' offices, and emergency departments for winter sports–related injuries in 2010, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Heart and overall health are known to improve with weight loss, but your patients' joints may benefit as well.

Long hours of sitting at a desk can take its toll on one or both of your patients’ hip joints, but some simple measures can provide relief.

The theme of this year's World Arthritis Day—celebrated every year by the American College of Rheumatology and other organizations—is "Move to Improve."

Patients who are to receive treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome prefer to collaborate with their physician in decision making about their medical or surgical care.

Health and fitness professionals now may customize exercise prescriptions for healthy adults with the help of new American College of Sports Medicine recommendations.

For many, summer is carefree vacation time that often includes travel. For persons with arthritis, however, travel can be challenging and uncomfortable.

Patient Guide for patients exercising in the heat

Blending nutritional drinks in the summer

Advice for patients who exercise in the summer

The level of osteoporosis knowledge is low among patients with fractures in spite of a high volume of available information.

National Scleroderma Awareness Month, a time dedicated to drawing attention to the disease symptoms, prevalence, and related conditions.

A combination of weight loss and exercise provides greater benefit than either intervention alone.

Close to 70% of women who responded thought that the disease can be prevented, but only 50% recognized exercise as a method of osteoporosis prevention.

Fewer than half of the overweight patients and fewer than two-thirds of the obese patients in this study had been told by their physician that they were overweight.

Patients who follow a home exercise program after a hip fracture are more likely to remain active than those who receive usual care.

They now suggest an intake of 600 IU/d of vitamin D for most healthy adults younger than 71 years and 800 IU/d for healthy persons 71 years and older.

Many overuse injuries associated with running, such as tendinitis, shin splints, and stress fractures, can be prevented.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones lose their content of minerals, particularly calcium. When this occurs, the bones become weakened an prone to fracture. Common sites of fracture include the spine, hip, ribs, and wrist.

Wearing a bicycle helmet is the single most effective safety measure you can take in bike riding. Make sure the helmet fits well and has a label indicating it meets safety requirements.

Patient Guide for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Sjogren syndrome affects up to 4 million Americans. There is no cure, but the symptoms—mainly dry eyes and dry mouth—can be relieved.

Involving patients in decision making may help improve the quality of care.

This surgery is an excellent option for relieving pain and restoring function in patients with osteoarthritis.

When and how choices were made and altered help determine the approach to treatment. Becoming an informed consumer helps a patient take control.

The "logical plan" for patient care includes sparing use of medications, providing pain relief, and quick resumption of work.

Now physicians can address injuries and match best clinical outcomes with patients’ values to decrease treatment errors and morbidities.

More effective communication can improve both adherence to and outcomes of gout treatment regimens.

Physicians treating patients with fibromyalgia syndrome should rule out coexisting disorders and establish possible inducing factors.

Shared decision making can allay concerns about drug toxicity and adverse effects and encourage compliance with treatment.

A simple classification of nerve entrapment lesions separates candidates for a trial of conservative therapy from patients who will require referral for surgery.

Patients may have difficulty distinguishing weakness and fatigue, as well as asthenia.

The name and identifying features derive from what happens to the skin: it becomes thickened and swollen from deposition of excessive amounts of collagen.

Hip fractures in older patients are projected to increase in frequency as the US population continues to age.

The signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be controlled with early diagnosis and treatment.