Articles related to OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)

Jaw tightness and pain, also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tightness, can be caused by various factors. Stress or anxiety can lead to muscle tension in the jaw, resulting in tightness and discomfort. TMJ disorders, teeth grinding (bruxism), tetanus infection, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA) are other potential causes. To relieve a tight jaw, patients can try jaw joint stretches, opt for a soft food diet, and use mouthguards to prevent teeth grinding. Treatment options may include shortwave diathermy, hot and cold compresses, medication, or even acupuncture. It’s important for patients to consult a doctor or dentist if symptoms worsen or interfere with daily activities. By addressing the underlying cause and providing appropriate remedies, dental professionals can help patients find relief from jaw tightness and pain.

A 12-month controlled trial randomized 189 individuals to spend 70–90 minutes performing 11 exercises or 20–30 minutes performing 5 exercises for 3 months. Outcomes were measured biweekly for the intervention period and again at 6 and 12 months. The two approaches were similar, except for one outcome. In the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for function in sports and recreation, high-dose therapy was superior.

In a study of more than 800 rural-living men and women with knee osteoarthritis, an 18-month program of diet and exercise versus attention control yielded an average 14-pound greater weight loss in the test group – but not much difference in pain magnitude.

In a study involving 212 adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, an unsupervised online yoga program delivered via prerecorded videos over 12 weeks netted improved physical function vs. the control group. At 12 weeks, knee stiffness, quality of life, and arthritis self-efficacy improved more with yoga than the control intervention. Benefits were not maintained at 24 weeks. Adverse events were minor.

The knee arthritis meta-analysis reviewed 169 trials involving 21,163 patients, with the evidence demonstrating viscosupplementation is associated with a clinically irrelevant reduction in pain intensity and with an increased risk of serious adverse events compared with placebo. For the meniscus study, the commentary may sum it up best: “Multiple studies, including several with sham surgeries as a control have shown repeatedly over the previous 2 decades that surgery is not superior to physical therapy, yet the issue and use of surgery persist.”

You may know a few of the foods that have been shown to limit or slow down inflammation and relieve the pain that plagues many of your patients – and even possibly you! – in their joints. Here’s a great list from our friends at Healthgrades, which provides information on eight foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, anthocyanin compounds, oleocanthal, and other inflammation-soothing substances that could be the key to a pain-free day.