MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- With an estimated 30 percent of
American adults qualifying as obese, cases of weight-related health
problems have skyrocketed in recent years. Osteoarthritis of the knee has
emerged as one of the most prevalent conditions in overweight and obese
adults. This condition causes constant pain and can severely limit physical
activity if left untreated. The good news is that there are many treatment
options available, including joint fluid therapy.
SUPARTZ, the most prescribed joint fluid therapy in the world, has
become an increasingly popular treatment for mild to moderate
osteoarthritis of the knee. This course of treatment involves injecting a
substance called hyaluronan into the knee. Hyaluronan is a natural
substance similar to the fluid found in particularly high amounts in joint
tissues and in the fluid (synovial fluid) that fills the joints. The body's
own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and shock absorber in the synovial
fluid of a healthy joint.
Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which
the joint cartilage gradually wears away. It strikes not only the elderly,
but also hits people in their 30s and 40s who are overweight. Being just 10
pounds overweight increases the force on the knee by 30 to 60 pounds with
each step, adding wear and tear on cartilage, and causing joint pain.
With osteoarthritis of the knee, weight gain can become a cyclical
problem; patients have problems getting around because of the pain, but
inactivity will continue to cause weight gain. Additionally, because of the
added stress on the joints of an obese person, by their 40s or 50s, they
can have the joints of an elderly person, causing health problems well
beyond their years.
While doctors overwhelmingly recommend that obese patients with
osteoarthritis try to lose weight, treatment options like SUPARTZ are
providing relief and helping overweight people regain physical activity.
Once the patient regains movement, they can progress to a low-impact
routine of working out, and hopefully, lose weight.
While joint fluid therapy isn't the best option for everyone, it
provides substantial relief to many who experience nagging osteoarthritic
knee pain and can be a less invasive way to treat the disease. To learn
more about osteoarthritis of the knee or joint fluid therapy, ask your
doctor or visit ManageKneePain.com.
Media Contact:
Victor Rocha, victor.rocha@smith-nephew.com or 901-399-6771
SOURCE Smith & Nephew Clinical Therapies
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Related links:
http://ManageKneePain.com
CONTACT:
Victor Rocha of Smith & Nephew Clinical
Therapies, +1-901-399-6771, or victor.rocha@smith-nephew.com
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