“Finger length has long been associated with many behavioral and physiological traits,” says John P. Barrett M.D., founder of the Arthritis Research Institute of America. “Results of a new study, Site Specific Osteoarthritis and the Index to Finger Length Ratio, show that if your ring finger is longer than your index finger, you are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.” The study was completed by Dr. Frances Vaughn Wilder, Dr. Paul E. Leaverton and Dr. Bernadette Ferraro of the University of South Florida. It was published in the peer-reviewed Osteoarthritis & Cartilage in November 2009. Data for this study was collected from research volunteers enrolled in the Clearwater Osteoarthritis Study, a study initiated over two decades ago. Results of the study also show that there is a stronger association of the pattern in women than in men. In males, the length of the index finger is usually shorter than the ring finger. The Arthritis Research Institute of America (ARIA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been studying thousands of study participants since 1988. ARIA conducts research to learn more about osteoarthritis and the major risk factors associated with developing the disease. The non-profit research organization is based in Clearwater, FL, and its findings have been published worldwide in prestigious medical journals such as Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Rheumatology and The American Journal of Physical Therapy. Arthritis is a group of different diseases whose symptoms can range from stiff joints to complete immobility and pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is the "wear and tear" type that affects more than 27 million Americans after the age of 50 as their joints begin to age. For information, call (727) 461-4054.
|
|
Osteoarthritis (OA) Bring Out the Flip-Flops and Sneakers, Better for Osteoarthritis Hope For Those With Osteoarthritis Knee Pain |
|
The next time someone points a finger at you, take a closer look at that finger. Finger length can actually indicate whether a person has a genetic predisposition to develop osteoarthritis. 
