1/07/2004
Rosemont, Ill. -

Recently diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of the knees, President Bush is just one of the many people in the baby boomer generation coping with their aging joints. In fact, significant increases in the number of people with back pain, hip fractures, arthritis, osteoporosis and bone/muscle disorders are projected as the population ages. This is one of the reasons why President Bush proclaimed the years 2002-2011 as the Bone and Joint Decade a global initiative to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve peoples quality of life. Although it is commendable that baby boomers are staying physically active, high impact activities that repeatedly pound, twist and turn the knees can stress aging joints. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) describes such over-use injuries as boomeritis sports-related injuries suffered by baby boomers including bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis, sprains, strains and stress fractures.

As a practicing orthopaedic surgeon, I often see first-hand the types of injuries associated with overuse in the baby boomer population, who are trying to stay active on an aging frame, says Nicholas DiNubile, MD. As their bodies undergo age-related changes, baby boomers may find themselves at increased risk for a variety of musculoskeletal problems, especially the knee.

Highly active, middle-aged people may develop painful knees as a result of degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis (OA). This painful condition happens when the cartilage lining on the ends of bones gradually wears away. It can affect one or both knees.

Symptoms of OA of the knee may include pain when standing or going up and down stairs. The knee may buckle and give way, lock in place, or become stiff and swollen. Risk factors contributing to OA of the knee include people over age 55, obesity, and a family history of OA. Younger, highly active people may also develop OA if their knees have had a significant injury.

An orthopaedic surgeon will consider the patients medical history; perform a physical examination and possibly order tests and/or imaging studies before recommending a course of treatment. For middle-aged patients, the earlier a physician diagnoses OA of the knee, the more likely conservative treatment may help. If OA of the knee is in its early stages, the physician may recommend low impact activities, leg-strengthening exercise and other non-operative treatments such as medication, weight loss, injections, physical therapy and mechanical aids that can delay or eliminate the need for surgery. In some cases, activity modification may be the only treatment a middle-aged patient needs.


Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Contact: Mindy Weinstein
1-847-384-4034
weinstein@aaos.org