A new study has directly linked operating room design to the length of surgeries, with implications both for patient health and hospitals' bottom lines ..read more

People may not hop backward often, but a new study shows that having people hop backward on one leg can be a better way of measuring strength and recovery in the knee, as well as other joints and muscles in the leg following ACL reconstruction surgery. Plus, the measure is easier to take and requires less specialized equipment for practitioners such as physical therapists ..read more

Scientists have developed a new bioactive material that successfully regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of a large-animal model. New material comprises peptides, proteins and polysaccharides that mimic the microstructure of natural cartilage. Within six months, researchers observed new cartilage growth ..read more

A new study has found that people with newly diagnosed OA (knee or hip) with contraindications to or precautions for NSAIDs use continue to be prescribed these drugs. Additionally they had higher use of opioids and slightly lower physical therapy (PT) use within the first year of OA diagnosis, both of which are not consistent with treatment guidelines for OA ..read more

Surgeons compared traditional and new fully hydroxyapatite-coated hip replacement stems. They found the new stems offer larger contact areas, while traditional ones preserve bone density long-term. This insight aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce revision surgeries ..read more

The shape of a person's kneecap could be an indicator of whether they're more at risk of developing osteoarthritis, according to a new study ..read more

A blood test successfully predicted knee osteoarthritis at least eight years before tell-tale signs of the disease appeared on x-rays ..read more

Scientists have discovered a gene mutation is responsible for causing psoriasis -- a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes patients to develop red, scaly and itchy patches across their body. According to researchers, if two copies of this mutated gene (known as IKBKB) are present, patients with psoriasis may go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, leaving them with joint pain, stiffness and swelling. It's hoped the findings will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis -- conditions that patients say carry stigma in the community ..read more

A drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis could also prevent the disease in individuals deemed to be at risk ..read more

A novel PET imaging technique can noninvasively detect active inflammation in the body before clinical symptoms arise, according to new research. Using a PET tracer that binds to proteins present on activated immune cells, the technique produces images of ongoing inflammation throughout the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis. This makes it easier for physicians to correctly diagnose and treat patients ..read more