Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center

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Cartilage Replacement vs. Knee Replacement Surgery

I’m facing double knee replacement. Both of my knees have moderate/severe osteoarthritus. Basically, it’s located on the inside of both knees. I’ve been treated with Synvisc, didn’t help. I’m always in a lot of pain even with riding bike 30min daily. Have you started doing cartlidge replacedment yet? Also, my Dr. talked about doing arthscopic to possibly help me wait for knee replacement until age 61. I’m 57 and it’s affected every part of my life physically and emotionaly. Thanks , Sue Konoske

Cure for Sciatica?

What is the cure for sciatica? I don’t like taking pain pills on a daily basis. There has to be something I can do to ease the pain.

Can Erosive Arthritis Cause Problems in All Joints?

I have been diagnosed with Erosive Arthritis. But all the joints are affected by pain; hands, wrists, shoulders, very bad in neck, feet, knees, lower back and to some extent hips. Can erosive do this? this past few months the knuckle joints (3rd set up is swelling and sore) which I thought was RA. I do not have ANA and I have low counts and receive IGG every 6 weeks for 10 years. Complicated – but do you think any of this can be RA – Last year and previous years I was on RA meds with no help – made my immune system break down but when I went off them my pain got worse. Thank you for your help.

Ankle swelling and inflammation after Pregnancy

I have had swelling and inflammation in my left ankle for over a year, which started when I was five months pregnant with my daughter – she is now ten months old and there is no sign of it disappearing. My doctor ordered bloodtests, the results from December show an ANA of 1:640 with a smooth staining pattern, ESR rate of 24mm/h, Plasma C Reactive Protein 13.0mg/l, FBC Normal, White cell count normal, liver function normal, HLA B27 antigen normal. The most recent test in April shows anti-cardiolipin antibody rate normal, a slightly elevated Plasma C level of 15.0mg/l, FBC and white cell normal, ESR rate 39mm/h. Can you tell me what this means – I have no other symptoms whatsoever and am healthy apart from the swollen ankle?