The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine Vol 28 No 4

March 28, 2011

Limited joint mobility (LJM) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). LJM often is characterized by hand stiffness, but other joints may be involved. The prayer and tabletop signs may be used to detect limitation of joint mobility in the hands.

March 28, 2011

The incidence of ankle fractures in the older patient population is rising. These fractures are characterized as fragility fractures associated with osteoporosis, but propensity for falls, increased weight, and polypharmacy may be bigger risk factors than poor bone quality.

March 27, 2011

Degenerative spondylolisthesis usually is asymptomatic but may be associated with symptomatic spinal stenosis. Because the latter often is detected by imaging studies in asymptomatic patients, clinical correlation between symptoms and imaging is critical.

March 26, 2011

Patients who improve their lifestyle and maintain a positive mindset before undergoing total joint replacement (TJR) surgery are more likely to have better functional outcomes than those who do not, according to several studies presented at the recent American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting held in San Diego.

March 25, 2011

Benlysta (belimumab) has received FDA approval for the treatment of patients with active, autoantibody-positive lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) who are receiving standard therapy, including corticosteroids, antimalarials, immunosuppressives, and NSAIDs, the agency announced.

March 23, 2011

Anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti–TNF-α) agents appear to improve inflammatory arthritis and disability in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, their utility for skin involvement is less certain.

March 23, 2011

After 12 weeks of therapy with methotrexate (MTX), a simple model using the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and swollen joint count (SJC) may be useful in indicating week 52 radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

March 23, 2011

The prevalence of moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis (OA) is high in middle-aged women. This high prevalence is corroborated by strong associations with abnormalities identified with the use of MRI in addition to radiography in patient assessment.

March 23, 2011

A responder index (RI), a composite measurement of face-valid and non-redundant clinical end points that assess aspects of disease, may help resolve some of the challenges associated with the selection and use of appropriate outcome measures for chronic low back pain (LBP).

March 23, 2011

Fewer than two-thirds of Medicare managed care patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receive a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).