Evening star., 1960-08-29

Dear DR.. Steincrohn: What
is osteoarthritis? Is there
anything to do for it? Sin
cerely, Mrs. j., New Jersey.
1 AM GLAD that you are
making a request about a
specific form of arthritis.
This indicates that you know
there are various kinds. You
haven't asked me to do
something for your "rheu-
matism," which is an in
definite term.
It is important to make
this distinction because the
treatment for various types
of arthritis differs. For ex-
ample, you could treat un-
recognized gout all year and
not get anywhere if you used
the treatment we advise for
osteoarthritis.
OsteoarthritiS? This is a
degenerative arthritis. 1t is
one of the less serious types
but probably the most COM
mon. 1t begins in most peo-
pie during their 30s and 40s
as the natural process of
aging. You may have it, and
except for stiffness or pain,
feel healthy otherwise. How
bad you feel depends upon
just how much joint degen-
Grafton there is.
Osteoarthritis begins as a
wearing away of the carti-
lage which covers the end of
bones. This exposes the un-
derlying bones and the
smooth cartilage is replaced
by hardened bone. 1t is these
outgrowths of bone that
cause interference with
movement and produce pain
and stiffness.
Why is the condition worse
in some than in others?
Heredity may be a factor.
But other factors are over
weight, poor posture, in
jury or excessive physical
strain. X-rays, of course, are
important in making the
diagnosis. But this is some
thing to remember: Some of
the worst looking joints un-
der X-ray cause no symp-
toms at all.
Osteoarthritis more often
affects the spine, hips and
knees. Usually found in
women there is a form that
causes a knobby appearance
of the end of the fingers.
There may be some pain and
redness, but these symptoms
usually disappear after many
years.
We can't cure osteoarthritis
but we can make you more
comfortable.
Protect your joints from
injury. Practice good posture.
Regular application of heat.
Daily therapeutic exercises.
Aspirin and similar COM
pounds for pain. Use cane or
braces if necessary. And
what is quite important, ad-
just your living habits so
you reduce the amount of
strain placed on your joints.
Your doctor will tell you how
to do all this.
X Il y
MANY A HUMAN shows
great faith in Mother Nature.
He pays S. for a bottle of
medicine and watches it
gather dust on the shelf
unopened.
- y
I am continually advising
people they might be better
off if they learned to take
maps. Many try and fail.
Others learn, but are too
ashamed to admit that they
indulge. Ask a man if he has
enjoyed his long nap. Nine
times out of ten he will an
swer: didn't close my eyes
for more than a minute"
4 u Il y
Are men or women the bet
ter patients? There are ex-
ceptions, of course, but I
think women deserve the
trophy. They withstand pain
better and seem to be more
philosophical about illness.
y u u
Most people put doctors
into the same category as
they do policemen or fire.
men. Valuable citizens; nice
people to have around. But
nonessential unless an emer-
gency raises its head. I
like to think they are i'm
portant ALL the time. To
PREVENT crime. To PRE-
VENT fires. To PREVENT
illness.
X X X
MEN SOMETIMES wonder
why the doctor has them
take a "two-step" test in
making the diagnosis of
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