Mayo Clinic on Arthritis

404 Pages·1999·1.61 MB·English

by  Gene G. Hunder

title:
author:
publisher:
isbn10 | asin:
print isbn13:
ebook isbn13:
language:
subject
publication date:
lcc:
ddc:
subject:
Page i
Mayo Clinic on Arthritis
Gene G. Hunder, M.D.
Editor-in-Chief
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
Page ii
Mayo Clinic on Arthritis provides reliable, practical, easy-to-
understand information on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with
a focus on self-help. Much of the information comes directly from the
experience of Mayo Clinic physicians, nurses, research scientists,
health educators, therapists and other health care professionals. This
book supplements the advice of your personal physician, whom you
should consult for individual medical problems. Mayo Clinic on
Arthritis does not endorse any company or product. Mayo and Mayo
Clinic are marks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research.
Distributed to the book trade by Kensington Publishing Corporation,
New York, NY. Special thanks to the Arthritis Foundation for its
endorsement and support.
Copyright © 1999 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Address inquiries to: Mayo Clinic, Health Information Division,
Permissions Department, 200 First Street S.W., 5th Floor Centerplace
Building, Rochester, MN 55905.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 98-067333
ISBN 1-893005-00-3
Printed in the United States of America
First Edition
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Page iii
About Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common medical problems in the world.
It's the number one cause of disability in America. Nearly 40 million
Americans have some form of arthritis. So if you have arthritis, you're
not alone. Although a cure has yet to be found, effective treatments
and other strategies are readily available.
This easy-to-understand book focuses on the two most common kinds
of arthritisosteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritisbut includes
information useful to people with almost any form of the disease.
Within these pages you'll find facts you can put to use today to better
manage your disease. Much of the information is what Mayo Clinic
doctors, nurses and therapists use day in and day out in caring for their
own patients.
If you completely understand your disease and your treatment options
and you put this knowledge to use in daily living, we believe:
· You'll live more productively and comfortably
· You'll communicate more effectively with your doctor and other
health care providers
That's why we wrote this book.
About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic pioneered the group practice of medicine. Today, with
2,000 physicians and scientists in virtually every medical specialty,
Mayo Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive diagnosis,
accurate answers and effective treatments for people with both
common and uncommon medical problems.
With this depth of medical knowledge, experience and expertise,
Mayo Clinic occupies a unique position as a health information
resource. Since 1983, Mayo Clinic has published reliable health
information for millions of consumers, offering a variety of award-
winning newsletters, books and online services. Look for information
from Mayo Clinic to give you answers you can rely on for a healthier
life. Revenue from our publishing activities supports Mayo Clinic
programs, including medical education and medical research.
Page iv
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Gene G. Hunder, M.D.
Senior Editor
N. Nicole Spelhaug
Managing Editor
David E. Swanson
Editorial Researcher
Brian M. Laing, M.S.
Contributing Writers
Felicia Busch
Michael J. Flynn
Linda Kephart Flynn
Lynn Madsen
D. R. Martin
Jeff Meade
Stephen M. Miller
Robin Silverman
Catherine LaMarca Stroebel
Beth A. Watkins
Susan Wichmann
Editorial Production
LeAnn M. Stee
Medical Illustrators
Susan M. Balich
David A. Factor
John V. Hagen
Michael A. King
James D. Postier
Photographers
Mary T. Frantz
Joseph M. Kane
Randy J. Ziegler
Creative Director
Daniel W. Brevick
Graphic Designer
Kathryn K. Shepel
Editorial Assistants
Roberta J. Schwartz
Reneé Van Vleet
Sharon L. Wadleigh
Secretarial Assistance
Pennylu Marshall
Indexer
Larry Harrison
Reviewers and Contributors
Olga M. Anderson, O.T.R.
Linda B. Arneson, R.P.T.
Jill S. Beed, J.D.
A. Renée Bergstrom, M.Ed.
Pat L. Bremer, R.N.
Barbara K. Bruce, Ph.D.
Kenneth T. Calamia, M.D.
Donald C. Campbell II, M.D.
Carl W. Chan, M.D.
Robert H. Cofield, M.D.
Marc D. Cohen, M.D.
Stephen B. Erickson, M.D.
Francis Helminski, J.D.
Mary L. Jurisson, M.D.
Thomas G. Mason, M.D.
Eric L. Matteson, M.D.
Lester E. Mertz, M.D.
Kevin G. Moder, M.D.
Nancy A. Moltaji
Michael P. Mullen
Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D.
J. Desmond O'Duffy, M.D.
Terry H. Oh, M.D.
Christopher D. Sletten, Ph.D.
Jay Smith, M.D.
Barbara A. Treichel
Roger A. Warndahl, R.Ph.
David C. Weber, M.D.
Mary R. Wilson
Page v
Preface
We wrote this book to help you take control of your arthritis. The
contents are based on the approach that we take in helping people who
seek health care at Mayo Clinic.
We focus on self-help for the two most common formsosteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritisbut the information will be useful to people
with almost any form of the disease. We explain what arthritis is.
There are tips on management fundamentals: joint protection,
exercise, pain control, diet and, perhaps most importantly, how best to
maintain a consistently positive attitude.
We discuss a wide range of medications and review the latest surgical
treatments. We review complementary (alternative) therapies. You'll
find an insightful perspective on promising future treatments of
arthritis. We offer tips on traveling with arthritis and on coping with it
at work. We conclude with a chapter that lists and describes other
reliable sources of information on arthritis, including helpful
recommendations on surfing the Web for sound health information.
Our writing style is conversational and easy to understand. Mayo
Clinic doctors who specialize in arthritis reviewed each chapter for
accuracy. They were assisted by a nurse clinician, health educator and
Mayo specialists in orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, occupational
therapy, nutrition, pain management and human resources and by
arthritis specialists at our Scottsdale, Arizona and Jacksonville,
Florida facilities.
We can't promise a cure for arthritis, but we can tell you this: Your
disease doesn't have to defeat you. Arthritis can be a disabling disease.
Most often it isn't.