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Paragon Press – May 2014

Ortopedic News Bites

Could a Total Hip Replacement help me live longer?

Research has shown that patients who receive Total Hip Replacements (THR) have an improved quality of life and reduced overall pain. Some patients treat the hip pain without surgery, but studies show the replacement surgery:

  • Prolonged their lifespan
  • Reduced risk of heart failure
  • Reduced rate of depression
  • Lowered the risk of diabetes

Not only did these researchers prove there are added benefits to having a total hip replacement, patients actually save money by having the surgery. It is fairly expensive to manage disability related to hip arthritis.

Symptoms You Should NOT Ignore

Have you had something change in your health that made you scratch your head? Did it come out of the blue? Are you wondering if it’s worth a trip to the doctor’s office? Here are some of those issues you shouldn’t keep to yourself because they are indicators of a problem.

  • Constant canker sores: Can be a sign of celiac disease.
  • Blood in your stool: This can indicate many issues, such as colitis, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, or even cancer.
  • Shortness of breath: Causes can range from asthma, to low blood pressure, to a heart attack.
  • Sudden weight loss/gain: Unexplained weight loss/gain of 5% of your body weight. Possible reasons: lack of sleep, stress, medication, or a new medical condition.
  • Sudden hearing loss: Sudden hearing loss is not related to a general wax build-up within the ear. Immediate treatment is very important to preserve hearing.
  • Confusion or personality changes: Changes in behavior or thinking can be from dehydration or low glucose levels, or from something more serious, such as reaction to a medication.
  • Flashes of light in your vision: These can result from migraines, or signal a retinal detachment. Immediate attention is needed for retinal detachments to prevent permanent vision loss.

Daily Aspirin Not Helpful For Everyone

An analysis of the data from major studies shows that only those who have had a previous heart attack or stroke will benefit from a daily low-dose tablet of aspirin. There is no evidence that taking aspirin as preventative medicine without a history of a heart attack, stroke, or heart problems is effective. In this case, a daily aspirin can actually put you at risk for its side effects, such as bleeding in the stomach or brain. Anyone considering taking low-dose aspirin needs to discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor to determine if it is helpful. If your doctor does recommend a daily aspirin, be sure to check the dose on the bottle and if there are added ingredients, as some aspirins combine other pain relievers that should not be taken for long-term therapy.

The following articles were referenced for this newsletter:

http://www.amjorthopedics.com/articles/conference-news/article/thr-may-reduce-mortality-heart-failure-and-have-other-benefits/509f00bf83be2c66f5d8396adcc26d3f.html

http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201312?pg=56#pg56

http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/unexplained-weight-loss/basics/definition/sym-20050700

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/5-surprising-reasons-you-are-gaining-weight

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/symptoms-not-to-ignore/art-20045276?pg=1

http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1298330129309.html

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20140506/daily-aspirin-regimen-not-safe-for-everyone-fda-warns

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Paragon Press – August 2013

Aspirin vs. Warfarin

By definition, a thromboembolism is the formation of a clot (thrombus) in a blood vessel that breaks loose and is carried by the blood stream to plug another vessel. Clots are potentially fatal risks of surgery, with the severity of the problem depending on where the thrombus travels. If you have had total joint surgery in the past 40 years, then you probably know what warfarin is. As the drug surgeons have used to prevent postoperative thromboembolism/clots, warfarin is effective, but has many side effects. The most notable side effect is bleeding, since warfarin interferes with your body’s ability to clot. It can be difficult to determine the proper amount for each patient because dosing is individualized. A recent study following 28,923 patients showed that aspirin may be a more effective prevention for clots than warfarin.

The study showed patients who were treated with aspirin had:

  • A lower incidence of pulmonary embolism (clot to the lungs)
  • A significantly lower DVT rate (clots)
  • Fewer wound-related problems
  • Shorter hospitalization time

The patients who received warfarin were more than six times more likely to develop an embolism to the lungs than one on aspirin. It is also important to note that using aspirin would be less expensive because there is less monitoring of your blood clotting. Regular clinic visits to monitor clotting are necessary while a patient is on warfarin, but not for aspirin. This research shows clear advantages to aspirin, but more study is needed for a definitive answer as to which drug is safest and best. Dr. Van Horne and Dr. Bents keep up with the most recent studies and will review what is best for you and your surgery.

Did you know that because of genetics, some people metabolize caffeine slowly, needing 8 hours to rid half of it from the body, while others need just 2 hours?

Quitting caffeine usually brings withdrawal symptoms that can last 2 to 9 days and doctors recommend you taper off gradually over 2 to 4 weeks to kick the habit.

The following articles were referenced for this newsletter:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25032
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/thromb/2012/837896/
http://www.aahks.org/patients/documentary/inside_look.asp
Wall Street Journal: Tuesday, June 11, 2013, D1