EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Shanghai hospital retrospective cohort study of 249 pts w/ post-Unilat TKA & lat knee pain. 144 Rx w/ IA steroids vs 105 Rx w/ PO meds. Infection rate w/in 6 mos post-TKA found no signif difference (2.1% vs 2.9%); Injx pts had signif better pain relief, QOL & knee function (KSS) https://t.co/ULVO6KU7pn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diagnostically, Xrays are effective & sufficient at Diagnosing chronic low back pain; X-rays predicted MRI results in approximately 75% of the cases for common low back pain problems suggesting they may be a preferred initial imaging study for this condition. https://t.co/PYzd1zXIRz
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Yoga vs Strengthening Exercise in Knee Osteoarthritis
A randomized clinical trial in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients showed both yoga and strengthening improved knee pain over 12 weeks, with no difference between groups.
There is limited evidence on the comparative effectiveness of yoga and strengthening
ACP: Best Practice Advice on Cannabis or Cannabinoids Use for Chronic Noncancer Pain
The American College of Physicians published a best practice advisory on cannabis or cannabinoids in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Joint Implant Metals May Be Leaking
MedPage Today
Patients with metal-containing joint replacements had significantly higher concentrations of cobalt in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relative to patients without arthroplasties, researchers reported.
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Cardiac-MSK Patients at Highest Risk for Falls and Death
EurekAlert!
A new study by researchers at Peking University and the Chinese PLA General Hospital has found that multimorbidity—living with multiple chronic diseases—is closely associated with worsening fall conditions and mortality among middle-aged and older adults in China. The findings,
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Predicting Premature Death with Multimorbidity
Machine learning (ML) models were used to predict premature death in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of 2 or more chronic conditions.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Hip Fractures
JAMA reviews the use of peripheral nerve block with hip fractures as an effective pain management strategy that can be performed by credentialed clinicians outside of the operating room.
Hip fractures are common, especially in older adults (≥65 years), and may include a 1-year mortality
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Can you distinguish which PsA? Persistent inflammatory (PIPsA) vs non-inflammatory PsA (NIPsA)? NIPsA has normal ESR/CRP, w/ obesity, biomechanical pain, OA, fibromyalgia, secondary post-inflam damage or central pain mechanisms. https://t.co/WwhdIkpJFJ https://t.co/6b5KHQRfKo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
World Changers (3.14.2025)
Dr Jack Cush and his podcast friends are out to change the world. Here is his weekly review of the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.
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Earlier ACL reconstruction and a lower risk of knee osteoarthritis
EurekAlert!
A preclinical study by HSS investigators found that earlier anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction led to lower immune cell activity, less inflammation and fewer joint changes associated with knee osteoarthritis compared to delayed surgery. The research team shared their study
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Can you distinguish which PsA? Persistent inflammatory (PIPsA) vs non-inflammatory PsA (NIPsA)? NIPsA has normal ESR/CRP, w/ obesity, biomechanical pain, OA, fibromyalgia, secondary post-inflam damage or central pain mechanisms. https://t.co/9SRmpNfXCF https://t.co/wsH6poUO1m
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2024 Rheumatology Year in Review
2024 was a year of surprising new growth in technology, with the expansion of new therapeutic options for many patients and clinicians. While these many advances offer new hope, they are countered by disappointments and gapping unmet needs in rheumatology. Below is my top 10 list
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Increased Mortality In Arthritis Patients with COPD
EurekAlert!
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis have a higher risk of death than people with arthritis who do not have COPD, according to a new study. The study is published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD
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Intraarticular Steroids in OA Lowers Need for Pain Meds
MedPage Today
Is it possible that intra-articular corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis might affect the use of opioids?
British patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who received intra-articular corticosteroid injections had less usage of
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I ALWAYS recommend paraffin wax baths for stiffness, RA, OA, PSS, etc.
Here are some instructions for home use https://t.co/CTI4K2kHf9 https://t.co/i0kO99vdYc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Ankle Fusion or Total Replacement?
In a large study of British patients needing surgical treatment for advanced arthritis in the ankle, fusion appeared to be a better option than total ankle replacement.
https://t.co/ZFbd2VinpP https://t.co/QCqMkxNLoQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Opioid Deaths are Down (2.28.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Opioid deaths are down, IL-33 levels are up and Weight loss is in the news again this week!
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Ankle Fusion or Total Replacement?
In a large study of British patients needing surgical treatment for advanced arthritis in the ankle, fusion appeared to be a better option than total ankle replacement.
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Blood Flow Restriction to Reduce Pain in Knee OA
A technique now widely used in sports medicine to speed recovery from leg injuries helped reduce symptoms and improve function in people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, a randomized trial showed.
https://t.co/IF1tkT5yvC https://t.co/0zQn8oBjeG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
BMC has published a full read literture review of pharmacological pain management in rheumatoid arthritis, pointing out that the best evidence for pain control comes from the use of DMARDs and treat-to-target strategies. In contrast, there is widespread use of analgesics in RA,
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Blood Flow Restriction to Reduce Pain in Knee OA
MedPage Today
A technique now widely used in sports medicine to speed recovery from leg injuries helped reduce symptoms and improve function in people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, a randomized trial showed.
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Participation is Up! (1.31.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. We also have two call-in cases on "Ask Cush Anything".
Be sure to join in the fun at RNL 2025 next weekend - Gong Show Karaoke; what will you sing?
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Young Males and Future Risk of MSK and Chronic Diseases
A large cohort of 18-year-old Swedish males were followed longitudinally for cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal outcomes. They found that high body mass index (BMI) and smoking in youth were linked to the studied diseases later
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