4 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Is knee
replacement
surgery the
only option?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a
female in my 60s, and for the past
couple of months I have been having
some discomfort and swelling in my
right knee. I am slightly overweight
and have osteoarthritis. I have no pain
when walking, but when leaning over,
I get a tight pain in the front of the leg,
below the knee. I saw my orthopedic
doctor, who told me that the cartilage
is worn away, and said that I would
need a knee replacement. I was given
a cortisone shot, which helped the
pain.
Would losing weight help me avoid
surgery? I take an anti-inflammatory
and rubbed Bengay on the knee,
which helped. I went for another opin-
ion from a second orthopedic surgeon,
had more X-rays taken and was given
the same diagnosis. Is there anything
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Family and friends rally around as
you confront an unexpected chal-
lenge. Some plans will have to be
changed until all the fuss and fluster
settle down.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Your creative gifts find new outlets
for expression this week. Someone (a
Libra, perhaps) has ideas that you
might find surprisingly appealing.
Pay attention.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
You’ll soon be able to restart those
delayed travel plans. A financial mat-
ter you thought was closed could sud-
denly reopen. Be prepared to take
swift, decisive action.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A
more I can do to avoid having a knee
replacement soon? — C.W.
ANSWER: Osteoarthritis of the
knee can cause permanent loss of the
cartilage. Once the cartilage is gone,
the knee replacement is by far the best
option to reduce pain and improve
function. However, there are some
things you can do to delay the need for
surgery, as well as to feel better.
Losing weight is important, if you are
carrying more than you should. Your
body weight is multiplied when you
are going up and down stairs, so los-
ing even a few pounds means much
less pressure inside the knee.
Anti-inflammatories and Tylenol
reduce pain but don’t affect the pro-
gression of disease. Bengay, topical
anti-inflammatories and capsaicin
creams help some people. Steroid
injections are a good option for some:
Hyaluronic acid shots, such as
Synvisc, help many as well. Exercise,
however, definitely improves both
pain and function. Walking a little bit
farther each day means being able to
walk still more without pain.
A joint-replacement surgery
shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. Not
everybody has a good outcome, and
an infection in an artificial joint can be
devastating. However, it has been my
experience that most people who have
gotten a joint replacement wish they
had done so sooner, so don’t suffer for
too long if these treatments aren’t
helping.
The arthritis booklet discusses
osteoarthritis, along with rheumatoid
arthritis and lupus. Readers can order
a copy by writing: Dr. Roach — No.
301W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando,
FL 32803. Enclose a check or money
order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6
Canada with the recipient’s printed
name and address. Please allow four
weeks for delivery.
DEAR DR. ROACH: What do you
know about Himalayan salt? Is it
harmful to take every day? I am told
that it can help lower blood pressure,
because it has minerals and trace ele-
ments. — M.S.
ANSWER: Himalayan salt, though
it has a pretty pink color and trace
minerals, is still almost all table salt —
sodium chloride — and salt raises
blood pressure for most people.
Keeping sodium intake down is likely
to reduce risk of heart disease and
stroke. Generally, people with a
healthy diet get all the trace minerals
they need. Most studies on multivita-
min and mineral supplements have
shown no benefit.
romantic relationship takes an unex-
pected turn. You might be confused
about how to react. It’s best not to be
rushed into a decision that you’re not
ready to make.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Don’t
let your pride stand in the way of
resolving an emotionally painful situ-
ation. This is a good time to deal with
it and let the healing finally begin.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) A workplace problem that you’ve
been handling so well suddenly spins
out of control. Don’t panic. You can
rely on your good sense to help you
restore order.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Wearing rose-colored glasses
won’t solve a thorny personal situa-
tion. You need to take a hard look at
what’s happening and then act
according to the facts.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Weigh all your options
carefully before making any decisions
you’ve been putting off. Then go
ahead and plan a weekend of family
fun.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) While personal and
financial situations continue to
improve, some setbacks might occur.
But they’re only temporary, so hang
in there.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Family matters dominate
the week. Health problems raise con-
cern, but soon prove to be less serious
than you had feared. Things start eas-
ing up by the weekend.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Most situations are
calmer now, both at home and on the
job. But there’s still a chance that a
co-worker will set off another round
of unpleasantness.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
There’s no need to fish for compli-
ments from an admirer who can’t say
enough nice things about you. The
upcoming holiday bodes well for
family gatherings.
Siuslaw N ews
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