Osteoarthritis: The Facts helps patients and their carers better understand the condition, empowering patients with the knowledge and skills to actively take charge of their own health by knowing as much as they can about osteoarthritis, and finding out how this can be best managed. Part 1 details what osteoarthritis is, what causes it, who it affects, what the main symptoms are, how it is diagnosed, and what the long-term outcome is. Part 2 explains the potential aspects of management that can be used for osteoarthritis, including self-management strategies, exercise, diet, medications, surgical treatments, and alternative therapies. Osteoarthritis: The Facts also includes a useful resources section, including information on support groups and websites, providing the reader with an opportunity to educate and empower themselves with tools that will help reduce their suffering.

Previous edition: published as by Elizabeth Arden. 2008.

Worldwide, osteoarthritis is one of the most rapidly rising conditions associated with disability. For most people, it is a syndrome of joint pain and stiffness, with associated functional problems that have a substantial effect on quality of life. As well as expert advice on well-established diagnostic criteria and the latest practical treatment information, this comprehensive handbook provides: • updates on the genetics of the disease • novel concepts of the association between structural changes and pain • recent recommendations for the use of modern imaging modalities • the latest on intra-articular therapies • an insight into current developments in the field. For all healthcare professionals who have ever felt unable to provide effective therapy for this disease, or who have encountered negative patient and community attitudes to joint pain, 'Fast Facts: Osteoarthritis' is essential reading. Something can be done to help every person with osteoarthritis!

For all healthcare professionals who have ever felt unable to provide effective therapy for this disease, or who have encountered negative patient and community attitudes to joint pain, Fast Facts: Osteoarthritis is essential reading.

Osteoarthritis is a common disorder of the joints that affects more than 2 million people in the UK, and studies suggest that this number will double in the next 20 years. The condition is strongly associated with ageing and is believed to affect up to 30% of people over 60 years of age. There are a number of misconceptions surrounding osteoarthritis and this, combined with the lack of effective drug treatments, often leaves patients dispirited and confused about their condition. Osteoarthritis: The Facts helps patients and their carers better understand their condition with a view towards self-management. The text is designed to be easy to read and is organized into two main parts. Part 1 details what osteoarthritis is, what causes it, who it affects, what the main symptoms are, how it is diagnosed and what the long-term outcome is. Part 2 summarises the current management of osteoarthritis, including the role of exercise, diet, medication, "nutriceuticals", alternative therapies, and surgery. The book also includes a useful resources section, including information on support groups, websites, and further reading.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs that provide disability benefits: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSDI provides disability benefits to people (under the full retirement age) who are no longer able to work because of a disabling medical condition. SSI provides income assistance for disabled, blind, and aged people who have limited income and resources regardless of their prior participation in the labor force. Both programs share a common disability determination process administered by SSA and state agencies as well as a common definition of disability for adults: "the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." Disabled workers might receive either SSDI benefits or SSI payments, or both, depending on their recent work history and current income and assets. Disabled workers might also receive benefits from other public programs such as workers' compensation, which insures against work-related illness or injuries occurring on the job, but those other programs have their own definitions and eligibility criteria. Selected Health Conditions and Likelihood of Improvement with Treatment identifies and defines the professionally accepted, standard measurements of outcomes improvement for medical conditions. This report also identifies specific, long-lasting medical conditions for adults in the categories of mental health disorders, cancers, and musculoskeletal disorders. Specifically, these conditions are disabling for a length of time, but typically don't result in permanently disabling limitations; are responsive to treatment; and after a specific length of time of treatment, improve to the point at which the conditions are no longer disabling.