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Every year, we see more advancements in medicine, including development of newer high-tech medical devices like those used in knee replacement surgery. According to a recent news feature form ABC 6, a new device works much “like a GPS” during total knee replacement surgery to help align a new artificial joint.

medical-instruments-3-1033916-mProper and secure alignment is essential in the long-term success of a total knee replacement. No matter how skilled a surgeon may be, if the artificial knee joint or the surgical cutting guide has been defectively designed, as we have seen in many cases, there is significant risk the knee will not be aligned properly. Even if proper alignment is established during surgery, manufacturing defects can cause the knee joint to shift out of alignment.   An artificial knee out of alignment can lead to significant pain and suffering and failure of the device. Continue reading

For over a year, we have been hearing a great deal about potential benefits of minimally invasive knee replacement surgery. However, according to a recent news release from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, minimally invasive knee surgery may not be right for every patient choosing to undergo elective total knee replacement.

hospital-hand-1100587-mIf you are speaking with an orthopedic surgeon about having a total knee replacement, there is a decent chance you are discussing the risks and benefits of having the minimally invasive procedure. As the name implies, minimally invasive knee replacement involves using a smaller incision than in traditional or “open” total knee replacement and does not involve cutting as much muscle or other tissue surrounding the knee joint. This can result in a hospital stay that is shorter, as well as a shorter recovery period. There is also less blood loss, which can make the surgery safer in many cases. For these reasons, the Cleveland Clinic recommends you discuss this option with your surgeon. Continue reading

According to a recent news article from CBS, a World War II veteran who served as a fighter pilot was recently attacked, and the alleged attacker was his 63-year-old son. Authorities say victim’s son has been verbally abuse to victim in the past, and, on this occasion, allegedly punched his father’s dog, causing the two men to argue. During the course of their argument, defendant allegedly punched his father inside father’s home, causing him to fall to the floor. When he hit the floor, he suffered various injuries, including a broken hip.

ww2-b17-bomber-5-1624078At this point, sheriff’s deputies say defendant left the home with his father lying in pain on the floor without offering any assistance or calling for help. When other family members found victim, they called 911. Police and paramedics arrived at the home. Police obtained an arrest warrant for defendant and arrested him on charges of aggravated battery of a person over the age of 65. This is known as a sentencing enhancement, which is added to a charge when the victim is a child, elderly, or physically or mental disabled. It can add years to the sentence and add mandatory minimum prison time, as well. Defendant is being held on $100,000 bond and is currently in a county detention center. Continue reading

In Cooper v. Takeda Pharmaceuticals, an appeal from the Court of Appeal for the State of California, Second Appellate District, a husband and wife filed a lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals in which they alleged defendant’s Actos drug was responsible for husband’s bladder cancer, with which he was diagnosed in 2011.

perscription-drugs-2-1160103-mTakeda manufactures pioglitazone, which is the generic name for Actos, a drug used to treat and control Type 2 diabetes. The drug was first on the market following approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration, and husband took the medicine from 2006 until his diagnosis with bladder cancer in 2011. Continue reading

The manufacturer of Eliquis is now claiming there has been a reduction in deaths for Afib patients who take the anticoagulant medication, but a review at the United States Food and Drug Administration is questioning this allegation, according to a recent news article from the Journal Sentinel.

pillsEliquis is one of what are now four new anticoagulants on the market to treat a medical condition known as atrial fibrillation (Afib). Afib is characterized as a disease associated with an irregular heartbeat that leads to the formation of blood clots, and, if these clots end up blocking blood to the brain, they can cause the patient to have a stroke. For this reason, the patient must take either a blood thinner, which was the preferred form of therapy for years, or one of the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), including Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa and Savaysa.

That last one, Savaysa, just received FDA approval and was brought to market earlier this year. Continue reading

There are a various reasons a person might have total knee replacement. Some suffer sports injuries. Others have incurred catastrophic injury, such as being in a serious car accident. Then there are those who suffer chronic issues, such as years of arthritis pain.

While a broken knee as a result of a serious car accident can lead to the need for a total knee replacement, the most common reason people see an orthopedic surgeon to consider an artificial knee implant is because they have been suffering from osteoarthritis for years, and the pain is at a point where it has become difficult to walk or do any of the tasks required for daily living.

hospital-corridor-3-65901-mAccording to a recent news feature from Reuters, a total knee replacement is being suggested as a way to “turn back the clock” on serious and painful osteoarthritis. Researchers have seen that after a patient undergoes a total knee replacement, he or she is likely to have substantially less pain and increased range of movement and leg function compared to the time prior to the operation. However, it is important to understand that, following a knee replacement to treat serious osteoarthritis, a patient will not feel as good as they did when they were young and pain free, but they may still feel a great deal better. Continue reading

Pradaxa is one of the popular drugs that are part of a relatively new class of oral anticoagulants used to treat patients who suffer from a medical condition known as atrial fibrillation (Afib). These news drugs have been designed and marketed as better alternatives to Warfarin (Coumadin), which has been the traditional drug therapy option for Afib for many years.

perscription-drugs-2-1160103-mWhile Warfarin has been proven to be effective at treating patients who suffer from Afib, patients must have their blood drawn on a very frequent basis, so their doctors can make sure the dose is correct. If the dose is not correct, Warfarin can result in serous internal bleeding disorders. There are also important dietary restrictions for patients taking Warfarin, because there are certain foods that can affect the rate at which the drug is absorbed by patients and lead to an incorrect dosage. Continue reading

These days, it is nearly impossible to walk down any aisle in the supermarket without seeing a product prominently labeled as being gluten free. This is because avoiding gluten is the lastest dieting/healthy-eating craze that is sweeping the nation.

oe0NkCiFor those that are not familiar with gluten, it is a protein compound found in wheat and other similar grains, such as rye and barley. Gluten is important in many baked goods, as it gives the elastic properties to dough and helps it rise. It also gives food a chewy texture that most people enjoy. Gluten is also an important source of protein for much or the world’s population and is added to a variety of foods. Continue reading

According to a recent news article from WSAV, the Fiat Chrysler Corporation was just ordered to pay a $105 million fine, based upon the results of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into how the company handled the recall of possibly dangerous automobiles.

chrysler-pacifica-1532832According to the consent order, all parties agreed there was an issue as to how 23 separate recalls involving around 11 million potentially dangerous cars, trucks, and SUVs were handled. The citation that the carmaker agreed to accept was based on various claims that the company did not act quickly enough in notifying dealers and customers of the potential defects and in getting the recall process underway. Continue reading

For years, testosterone replacement therapy has been marketed as the ultimate treatment for aging men who are experiencing weight gain, loss of muscle tone, fatigue, mild depression, erectile dysfunction (ED), and a reduced libido. In other words, they are marketing so-called Low-T treatments for men who are getting older. The problem is that these claims are not based on any scientific studies, and many in the medical community do not believe there is much benefit for patients who take the drug.

test-tubes-1-1416029-mAccording to a recent news article from the Huffington Post, a four-month study found testosterone replacement therapy does not help with the alleged sexual side effects of having a lower than average testosterone level. Continue reading

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