How was 2022 for you? It’s certainly been a busy year for us at Chris Bailey Orthopaedics, with hospitals reopening fully after the pandemic closures of 2020/21, and more clinics and operations now happening than ever before. It’s been another busy year here on the blog too! As the year draws to a close, we thought it might be useful to look back on some of the things we focused on over the 12 months. Here are seven things you may have missed…
The rise (and rise) of gout
We kicked off the year with a piece on gout – often associated with historic overindulgence but actually very much a modern problem, with numbers surging over recent years. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a build-up of tiny urate crystals. But is exotic food the culprit? Not necessarily: factors like medication, blood pressure and family history may have a key part to play too.
Read: How do you know if you have gout in your knee?
Arthritis and the winter blues
Does cold weather make arthritis worse? Answer: it’s complicated. Though research suggests more people experience arthritis pain over the winter, evidence for a biological link is rather thin. So what else might be going on? Increased sensitivity, reduced activity and lower mood are a few things that might be involved – and hold some clues about how to combat the problem.
Read: Why does my arthritis get worse in the winter?
Rod Stewart’s knees
In June, we looked at Sir Rod Stewart’s post-op jogging regime. “After a knee replacement and ankle fusion surgery, at 77 I’m back to top fitness…” he wrote, with a video of himself to prove it. Could any patient do this? Possibly. But it’s not something we usually recommend, due to the potential for knee discomfort and implant wear.
Read: Can you run after a knee replacement (like Rod Stewart)?
Knee pain number one
If you experience a new knee pain, it’s more likely to be on the inner side than almost anywhere else. This article zoomed in on seven potential causes. They ranged from cartilage-related problems like arthritis, meniscus damage and chondral injuries to major ligament issues like an MCL or ACL tear. A less well-known reason might be plica syndrome, which we also profiled earlier in the year.
Read: What causes inside knee pain?
A course to fight pain
As autumn approached, we reviewed an excellent project called ESCAPE-pain. Endorsed by the NHS and Versus Arthritis, this six-week course aims to help people overcome chronic knee pain through group discussions and expert-led exercises. We really like that it’s so practical, and that it connects patients with people who understand what they’re going through.
Read: ESCAPE-pain review: a course to help you manage knee pain
Red flags for infections
Though infection is one of the rarer reasons for knee pain, it’s important to be aware of the tell-tale symptoms – particularly if you’re facing surgery in the near future. This blog examined three major types of infection (cellulitis, prepatellar and septic arthritis), before listing some of the red flags that suggest you should seek further medical help.
Read: Understanding knee infections
Snap, crackle and pop
As 2022 drew to a close, we reflected on one of the most commonly-asked questions in orthopaedics: what makes knees click?! Though crackling noises in our knee can be an indicator of a developing problem within the joint, they’re more likely to be caused by a natural process that affects just about everybody – tiny air bubbles collecting in the thick synovial fluid that burst as we flex our joints. Well, now you know…
Read: What causes noisy, clicking knees?
A very happy new year to all our readers and patients from everyone here at Chris Bailey Orthopaedics. We hope you have a restful break and a great start to 2023.
