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Researchers at hospital for Special Surgery have identified a potential new therapeutic target that could be used to treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The study, published online ahead of print, will appear Nov. 14 in the journal Immunity.

Approximately 21 million Americans - 9.5 percent of adults 18 and older - either visited or called a doctor for a prescription to reduce arthritis pain in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It is usually associated with aging and most often causes pain and stiffness in the fingers, knees, and hips.

Roche announced that the innovative new therapy ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) can significantly inhibit structural damage to joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) this is a critical measure of effectiveness of an RA treatment. ACTEMRA was also found to improve the patients' physical function after one year of therapy and to significantly increase the disease remission rate.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have received £500,000 to develop a treatment for the rare, genetic disease Alkaptonuria. patients being treated for the disorder do not have enough of the enzyme, homogentisic acid oxidase, which causes acid to build up in the body. Some of this acid is eliminated in the urine, but the remainder is deposited in body tissue where it is toxic.

Pycnodysostosis, a condition from which the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec suffered, is a genetic disease characterized by short stature. This rare disease, surprisingly, provides a window into how joints are destroyed by arthritis.

An assessment of the importance of the doctor-patient relationship provoking patients to rate their own doctor. How would you rate your doctor?

Compartment syndrome may be caused by a one-time traumatic injury (acute compartment syndrome), such as a fractured bone, or by ongoing overuse (chronic exertional compartment syndrome).

Physical therapy can be an important part of any comprehensive arthritis treatment program. Exercise, joint protection, and learning to balance rest and activity are just a few of the physical therapy goals.

What are the problems you need to overcome in receiving Social Security disability benefits? The evaluation process used by Social Security Administration to determine Social Security disability benefits is explained.

Pre-op and post-op thoughts of Carol Eustice as she goes through a revision hip replacement.