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  • Celebrating Patient Recognition Week: the importance of keeping your bones and joints healthy

    Celebrating Patient Recognition Week: the importance of keeping your bones and joints healthy

    smiling woman sitting next to fitness ball and holding bottle of water February 1 marks the start of Patient Recognition Week, an annual event celebrating the important role of patients in the healthcare system. As the name suggests, this week is all about recognizing and honoring the hardworking patients who place their trust in the hands of medical professionals. But it’s not just about celebrating patients; it is also about promoting good health and well-being.

    Caring for our bones and joints is one of the most important aspects of maintaining good health. Our bones and joints play a crucial role in our daily lives, allowing us to move, work and play. Without healthy bones and joints, we wouldn’t be able to perform even the most basic tasks. That’s why it’s so important to take care of these vital parts of our body.

    What can we do to keep our bones and joints healthy? Here are a few tips:

    Exercise regularly to keep your bones and joints strong

    Exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep your bones and joints healthy. Regular exercise helps strengthen bones and improve joint flexibility.

    It’s important to find an exercise routine that you enjoy, whether it’s running, swimming or yoga. The key is to make sure you get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day.

    Eat a healthy, balanced diet to support your bones and joints

    A healthy diet is essential for maintaining strong bones and joints. Calcium and vitamin D are crucial for bone health, so include plenty of dairy products, green leafy vegetables and oily fish in your diet. Getting enough protein is also vital as it helps repair and build body tissues.

    Don’t ignore pain or discomfort in your bones and joints

    If you experience pain or discomfort in your bones or joints, it is essential to seek medical attention. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to further problems down the road.

    At Bone & Joint Specialists Orthopedic Center of Indiana, our team of experienced orthopedic specialists are ready to help you with all your orthopedic needs.

    Contact us at 219-795-3360 to schedule an appointment or ask questions about your orthopedic concerns.

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  • Curovate is a physical therapy app for knee replacement, ACL and more

    Curovate is a physical therapy app for knee replacement, ACL and more



    Document

    I started my company, Curovate, with a very simple vision, to make physiotherapy accessible to everyone worldwide. That was in 2015. Our physiotherapy app Curovate was originally released on the Google Play Store on August 1, 2016. When we first released the app, it provided rehabilitation for people after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. Seven years later, Curovate provides rehabilitation for all of the following physiotherapy-related issues on both iOS and Android devices:

    The video below gives a short preview of everything Curovate can help you with in your daily rehabilitation. The main purpose of our physiotherapy app is to help you stay consistent with your daily rehabilitation exercises at home after an injury or surgery.

    Curovate is a physiotherapy app for recovery before or after knee replacement, ACL surgery, knee osteoarthritis, knee strengthening exercises, hip strengthening exercises or hip replacement. Curovate has been developed and supported by physiotherapists.

    To learn more about our app and how it can help you with your recovery, visit our website here. Or download Curovate from the links below and get started on your recovery!

    If you need more tailored help during your surgery or recovery from your injury, check out our Virtual Physiotherapy page to book your 1-on-1 video session with a physiotherapist.

    acl knee physical therapy 1080x1080 2
    Download it on Google Play

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  • Fostering intimacy while living with an illness or disability

    Fostering intimacy while living with an illness or disability

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    Although chronic diseases are quite common (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 6 in 10 adults in the US have one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases), I’ve always had trouble finding tools that address the impact that chronic illness can have on relationships and intimacy.

    Now there’s a book that addresses exactly that problem: Sex – Interrupted: Fostering Intimacy While Living with Illness or Disability. Iris Zink, rheumatology nurse, and Jenny Thorn Palter, former editor of Lupus now magazine, have written a book that recognizes the intimacy issues that patients with chronic diseases often face and offers helpful suggestions for both healthcare providers and patients.

    Click below to read my review of the book!

    Book review: Sex – Interrupted: Fostering Intimacy While Living with Illness or Disability

    Moms facing forward

    You can also visit www.intimacyandillness.com For more information. The first 50 people to purchase the book through their website will receive a free sample copy of Pure Romance.

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  • Plums for your bones – Food for healthy bones

    Plums for your bones – Food for healthy bones

    Eating plums for your bones can help prevent or slow bone loss by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. There are two delicious recipes on my plum blog.

    Skelly and I spend a lot of time promoting strong bones and how to nourish them. But many women we meet don’t think about it – until it’s too late.

    Some women are so concerned about preventing cancer and heart disease that they don’t bother to worry about their bones. But the thing is: as a woman, you have a 50/50 chance of breaking a bone as you get older. Those are pretty bad odds.

    Broken bones are even more common in women than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined. [1]

    And supporting your bones is easier than you think. You can do something good for your bones with every meal.

    Let me give you just one example of powerful bone food...

    I’m talking about plums

    Or as some people like to say, ‘dried plums’.

    As we age, lower estrogen levels can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. These can increase bone loss and fractures.

    prunes for your bones bone health

    Plums rich in minerals

    Vitamin K, phenolic compounds and dietary fiber. These can all combat oxidative stress and inflammation.

    The evidence was recently published in the journal Advances in nutrition. [2]

    Researchers looked at 28 studies in both humans and animals. They found that women who ate about ten plums a day for a year improved bone mineral density in the forearm and lower back. They also found that eating just 5 to 10 plums per day for six months prevented loss of bone mineral density and reduced bone resorption.

    Plums help reduce bone loss because they are high in polyphenols. These are powerful antioxidants. Other fruits are also rich in polyphenols, including apples, blackberries, cherries, grapes, pears, pomegranates, raspberries and strawberries. [3]

    More antioxidants than any other fruit

    Plums also give you a boost of a little-known bone mineral called drill. It ensures that bones do not lose calcium and magnesium. It also helps your body produce and use vitamin D, which is crucial for bone formation.

    And of course, prunes have additional benefits for your colon and help you stay regular. Studies show they improve your gut microbiota (bacteria) and may help reduce your risk of colon cancer.[4]

    Low glycemic index

    If you’re worried about getting too much sugar from dried fruit, plums are still a good choice. One serving of about 60 grams or 6 plums is only 29 on the glycemic index. [5]

    Everything below 55 is considered low. That means they won’t give you a sugar rush thanks to their high fiber content. Just make sure that the plums you buy do not contain added sugars.

    Skelly and I are always looking for easy ways to sneak a little spice into our day. We like to chop up a few plums and throw them on our morning oatmeal. You can also add them to a healthy green smoothie (make sure these are pitted plums) or to your yogurt. Or just grab a few for an on-the-go snack.

    Osteoblasts – Bone building cell

    Last: “Animal and cell studies suggest that prunes and/or their extracts improve bone formation and inhibit bone resorption through their action on cell signaling pathways that influence the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.” [6]

    From my bones to yours,

    Irma Jennings INHC,

    Your holistic bot coach

    [1] JA Cauley et al. “Incidence of Fractures Compared with Cardiovascular Disease and Breast Cancer: The Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study” Osteoporosis Int. 2008; 19(12): 1717–1723.

    [2] Janhavi et al., “The Role of Plums in Modulating Inflammatory Pathways to Improve Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women,” Advances in nutrition, 2022; nmab162, https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmab162

    [3] Jonny Bowden, “The 150 Healthiest Foods in the World, Revised Edition: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Be Eating and Why.”

    [4] Texas A&M AgriLife. “Plum good health benefits.” ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150927120304.htm (accessed February 23, 2022).

    [5] What is the glycemic index of plums? https://www.livestrong.com/article/415499-glycemic-index-of-prunes/ (accessed February 25, 2021).

    [6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28422064/

    Want more bone-loving recipes?

    Below is the link to purchase mine downloadable guide:

    7 Day Meal Plan – Simple Cooking for Bone Health

    With 27 bone-loving recipes, shopping lists, nutrition plan, storage tips, weekly tips and much more.

    A fully clickable download guide to help you navigate through the recipes and all the information in this manual.

    The best $47 dollars you can spend on your bot.

    Below, my team created two plum recipes:

    1 for vegetarians/vegans and the other for animal protein eaters.

    I would appreciate giving these recipes a vote just below the description.

    Depositphotos 302288320 XL

    Tempting Tempeh with Plums

    Plums can help you prevent or delay bone loss. As we age, lower estrogen levels can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. These can increase bone loss and fractures. Plums are rich in minerals, vitamin K, phenolic compounds and dietary fiber. These can all combat oxidative stress and inflammation.

    Find more bone-loving recipes on my Comprehension Bone Health Program (CBHP) waiting list here!

    View all recipes here.

    Preparation time 2 o’clock 30 minutes

    Cooking time 20 minutes

    Total time 50 minutes

    Class Main dish

    kitchen American

    Portions 4

    Calories 119 kcal

    • 2 – 8 Oz Tempeh organic packages

    Marinade

    • 1 cup water
    • 8 plums
    • 1/4 cup syrup Black belt
    • 2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 3 clove garlic minced meat
    • 1 teaspoon thyme dry
    • 1/2 teaspoon ginger ground
    • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon sea ​​salt

    • Make the marinade by combining the water, molasses, prunes, vinegar, mustard, garlic and spices in a high-speed blender.

    • Marinate the tempeh in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

    • Place the marinated tempeh in a glass baking dish.

    • Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes

    Cook once – eat twice


    The nutritional information is calculated automatically and may vary based on the ingredients and products used.

    Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 30GEgg white: 23GFat: 1GSaturated fat: 1GPolyunsaturated fat: 1GMonounsaturated fat: 1GSodium: 636mgPotassium: 487mgFiber: 2GSugar: 23GVitamin A: 183IUVitamin C: 2mgVitamin K: 12µgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mgMagnesium: 64mgPhosphorus: 31mgSelenium: 5µgZinc: 1mg

    Keyword Gluten-free, osteopenia, osteoporosis, vegan, vegetarian

    Depositphotos 21278359 XL

    Powerful pork chops with plums

    Plums can help you prevent or delay bone loss. As we age, lower estrogen levels can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. These can increase bone loss and fractures. Plums are rich in minerals, vitamin K, phenolic compounds and dietary fiber. These can all combat oxidative stress and inflammation.

    Find more bone-loving recipes on my Comprehension Bone Health Program (CBHP) waiting list here!

    View all recipes here.

    Preparation time 2 o’clock 30 minutes

    Cooking time 15 minutes

    Total time 45 minutes

    Class Dinner, main course

    kitchen American

    Portions 4

    Calories 326 kcal

    • 1 Frying pan

    • 1 Meat thermometer

    • 1 covered bowl

    • 4 pork chops Bone-in pork tenderloins, about 6 oz each

    Marinade

    • 1 cup water
    • 8 plums coarsely chopped
    • 1/4 cup syrup
    • 2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 3 clove garlic minced meat
    • 1 teaspoon sea ​​salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ground
    • 1 teaspoon thyme dry
    • 1/2 teaspoon ginger ground
    • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

    Marinade

    • Using a high-speed blender, combine the water, molasses, prunes, vinegar, mustard, garlic and spices.

    Pork chops

    • Marinate the chops in a covered container in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

    • Remove the pork from the marinade.

    • Heat a frying pan until hot.

    • Place the pork chops in the pan and sear on one side for 3-4 minutes.

    • Place the skillet in the oven and bake.

    • Chops are ready when a meat thermometer registers 140-145 degrees F.

    • Start checking the meat after 6 minutes – check again every minute (best to use the thermometer on the side of the chop).

    • Extra marinade: bring to a low boil, reduce and use as a dressing over the pork.

    Cook once – eat twice

    The nutritional information is calculated automatically and may vary based on the ingredients and products used.

    Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 30GEgg white: 30GFat: 10GSaturated fat: 3GPolyunsaturated fat: 1GMonounsaturated fat: 4GTrans fat: 1GCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 988mgFiber: 2GSugar: 23GVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 2mgVitamin D: 1µgVitamin K: 12µgCalcium: 74mgIron: 2mgMagnesium: 99mgPhosphorus: 333mgSelenium: 50µgZinc: 2mg

    Keyword Gluten free, osteopenia, osteoporosis, pork chops, prunes

    30 Essential Foods for Bone Health

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  • Aurora Spine announces the closure of private placement financing

    Aurora Spine announces the closure of private placement financing

    Carlsbad, California, October 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Spine Corporation (“Aurora Spine” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE: ASG) (OTCQB: ASAPF) is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement of units (“Units”) at gross proceeds of approximately CDN$1.9 million (the “Offering”).

    As a result of the Offering, the Company issued 6,445,939 Units at a price of CDN$0.30 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one warrant to purchase common shares of the Company. Each whole warrant is exercisable at a price of CDN$0.50 per common share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finders’ fees in the aggregate amount of CDN$50,700. PowerOne Capital Markets Limited acted as finder in connection with a portion of the Offering.

    The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering to finance increased working capital resulting from expected growth in sales of several of its new products, including SiLO TFX and Dexa/Apollo, and from ZIP’s continued growth as Aurora adds new direct sales staff.

    The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Offering is subject to final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

    Certain directors of the Company (collectively the “Insiders”) participated in the Offering and as such the Offering may constitute a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”) , but is otherwise exempt from the formal minority interest valuation and approval requirements of MI 61-101 under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 with respect to such Insider participation in the Offer . No special committee has been established in connection with the Offering or the Insiders’ participation in the Offering, and no material contrary position has been expressed or abstained from by any director of the Company in connection therewith. Further details will be included in a material changes report to be submitted by the Company in connection with the completion of the Offering. The Company filed the material change report no more than 21 days prior to the initial closing date of the Offering as the terms of the Offering and the total amount to be invested by the Insiders were only settled shortly before the closing of the Offering. and the Company wished to complete the Offering on an accelerated basis for sound business reasons.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “US Securities Act”) or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to US persons, unless registered under the United States Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

    About Aurora Spine

    Aurora Spine focuses on bringing new solutions to the spine implant market through a range of innovative, minimally invasive, regenerative spine implant technologies. Additional information can be found at www.aurora-spine.com or www.aurorapaincare.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond Aurora Spine’s control, including, without limitation, those set forth under “Risk factors” And “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” in Aurora Spine’s final prospectus (collectively, “forward-looking information”). Forward-looking information in this press release includes information regarding the Offering, the completion of the Offering and the approval of the Offering by the TSX Venture Exchange. Aurora Spine cautions investors in the securities of Aurora Spine of important factors that could cause Aurora Spine’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any statements that express or imply expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes. to differ unilaterally from the statements expressed in such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that the expectations set forth herein will prove to be correct and, accordingly, potential investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

    For more information please contact:

    Aurora Spine Corporation

    Trent Northcutt
    president and director
    (760) 424-2004

    Chad Clouse
    Finance Director
    (760) 424-2004

    www.aurora-spine.com

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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  • August 2023 Schedule — Bone Talk

    August 2023 Schedule — Bone Talk

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    Bone Buddies Virtual Support Group: August 2023 schedule

    Join the Bone Buddies Online Virtual Support Group this August! Weekly sessions cover topics ranging from diet, exercise, treatment and more!

    • Wednesday, August 9 at 5:30 PM CDT: Free practice session

    • Saturday, August 12 at 10am CDT: Presentation on Genetic Influences on Low Bone Density

    • Thursday, August 17 at 2:00 PM CDT: August Healthy Eating Session

    • Saturday, August 19: Practice session at 10am CDT; then 11am CDT review of the presentation on Genetic Influences on Low Bone Density

    • Wednesday, August 23 at 5:30 PM CDT: Review of the presentation on Genetic Influences on Low Bone Density

    • Saturday, August 26: Practice session at 10am CDT; then at 11am CDT Open Forum/Best Practices

    If you would like to join one of the sessions, please email Elaine Henderson at eshenderson214@gmail.com for the Zoom links. Feel free to share the meeting information with others who may be interested in attending!

    About Bone Buddies

    The Bone Buddies virtual online support group is open to everyone and typically meets on the second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. Central Time on Zoom. On weeks when there is no support group meeting, the group usually meets on Zoom on all other Saturdays at 10 a.m. Central Time for free practice sessions.

    A discussion about healthy eating also takes place every third Thursday at 2:00 PM Central Time on Zoom. You can submit questions to a registered dietitian. She will then receive an overview of the questions. She will also answer your questions if you attend the meeting.

    Group meetings are a fun, relaxing way to learn new information about bone health and managing osteoporosis. It can also be a great way to meet others dealing with low bone density.

    Send an email to Elaine Henderson at eshenderson214@gmail.com for the Zoom links. Feel free to share the meeting information with others who may be interested in attending!

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  • College athletes experience worse outcomes after injury due to concussions suffered outside of sport

    College athletes experience worse outcomes after injury due to concussions suffered outside of sport

    Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that college athletes had worse outcomes after injury due to concussions suffered outside of sports than those they experienced while playing sports. In addition, female athletes who sustained their injuries outside of exercise had more severe symptoms and more sports days lost due to injuries than male athletes. These findings suggest the need for improved recognition, reporting, and monitoring of concussions outside of sport.

    The study was recently published online by the Journal of Athletic Training.

    Concussions can affect the daily functioning and quality of life of those who sustain them. Prompt recognition of symptoms and early access to care can help minimize these effects. Most concussion research has focused primarily on injuries that occur during sports, but those studies often exclude concussions that can occur outside of sports, usually due to falls or car accidents. Some studies have shown that patients with non-sports-related concussions have worse outcomes, but research on these effects in college-age patients is very limited.

    “Patients who experience a concussion outside of sport may lack the resources that athletes who sustain their injury on the field have for concussion care, such as immediate access to health care providers such as athletic trainers,” said first author Patricia Roby, PhD, one of the researchers. injury scientist who conducted this study while she was a postdoctoral researcher at CHOP.

    To help address this gap in knowledge, researchers analyzed data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium. A total of 3,500 college athletes participated in the study, including 555 who had suffered a non-sports-related concussion. More than 40% of participating athletes were female, allowing potential differences in recovery between men and women to be explored.

    The study found that athletes who had suffered non-sports related concussions were less likely to report their injuries immediately, possibly due to a lack of recognition of the symptoms outside the sporting environment or a hesitation to report the injury caused by unusual or careless mechanisms . Athletes who suffered non-sports-related concussions reported greater severity of their symptoms, more days with symptoms, and more days of sport lost due to injuries compared to patients who suffered sport-related concussions, and these findings were even more true in female patients compared with male patients.

    “Our findings demonstrate that non-athletic mechanisms of concussion injury are an important consideration in college-age young adults, something we had already described in our study in younger children. There is an opportunity to improve clinical outcomes by raising awareness and increasing concussion education. That happens outside of sports and also reduces barriers to healthcare reporting in this older age group,” said senior study author Christina L. Master, MD, clinical director of the Minds Matter Concussion Program at CHOP. “Additionally, our findings regarding gender differences in the trajectory of these injuries require additional research to see the extent to which reporting behavior and access to medical teams contribute to this disparity in outcomes.”

    This study was supported by the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health, grants R01NS097549 and T32NS043126, and the Grand Alliance Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium, funded in part by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. NCAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD). This work was also supported by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Health Affairs, through the Combat Casualty Care Research Program, endorsed by the Department of Defense, through the Joint Program Committee 6/Combat Casualty Care Research Program – Psychological Health and Program for traumatic brain injury under award number W81XWH1420151.

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  • August 2023 — Bone Talk

    August 2023 — Bone Talk

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    As team captain of Be Bone Strong™, Barbara Hannah Grufferman, a nationally recognized positive living advocate, award-winning author and avid marathoner, will provide guidance and support to the team. To date, Barbara has run fourteen marathons and countless half marathons and other smaller races, all since she turned 50. She is passionate about motivating people to exercise more, and encourages everyone to focus on their bone health to age better. . Barbara also serves as a BHOF Trustee and Bone Health Ambassador.

    Jill Pompi has worked in public education for more than thirty years, teaching master’s degrees in education and consulting for school districts across the country. When Jill reached her forties, she began registering for local races. She ran many 5K, 10K and half marathons (both local and destination races) in her 40s, and when she turned 50 she set a goal of running a full marathon. Jill has run 8 marathons and is excited to be running the New York Marathon for the first time in November, and even more excited that she is running for a good cause!

    About steps for strong bones

    To keep you on track and motivated, BHOF hosts monthly Zoom meetings at noon ET on the first Monday of each month. This is an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and share your progress. You will also have the opportunity to listen to motivational speakers and talk about your experiences with motivating you to exercise. If you would like to participate (once or multiple times), click here to register and we will be sure to send you the link to the Zoom meeting every month. Join us when you can!

    NOTE: Due to Labor Day, the next Steps for Strong Bones program will take place on Monday, September 11 at noon ET.

    And if you are already motivated and moving forward on your own, consider becoming a member BHOF’s Be Bone Strong™ team to raise money to support their mission. It’s a great way to give back while doing activities you probably already enjoy in your area.

    Remember: stay strong and get enough weight-bearing exercise is crucial for the health of your bones. So commit to moving more this year and join us on our journey to Steps to Strong Bones™!

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  • What is a patient-reported outcome measure or PROM and the KOOS?

    What is a patient-reported outcome measure or PROM and the KOOS?

    Image by FatCamera from Canva Pro

    Are you recovering from a knee injury or knee surgery and are you asked to complete a questionnaire, the so-called Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)? This blog highlights the purpose of these questionnaires and explains what the KOOS is and how it is relevant to you and your recovery process. The first part discusses the purpose of these questionnaires in general and why you should care about them. The second part looks specifically at the KOOS and explains who it is designed for, what it measures, how it is scored, what it tells you about your knee and how it is relevant to you.

    Why should I give feedback and are there any benefits for me?

    Do you ever wonder why smartphones keep getting bigger or why your favorite website keeps changing its homepage? Well, it all comes from asking people what they want and then incorporating some or all of this feedback into the design of products and services.

    For example, if you use our Curovate app for your knee replacement, ACL injury, or surgery recovery or hip replacement recovery, you’ve probably seen this one!

    Curovate 1
    Curovate app review screenshots. Curovate is a physiotherapy app for knee replacement, ACL injury or surgery, knee osteoarthritis and video-guided hip replacement recovery.

    The purpose of this is to understand how you experience the app so we can make changes to improve your recovery at home after surgery and injury. You may think, “If the product works, I’ll be happy with the results,” or “giving feedback only helps the makers and doesn’t help me,” but that’s not the case. For example, a water bottle may be advertised as the perfect insulated bottle that can keep liquids cold for 42 hours. Even if you love the insulated feature of the bottle, you may not buy it because you simply hate the look or because the design of the bottle makes it impractical to carry around. By giving your feedback you not only help the creator of the product, but you also help create something for yourself.

    What is a patient reported outcome measure or PROM and why should I worry about it?

    The same concept of feedback is important in healthcare. For example, if you are a weightlifter recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery, there are a few important factors to consider as it relates to your recovery. First, you want to be sure that the surgery was successful in repairing your ACL. Secondly, as a weightlifter you also want to be sure that you can continue to lift heavy weights and do what you love.

    To measure both aspects and determine the effectiveness of the treatment, two different outcome measures are used. Objective physician-based outcome measures (CBOMs) typically include clinical data such as range of motion, knee laxity, or knee strength, which are objectively collected by your healthcare provider.[1] CBOMs can be useful in determining whether your ACL reconstruction surgery is successful from a clinical perspective.

    Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), on the other hand, allow you to report your symptoms, your level of disability, and your health-related quality of life, all from your perspective.[2] So PROMs can be used to let your doctor know about any limitations you may be experiencing that may be hindering your ability to lift weights. PROMs can also help you better understand whether you are making progress while recovering from injury or surgery.

    Although CBOMs are defined by a standardized outcome from a physician’s perspective,[3] PROMs are intended to help you achieve the outcome you want by allowing you to report symptoms that are most relevant to you and your lifestyle.[4]

    What exactly is the KOOS, who is it intended for and what does it require?

    Since different conditions require different treatments, there are therefore also specific outcome measures to assess a specific treatment. A reliable and valid PROM, specialized for people with various knee conditions, including ACL injuries, ACL surgery, meniscal injuries, focal cartilage lesions, knee osteoarthritis, knee replacement and various other knee conditions, is the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). .[5][6] The KOOS is used by people in their twenties to people in their eighties.[6] The KOOS is a self-reported questionnaire that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. You will be asked to complete the questionnaire once before the treatment or surgery begins, and again after the treatment or surgery has taken place.[5]

    In terms of questions, the KOOS assesses five of the following dimensions: pain (nine items); symptoms (seven items); activities of daily living (17 items); sports and recreational function (five items); and knee-related quality of life (four items).[5] For reference, here is an example of the entire KOOS questionnaire.[5]

    How is the KOOS scored?

    Each item on the KOOS is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with 0 representing the least severe and 4 the most severe.[4] A 5-point Likert scale allows you to show how strongly you feel about a particular question and gives you five options from which to select the one that best represents how you feel.[7] An example question from the symptom dimension of the KOOS and the 5-point Likert scale can be found in the image below:

    Screenshot 110 1
    KOOS question #1 relates to a person’s symptoms. The Likert scale shown above provides options to rate your symptoms from ‘Never’ to ‘Always’.

    Each answer is associated with a score and each item score is then summed to give a total for that specific dimension. For example, the scores of all nine items from the pain dimension are summed to give a total score for pain. The total scores for each of the five dimensions are then converted to a scale of 0-100, with zero representing extreme knee problems and 100 no knee problems.[5]

    What does the KOOS tell me about my knee and why is this important for me and my recovery process?

    A KOOS is usually performed after an injury, after treatment, before surgery and after surgery. The KOOS can provide insight into the course of your knee injury or knee surgery and also allows healthcare providers to monitor the effect of the treatment over time.[8] It is important and necessary to have tests that can measure both short- and long-term outcomes, as traumatic knee injuries often result in damage to multiple structures such as ligaments, menisci, or cartilage.[8] and can ultimately lead to knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling and limitations in joint function.[9] Given its ability to monitor both short- and long-term effects, the KOOS is therefore an effective tool to measure improvements or identify deterioration over time for people recovering from traumatic knee injuries.

    As a person who has had a knee injury or surgery, it is valuable to compare your own KOOS scores with other people who have had a similar injury or surgery. Doing this can help you determine your level of functioning, progress, and limitations at any given time compared to others who have undergone the same injury or surgery.[10] In part 2 of the KOOS blog we discuss normative values ​​for the KOOS and how to interpret these scores so you can compare your progress and understand what normal progress is.

    Conclusion

    A PROM is a patient-reported outcome measure. Typically, people complete these questionnaires after the injury, before surgery, after treatment, after surgery, and when they have completed treatment or rehabilitation. These questionnaires provide some insight into how the person is doing and can show progress or lack of progress. PROMs are important for you and your healthcare provider to better understand your current capabilities and limitations. One such PROM is called the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score or KOOS. The KOOS asks various questions about pain (nine items); symptoms (seven items); activities of daily living (17 items); sports and recreational function (five items); and knee-related quality of life (four items). The KOOS only take 10 minutes and can provide a lot of insight into how your knee is doing. Read the blog above for more information about PROMs and the KOOS. Stay tuned for our second part of the KOOS blog, which will provide normal values ​​for various knee injuries and surgeries.

    If you have had a knee injury or surgery, try our Curovate app for your daily recovery. Curovate offers video-guided daily exercises, progress tracking, the ability to measure the range of motion of your knee and hip, and the ability to complete the KOOS outcome measurement, all within the app.

    If you need more tailored help during your surgery or recovery from your injury, check out our Virtual Physiotherapy page to book your 1-on-1 video session with a physiotherapist.

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  • COVID-19 increases the risk of autoimmune diseases

    COVID-19 increases the risk of autoimmune diseases

    From a recent study published in JAMA network openedresearchers analyzed the incidence and risk of autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

    ImageForNews 761174 16969009566415654 Study: Autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders after COVID-19. Image credits: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com

    COVID-19 and autoimmunity

    The causative agent of COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can trigger autoimmune reactions and, as a result, contribute to autoimmunity. In fact, several studies have described the development of vitiligo, alopecia areata, vasculitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after recovery from COVID-19.

    Respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes after COVID-19 have been extensively evaluated due to the potential role of SARS-CoV-2 in heart failure. Similarly, similarities have been reported between autoimmune diseases and COVID-19; However, autoimmune diseases have not been extensively investigated as post-acute consequences of COVID-19.

    About the study

    In the current study, researchers evaluate the risk and incidence of various autoinflammatory and autoimmune connective tissue disorders after recovery from COVID-19. To this end, data from the Korean COVID-19 National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) registry were collected for people with a COVID-19 diagnosis and general health assessment from October 8, 2020 to December 31, 2021.

    Individuals who underwent a general health examination and were not diagnosed with COVID-19 were identified as a control group. All study participants were followed until outcome diagnosis, death, emigration, or study end date. The risk and incidence of autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases were estimated in study participants without these conditions before COVID-19.

    The occurrence of these disorders was defined as having three or more medical visits with associated clinical diagnosis codes. Cardiovascular outcomes reported to be associated with COVID-19 were positive control outcomes, while outcomes less likely to be associated with COVID-19 were negative control outcomes.

    Demographics, lifestyle factors, socio-economic status and comorbidity data were obtained from the NHIS database. Propensity scores and inverse probability weights were also estimated.

    Risk of outcomes was assessed for COVID-19 and control cohorts. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed, with adjustments for covariates. Subgroup analyzes were conducted based on gender, age, COVID-19 severity, and vaccination status.

    Findings of the study

    The study included 354,527 and 6.13 million individuals with and without COVID-19, respectively, with well-balanced covariates. The mean follow-up duration was 119.7 days for the COVID-19 cohort and 121.4 days for the control group.

    The COVID-19 cohort had a significantly higher risk of Crohn’s disease, sarcoidosis, alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, while the risk of SLE was lower.

    The overdetection bias was minimal in the COVID-19 cohort. Women in the COVID-19 cohort were at greater risk of subsequently developing vitiligo, Crohn’s disease, sarcoidosis, alopecia totalis, alopecia areata, and ANCA-associated vasculitis.

    By comparison, men in the COVID-19 cohort were at greater risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis, systemic sclerosis, adult-onset Still’s disease, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and alopecia totalis. The risks of ANCA-associated vasculitis and alopecia totalis were much higher in those aged 40 years or older.

    The risks of sarcoidosis, adult-onset Still’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease were also higher in people under 40. The overall risk of incidents increased as the severity of COVID-19 increases.

    Unvaccinated individuals were at greater risk of developing Crohn’s disease, alopecia totalis, alopecia areata, and positive control results. This additional risk of positive control results and autoimmune diseases was not identified in vaccinated individuals.

    In sensitivity analyses, the researchers compared demographic and clinical data between individuals with a general health examination and those without. The group studied consisted mainly of adults, as the health research focuses on workers and households. Both groups showed similar COVID-19 positivity rates; however, more examined individuals were vaccinated than unexamined individuals.

    Conclusions

    The current study compared the risks of autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases in individuals with a history of COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 controls. These risk estimates in the predominantly Asian sample were likely lower than in other ethnic groups, which may be due to delayed disease development/progression.

    Some limitations of the current study include the primarily adult population and the fact that the sample consisted entirely of Asians, limiting the generalizability of these findings to other ethnic groups and adolescents/children. In addition, the researchers were unable to determine whether some individuals were more susceptible to autoimmunity than others.

    Overall, the study’s findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with autoimmune diseases. Thus, long-term management of COVID-19 patients should also include autoimmunity assessments.

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