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Currently, an estimated 27 million people suffer from me osteoarthritis (OA), making it one of the most common causes of disability in the U.S. It is estimated by the year 2030, 72 million Americans will be at high risk for osteoarthritis. Patients with chronic joint pain often think their only option is surgery; however, there are less invasive approaches to relieving osteoarthritis pain and avoiding surgery all together.
Your Knees
Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common forms of OA. Walking, standing and exercising put a lot of strain on our knees. For example, a person that weighs 150 lbs. walking up a flight of stairs will put approximately 500lbs of pressure on their knees with each step. Not only is the knee the most intricate of all the joints in the body, it is also the most susceptible to arthritis. There are multiple types of arthritis that affect the knees, but osteoarthritis is by far the number one type that surpasses all others.
What is Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee?
Cushioned in between the 3 bones of the knee (the femur, tibia and patella) is an articular cartilage, which acts a shock absorber. This cartilage is smooth and susceptible to much wear and tear, and once this starts to happen, the cartilage literally begins to break down and wear away. This can cause soreness, swelling and stiffness, and it is the beginning stages of osteoarthritis, or bone rubbing against bone, which in turn causes bone spurs and a great deal of discomfort.
Osteoarthritis develops slowly and the pain becomes worse with time. This type of arthritis is also known as degenerative because it is often associated with the aging process. But consequently, it can also affect younger people too. The pain can be debilitating and interfere with daily activities, affect your ability to work, and create limited range of motion in your life.
Common causes of osteoarthritis
• Joint misalignment or postural in balance of
• Trauma
• Repetitive strain or overuse
• Abnormal gait pattern
• Age
• Previous injury
• Overweight
• Improper joint alignment
With osteoarthritis the cartilage breaks down and wears away leaving the bones to rub together causing pain, swelling, and stiffness, and limited range of motion in affected joints. If you’ve been suffering from constant or intermittent pain that just won’t go away no matter how much ibuprofen you take—there is another option.
Advances in New Treatment Options & Clinical Trials:
Pharmaceutical companies are consistently researching new promising medications and treatment options to slow the progression of diseases and conditions such as OA and to find a cure.
One of Tampa Bay’s leading medical research organizations works closely with pharmaceutical companies to bring new options to the market sooner through experienced research at Stedman Clinical Trials. Dr. Stedman has been working in research since 1997. Her extensive 21 years of industry and research experience and knowledge are what attribute to her successful clinical trials. At Stedman Clinical Trials, they treat patients for various conditions and disorders.
Stedman Clinical Trials partners with virtually every pharmaceutical company involved in research. These partnerships allow them to offer their participants a broad-study selection, in an effort to meet the needs of as many patients as possible.
Mary Stedman, M.D.
Dr. Stedman holds her M.D. from USF, and her degree in pharmacy from the University of Florida; this combined education experience gives her more in-depth pharmacological insights and a better understanding of drug mechanisms. Taking her clinical research experience and combining it with her extensive pharmaceutical knowledge, she has developed one of the region’s most respected clinical research sites.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in a trial, Stedman Clinical Trials has ongoing studies that are class specific. To find out if you are eligible, please contact them directly, or take their survey online. Along with osteoarthritis, Stedman Clinical Trials offers several studies based on various other health conditions.
To find out more please call 813-971-8311, or visit StedmanClinical.com
Stedman Clinical Trials
813-971-8311
stedmanclinical.com
14506 University Point Place
Tampa, FL, 33613