KUSA - Dr. John Torres from Premier Urgent Care answers your questions every week. If you have a medical question for Dr. John, send it to mornings@9news.com and make sure to have Ask Dr. John in the subject line.
Question #1
Approximately 3 weeks ago, my Mom's knee started hurting, and continues to hurt. She is 98 years old, and is on Coumadin. She has a nurse who comes here to the house, and Mom ask her if she could take Osteo Bi Flex, which Mom felt would strengthen her knee. Her nurse said no, as it would conflict with the Coumadin. Do you agree with that? I am guessing that she either sprained her knee, or possibly pulled a muscle. Thank you, Carol
Answer
The supplement Osteo Bi Flex contains the ingredients glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements have been used to help alleviate joint pain and possibly have some benefit in helping with long term chronic pain. However, they do not do much for pain that has recently shown up, especially if the pain is trauma related, like a joint sprain or muscle ache. And like most supplements and medicines, Osteo Bi Flex can interfere with other medications, including Coumadin. Both glucosamine and chondroitin can increase the levels of Coumadin in the body and possible lead to more bleeding problems. So those taking Coumadin need to exercise caution when taking this supplement. But for joint and extremity pain this supplement probably wouldn't do much to help out. Instead using the old standards of rest, ice and elevations, along with compression in the form of an ace type wrap would probably offer some relief while the body is healing itself.
Question #2
I have complete claudication in both of my legs. I have had a Fem/Fem surgery. I have been to vascular surgeons (more than one) and they state there is nothing they can do about it. My primary care Doctor says, things have changed and there are ways they can do something. I would give anything to be able to walk a great distance or run for a block or so but I can't.
Answer
The word claudication comes from the Latin word meaning "to limp". It comes about because of a lack of blood flow to the legs which causes pain and weakness, especially with exercise or exertion. A Fem/Fem is a type of surgery that tries to take blood supply from the artery in one leg, known as the Femoral artery, to the Femoral artery in the other leg. The idea is to increase the blood supply to the bad leg to help eliminate claudication issues. This surgery doesn't always work as well as most would like but other methods can be used to try and return good circulation to the legs. These include other techniques that can redirect the blood supply as well as certain medications that can also help.
Question #3
I have osteoarthritis in my right hand. Use results in painful wrist,
thumb and first finger. Might I benefit from a wrist brace and/or some kind of topical cream? Marje
Answer
Osteoarthritis of a joint comes about mainly because of the use of that joint over the years. The joint becomes worn down which can lead to chronic pain. The first step in managing this pain is to use rest and ice or warmth, whichever feels better. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naprosyn can help as well. Physical therapy can also improve the pain and mobility of an affected joint. And since rest is an important part of the recovery process, using a brace can help rest the affected joint which can supply some relief but you must remember to take the affected wrist, thumb and finger out of the brace from time to time and move them around so they won't get too stiff on you.
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