Take Me To Post Comment Form Osteoarthritis has reached epidemic proportions. One in every two seniors are now at risk of developing arthritis of their knees. Last year there were over half a million knee and hip replacements.

Since it’s generally believed that there is no known cause or cure (other than age and excessive weight), a physician’s goal is to keep you pain free and active. And at times, pain medication is essential and all that can really be offered; without it, many simply couldn’t function. In such cases, it’s wonderful that these drugs are available. But as pharmacy school taught me, if and when there is a choice, the less medication you take the better. Remember that anything you put into your body that isn’t supposed to be there has risks. And even if the risks are one in a thousand, they’re 100% if they happen to you!

Certainly, these risks are greatest with prescription drugs. The fact is that if they were as safe as we’re often led to believe, we wouldn’t need a signed document (prescription) that only a licensed physician can write, to purchase them. If you took a moment to read the precautionary information that accompanies these drugs, you would be much more reluctant to take them. But there can be serious complications with over-the-counter, non-prescription medications as well, and this is validated by an overwhelming amount of studies.

Despite this, there are over 13 million Americans taking anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil, Motrin and Aleve, that results in 16,500 deaths each year. And as I’ve mentioned, the prescription drugs for arthritis have even greater dangers associated with them. In some cases, drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex have also been shown to actually make your arthritis worse! And unfortunately, you can’t always depend upon the validity of research studies, many of which are sponsored by the drug companies who make and sell these drugs.

Although it is commonly accepted that osteoarthritis has no known cause or cure, it does. Abnormal friction and pressure wears away joints in the same way that poorly aligned tires wear abnormally and prematurely. You don’t simply get pain in your knee or hip because you reached a certain age.

Having yourself structurally evaluated to eliminate simple things like a longer leg or flattened foot (examples of the real structural causes of osteoarthritis) can go a long way in saving your joints and helping you avoid drugs that can indeed have serious implications.


A former reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon and past Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Emory, Dr. Pack practices at MCG in Greensboro. He works with patients who have arthritis and wish to decrease joint symptoms and remain active without medication or surgery. Dr. Pack also treats athletes at all levels. In the 2004 Olympics he had a silver and gold medalist, and helped the UGA Golf Team (2005 NCCA National Champions). For further information please see www.drloupack.com, drloupack.blogspot.com or contact him directly at 706-454-0040.