Listen Live
St. Jude Radiothon 2024
CLOSE

Multiple studies have shown that African Americans are less likely to receive hip or knee replacements for osteoarthritis than Hispanics or Caucasians. Additional studies have looked at why. The most common reasons being that African Americans were less likely to be familiar with joint replacement surgery, have lower expectations, more concerns about post operative pain and recovery, and less likely to have a friend or family who have had a joint replacement. One particular study also showed that African Americans were more likely to report believing and using prayer to self-treat knee or hip pain. 

Here is what you need to know about osteoarthritis and when you should be expected to be offered a hip or knee replacement by your doctor.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Arthritis is not a single disease but is a way to refer to joint pain or joint disease. Arthritis affects nearly 50 million adults and is the most common cause of disability in the US. There are 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common. Others include rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis, also called “wear and tear arthritis,” occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones within joints gradually wears away. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

CLICK HERE to read story

source: BlackDoctor.org

Leave a Reply