For Tom Baltes, a love of cycling runs in his family. Unfortunately, arthritis does, too. Tom has osteoarthritis (OA) in his left knee and lower spine. His brother has OA as well and has had two hip replacements. Two of his other siblings have also been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Arthritis includes more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint, and other connective tissue. Each type of arthritis has a different set of unique signs and symptoms. However, nearly all types of arthritis are marked by joint pain, stiffness and swelling, along with loss of flexibility and range of motion.
The fall newsletter features stories about a two-wheeled trek across the U.S. to raise arthritis awareness; black patients missing out on promising new cancer drugs; how telemedicine could fill in the gaps on abortion care; the approaching Silver Tsunami; and why some C-sections are a necessary risk.