NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older Americans are increasingly complaining of aching knees, and getting those knees replaced, even though X-ray evidence of knee arthritis is not on the rise, a new study finds. Since the 1970s and 1980s, the percentage of older Americans reporting chronic knee pain has risen as much as three-fold -- both among people with visible signs of arthritic joints and those ...

Smoking is bad for your health, but also bad for your hips? A new study from down under Australia has found that men who smoke are less likely than nonsmokers to require total hip or knee replacement. Who knew. The researchers also found that being overweight or doing vigorous physical activity actually increased the likelihood of joint replacement. George Mnatzaganian, a Ph.D. student stated ...

David Butler, MD, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in arthritis and hip and knee replacement, has opened an office in Orland Park, Illinois, minutes from Chicago. Butler Orthopaedics has convenient hours six days a week, and offers expert bone and joint care, with x-rays, CT scans and physical therapy available under one roof.

SATURDAY, Aug. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Protecting your knees when you're younger may help prevent serious problems such as arthritis and the need for knee replacement when you're older, an expert advises.