Health Alert: Cardiac Comorbidities Can Worsen Knee Replacement Outcomes. Among a sample of more
than 380,000 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA), researchers observed that those with preexisting
cardiac comorbidities (such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular dysfunction,
and arrhythmia) have an elevated risk for adverse outcomes including a longer hospital stay, heart attack, acute
kidney injury, transfusion, thromboembolic events, and infection. The authors conclude, “As our use of TKA
rises, a lower threshold for preoperative cardiology referral in older individuals and early preoperative
counseling/intervention in those with known cardiac disease may be necessary to reduce adverse outcomes.”
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery, April 2024
Diet: Vitamin C May Benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory
disorder that usually affects the small joints in the hands and feet. A recent animal study found that a vitamin C
supplement given to mice with rheumatoid arthritis stimulated changes in the gut microbiota that led to a
reduction in several inflammatory biomarkers. The findings suggest that vitamin C has a role in the
management of rheumatoid arthritis. Bioscience Trends, April 2024
Exercise: Just an Extra 1,500 Steps a Day… For patients at elevated risk for heart disease, a recent study
found that increasing one’s daily step count by 1,500 steps can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease-related
death by 10%. Circulation, April 2024
Chiropractic: Treating Frozen Shoulder. Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is described as
a painful restriction of the shoulder’s range of motion. Among a group of 20 adhesive capsulitis patients, those
who received a multimodal treatment plan that included specific exercises, heat therapy, and manual
therapies—an approach that patients may encounter in a chiropractic setting—reported significant
improvements with respect to pain, function, and range of motion. Cureus, January 2024
Mental Attitude: Spending Time in Nature Benefits Kids’ Mental Health. Researchers from the Frank
Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina report that the more green space
(parks, trails, and other nature settings) within .75 miles of a young child’s home, the less likely they’ll
experience symptoms of a mood disorder by age five. JAMA Network Open, April 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Even Small Vision Issues Lead to Worse Grades. To underscore the importance of
regular eye exams, a recent study found that children with nearsighted vision that remains uncorrected receive
lower grades than their peers who wear glasses or do not have vision problems. BMC Pediatrics, March 2024
Quote: “Everybody’s gotta learn, nobody’s born knowing.” ~ Harper Lee

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Rio Vista region.