| Risedronate (Actonel) is a drug commonly used to | | | | Osteoporosis. Patients should take the medication at |
| prevent and alleviate osteoporosis symptoms. It is a | | | | least 30 minutes prior to meals, and should maintain |
| bisphosphonate medication that can impede joint | | | | an upright position afterwards for at least 30 minutes. |
| impairment. Research undertaken by the ACR shows | | | | Risedronate has been approved for the prevention |
| that when taken in higher doses, Risedronate can | | | | and treatment of Osteoporosis which has sets in |
| avert the need for surgical joint replacement in | | | | after a prolonged use of corticosteroid drugs like |
| sufferers. | | | | prednisone, triamcinolone, or cortisone. |
| Joint Impairment | | | | Study Results |
| The most common type or arthritis, Osteoarthritis, | | | | Scientists monitored the bone structure in a study of |
| can strike older people and damage the cartilage | | | | the effects of risedronate on Osteoarthritis. The |
| tissue which encases bone ends at the joints. | | | | objective of the study was to assess whether the |
| The cartilage allows smooth movement of bones and | | | | drug could arrest or undo bone deterioration from |
| absorbs the shock of vigorous physical movement. It | | | | cartilage loss, thereby preventing joint collapse. |
| separates the bones from one another for efficient | | | | Two groups of Osteoarthritis patients, a control |
| and effortless movement. | | | | group of 300 and a second group of 100 sufferers |
| Osteoarthritis Of The Knee | | | | were chosen to participate in the study. All |
| Osteoarthritis usually attacks the knees, the body's | | | | participants exhibited narrowing of the joint space |
| main weight support. The disease results in cartilage | | | | due to the disease. The control group took a |
| loss, and shows through in x-rays as a reduction in | | | | placebo, and the experimental group received |
| the joint space. X-rays are normally used to assess | | | | risedronate, each at 5 mg., 15 mg. or 50 mg. doses |
| the extent of osteoarthritis on the joints. | | | | daily. They were then monitored over a two-year |
| Some current studies have determined that the | | | | period. |
| bones lying beneath the cartilage may be | | | | A new computational method utilizing standard |
| osteoporotic. This means that bone loss may occur, | | | | radiographs, analyzed the transformation in the |
| particularly in the trabecular bars supporting the bony | | | | trabecular, or the spongy bone plate underneath the |
| plate underneath the cartilage tissue. Subsequent | | | | cartilage of the knees. These were performed on |
| bone deterioration can cause the joint to collapse, | | | | participants subdivided into groups having an absence |
| making surgery necessary. | | | | of, minimal, or advanced narrowing of the joint space. |
| Risedronate Facts | | | | Results of the Study |
| Risedronate (Actonel) is a bisphosphonate drug | | | | In patients exhibiting extensive narrowing of the joint |
| commonly used to treat Osteoporosis, particularly in | | | | space: |
| the management of postmenopausal Osteoporosis. | | | | - those receiving higher doses of risedronate, up to |
| There are other bisphosphonate drugs available, like: | | | | 15 mg. per day or 50 mg. per week, showed an |
| - alendronate (Fosamax) | | | | arrest and even a retreat of trabecular bone loss. |
| - ibandronate (Boniva) | | | | - those receiving a placebo, or lower doses of 5 mg. |
| Risedronate and the other bisphosphonates work to: | | | | per showed no signs of improvement. |
| - increase bone mass | | | | Patients with no symptoms of joint space narrowing |
| - impede bone deterioration | | | | still incurred moderate bone loss despite treatment. |
| - prevent bone fractures, particularly fractures of the | | | | Conclusions of the Study |
| spine | | | | Given in higher doses, risedronate effects include: |
| The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) reports | | | | - Protection of the trabecular in patients exhibiting |
| that administering 5 mg. of risedronate daily or a | | | | extensive narrowing of the joint space. |
| 35mg dose weekly, complimented with calcium and | | | | - Halts eventual joint collapse and prevents the |
| an 8-ounce glass of water, can avert and treat | | | | necessity of joint replacement surgery. |