Contact:
Jim Moody@ 404 679-5320 through 11/6/97
- from 11/7-11/11/97@ 202 371-4510, fax# 202 371-4511, [email protected]; or Rob Logan @ 573 882-4714.

New research on ameliorating arthritis through exercise and a new technique to replace cartilage in arthritic knees will be presented at the National Press Club main lounge on Monday, Nov. 10, 8:30-11 am.

The papers feature: British research on strengthening disabled knees; U.S. research on therapeutic exercise; a successful, Canadian, community physical therapy initiative and the first results of a polymer-injected cartilage replacement for persons with osteoarthritic knees.

The papers represent the most interesting findings submitted to the 1997 American College of Rheumatology/ Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP) meeting, which is in Washington, D.C. at the same time. ACR and ARHP are the professional organizations for physicians and health professionals who share a dedication to healing, preventing disability and curing arthritis and related disorders of the joints, muscles and bones.

The news conference is co-sponsored by ACR and the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC). MARRTC is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research within the U.S. Department of Education.

This is the fourth National Press Club Seminar which introduces leading researchers on arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases to the press. The National Press Club is located at 14th & F Streets NW in downtown Washington, D.C.

Dr. William J. Koopman, M.D., ACR President, will provide introductory remarks regarding the public understanding of arthritis.

These papers are tentatively scheduled:

* The Effects of Quadriceps Strengthening Exercises on Pain and Disability from Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Sheila O'Reily, K. Muir and M. Doherty, Rheumatology Unit, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK, Dept. Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK,

* Physical Activity, Fitness and Rheumatic Disease. Marian Minor, D.R. Kay, J. Johnson, G. Reddy and J. Hewitt, University of Missouri-Columbia.

* Improvements Following Short Term Community-based Physical Therapy Are Maintained at One Year in People With Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sydney Lineker, Mary J. Bell, A.L. Wilkins, L.S. Maguire. E.M. Badley, Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit, University of Toronto, Canada.

* Minimally Invasive Joint Resurfacing With a Flowable Polymer: Preliminary Mechanical and Biocompatibility Testing. Jeffrey C. Felt, R. Zdrahala, W. Arnold, L.Engebretsen, Minnetonka, MN.

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