News

Last fall, Pam Ludy, 65, took a trip with her sister to North Carolina. But Pam, who has osteoarthritis in both knees, had a hard time walking.

At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, two WashU Medicine physicians, David Brogan, MD, MSc, and Christopher Dy, MD, MPH, are working on new ways to treat brachial plexus damage, a serious nerve injury. These often occur after major accidents, such as car crashes, and can have a big impact on a person’s ability to use their arm and hand.

Staying active helps maintain joint flexibility and balance, promotes better posture and strengthens bones.

Healthy bones are a critical component of the human body. Proper nutrition, calcium and vitamin D supplements are all excellent ways to improve bone health. Charles Grimshaw, MD, a BJC Medical Group orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at Christian Hospital, says that monitoring for osteoporosis, osteopenia (a condition that occurs when there’s a decrease in bone mineral density) and metabolic deficiencies, like deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D, are proactive approaches for supporting bone health.

Some people think that aches and pains and limited mobility are normal parts of aging or something they simply have to deal with. Often, that’s not the case.

Many people turn to the internet for health advice, but not all is reliable or accurate. That's why it's important to have a primary care physician who knows you and your medical history.

Many people reserve visits to the doctor for times when they’re sick — but if you aren’t proactive about your health, you could be missing out on important preventive care from your physician.

What’s the most common health concern for people over 65?

Communicating with your primary care physician helps you make good health decisions.