Osteoarthritis

How many of our childhood sports heroes are barely able to walk or throw a ball now that they've reached middle age? I've had the privilege of seeing several “aging” former college and professional athletes in my practice and thus submit that the answer to the question is: astoundingly high. Is this simply the price that must be paid for fame and fortune, or can we do something to help? The answer is somewhere in between, and as new technology emerges, we can hopefully do more and more.

Dr. Eric McCarty, Chief of Sports Medicine at the University of Colorado—and a former football player at that school—has accepted the charge of editing this issue of the Clinics in Sports Medicine. He has done an outstanding job, and I think you will agree that he has collected some superb contributions from many well-known sports medicine specialists from around the country. This issue covers the gamut—diagnosis, imaging, oral medications/supplements, arthroscopic procedures, osteotomies, joint replacement, and rehabilitation. Although the issue focuses on the most common joints involved (primarily the knee and shoulder), Dr. McCarty has thought to include other joints as well in his final section.

My hat goes off to Eric for a fine job on this issue. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Perhaps we can have some reprieve from the edict that it's tough to get old, because we're all headed there!