Treatment of Chronic Joint Disease

A Utah orthopedic surgeon, Thomas Rosenberg, is a well-known inventor of widely used orthopedic devices, but his passion is long distance running.  15 years ago he developed knee pain which limited his running. X-rays and MRI confirmed degenerative changes with joint space narrowing and bony spurs. Rosenberg wondered if diet was a possible cause since it has been well shown to precipitate chronic inflammation and disease elsewhere in the body. He switched to a whole food plant based diet and his symptoms gradually abated even though he continued running. Over the years his radiographic changes have remained stable- his joint disease is not progressing, and his nutritious anti-inflammatory diet eliminated his pain.

Since then Dr. Rosenberg has advocated dietary change to all his patients and has started an organization, Plant-Based Utah, to spread the word about the miraculous effects of diet for most chronic diseases including chronic spine and joint disease.

Some of his patients listened and changed eating habits. In a recent presentation he showed images and videos of dramatic improvement. As chronic inflammation subsided and blood flow improved with a healthy diet, CRP, blood sugar and cholesterol dropped; MRI evidence of bony metaphyseal inflammation disappeared. Patients with severe pain associated with bone-on-bone arthritis (evidence of no remaining protective cartilage) often became asymptomatic. Those who required joint replacement healed faster and better. Chronic osteoarthritis can still occur after injury or severe malalignment but most can be prevented by a healthy diet. Symptoms are often improved or eliminated.

Rosenberg recognized that carpal tunnel syndrome is also associated with chronic inflammatory changes leading him to try diet change in these patients. They got better without surgery!

He uses the carotenoid index to demonstrate to patients how low their intake of healthy foods is, and he finds it helps to convince them to eat whole plant foods. He also notes that, unfortunately, obese patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery can no longer raise their carotenoid index after switching to a healthy diet. In addition to lowering calorie absorption, this surgery also blocks absorption of critical vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients.

Healthy bones and joints are totally dependent on a nutritious diet which gives them a good blood supply and protection from chronic inflammation. In addition, regular load bearing exercise and an adequate intake of vitamins D, K and C plus calcium and magnesium are critical. Vegans typically have excellent blood supply and low chronic inflammation as shown by low CRP levels, but not uncommonly they have weak bones due lack of exercise or one or more critical vitamins or minerals.