Rheumination

OA OA OA OA...OA...OA

Who knew that hockey fans were so rheumatology crazed. Here is one of their favourite chants, the osteoarthritis song. Sounds like a pharma pep rally.

Rheumatology Hockey Hall of Fame- Gordie Ow!

In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Gordie Howe gives a list of his hockey-related rheumatological ailments.

"Well, I have had both knees replaced,and that has put a damper on playing any more hockey or putting on the skates. My wrists have arthritis, and one I can't bend. My back often bothers me,and lately my left shoulder has a sharp pain. But you ask any hockey player whether it was worth it and they'll all say, Yes"."

Probably true but you've got to wonder just how much Mario Lemieux would pay back to have a pain-free lumbar spine or Lindros to have his cerebral cortex back.

Rheumatology Hockey Hall of Fame- Bobby Orr

The image reads Orr on ice, but Ice on Orr may have been more appropriate. Bobby Orr was in my opinion the greatest hockey player ever, and that says a lot, coming from a Habs fan. Sadly his amazing career came to an early end because of bad knees. I'm not sure if ligament injury was more common then, but surgical repair was surely much less sophisticated. Many of the players of the day have developed severe OA of the knees. Bobby Orr was one of the most famous.

Some days he would do anything to reduce weight bearing, here cleverly disguising this tactic by scoring important goals.

Other attempts were less successful and somewhat more transparent.