Osteoarthritis - What Can You Do?

Most people in their fifties or older will have mild or moderate wear and tear of joints, called osteoarthritis. Joints with mild osteoarthritis can be asymptomatic. Osteoarthritis can manifest as a swelling of the end joints of the fingers, aching in the knees, or pain around the big toes. Mild osteoarthritis does not show on Xray, although will usually be detected on MRI.

Typical symptoms include intermittent pain, worse with activity and better with rest. As the arthritis progresses, there is often a loss of range of motion. For example, if the arthritis is in the knee, the knee might not be able to straighten fully. The joint often swells. Most people do not know how to tell if a joint is swollen, unless the swelling is extreme. A physiotherapist does two tests to determine the amount of swelling in a joint, and these tests can detect less than one teaspoon of fluid. With moderate or advanced osteoarthritis, you probably limp sometimes.

Risk factors for developing arthritis are obesity, prior injury, and family history. The quality of cartilage is determined by a number of genetic factors, and some families tend to develop osteoarthritis earlier than others.

What can be done to prevent osteoarthritis from becoming worse? Lose weight. A reduction in even 5 or 10 pounds helps. Learn to exercise in ways which you enjoy. Even with the most advanced arthritis, it is possible to exercise without pain. One solution is to learn pool exercises. Another is to learn land exercises tailored to your joints. The physiotherapist will assess your joints, strength, and gait, and provide a program to reduce pain and improve function. Studies show that of people with knee osteoarthritis, those with weak quadriceps muscles are seven times more likely to become worse within three years.

If you limp, use a cane or Nordic poles. Using a cane in the left hand reduces the load in the right knee by approximately thirty percent. If you have hip, knee, or foot symptoms, purchase comfortable shoes with good arch support and shock absorption. Running shoes offer more shock absorption than walking shoes. However, comfort and good fit are the most important variables.

Many people ask if the herbal supplement glucosamine helps. Studies show that of people with knee osteoarthritis, glucosamine is no more effective than a placebo pill in reducing knee pain. There is also no evidence that changing your diet helps arthritis pain. However, a healthy diet will optimize your weight, which will then reduce pain. Heat and cold offer temporary pain relief. Ice is best if the joint is warm and swollen.

Many people report that heat, in the form of a microwavable or electric heating pad, helps reduce aching. If you have osteoarthritis, visit your physiotherapist, for a through assessment and to be prescribed an exercise program. It will save you needless pain.