A condition which affects many of us in later life (especially after the age of 50), Osteoarthritis is no fun. It causes stiffness, pain and swelling. Sometimes it can be so bad we can’t continue with our hobbies or work commitments.
But thankfully, there are ways we can learn to manage it and prevent the pain from becoming too much.
First up, for those who haven’t experienced the condition, or have recently been diagnosed with it, osteoarthritis is when the cushioning tissues at the end of the bones within joints start to break down. Risk factors for the condition include being overweight and repetitive movement of the joint (such as typing or kneeling constantly). Areas most affected tend to be the hands, neck, knees, lower back, hips and feet.
Osteoarthritis in the hands tends to happen to women after they reach the menopause. It can be hereditary too. The fingers develop knobs at the joints and can be stiff. Osteoarthritis in the knees can cause problems with walking, while in the hips it can cause difficulty bending. In the spine it can cause problems with tingling and numbness.
Managing your osteoarthritis
But now the good news… exercise can help. That’s because it can help increase flexibility around the joints and muscles, making them easier to move. Low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, tai chi and swimming are best.
If you’re overweight then you may notice quite an improvement in your osteoarthritis if you can slim to within your recommended BMI grouping.
If your osteoarthritis becomes so severe that it’s painful and stopping you from enjoying every day activities then you could try taking medication. There are various creams and gels available, while your GP may be able to prescribe a pill. In some cases, it’s possible to inject pain relief into the affected area.
In extreme cases, where the joint damage is severe, then another option could be surgery. This could involve replacing the entire joint, or removing just a small piece of bone to relieve pressure on the joint.
Tips to help manage osteoarthritis
- Perfecting your posture can help. That’s because having good posture relieves stress on particular joints
- Using devices to help with everyday activities, such as opening jars or picking up fallen items from the floor can prove very useful
- A heat pack or cold compress can help with pain management
- It doesn’t do any harm to look in to alternative treatments. Some people receive acupuncture or massage therapy to help with the pain, while others swear by the soothing effects of the Indian spice turmeric
- Make sure you don’t carry too much weight when shopping, gardening etc as this can put strain on joints
- Try to avoid making repetitive movements when baking, sewing, doing housework etc
- Make serious effort to control your blood sugar levels. High glucose levels makes cartilage stiff, while inflammation caused by diabetes weakens bone
- Check out any osteoarthritis support groups near you. No doubt there’ll be people who have discovered great gadgets and pain-relieving remedies they’re keen to share with other sufferers.
Regardless of how painful your condition, there’s always ways you can help yourself to ease it. And there’s certainly plenty of support out there.
