Your Health : Chiropractic
Research
Living with Osteoarthritis
For decades, osteoarthritis has been considered
a part of aging. But not anymore. Recent research points out that older
people don’t have to suffer from
osteoarthritic pain. And, surprisingly, people much younger than 65 can develop
osteoarthritis.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, affects more than
20 million Americans and is more common in women than in men. The
disease affects the cartilage—slippery tissue on the ends of
bones that meet in a joint. Normally, cartilage helps bones glide
over one another. In an OA patient, however, the cartilage is broken
down and eventually wears away.
As a result, instead of gliding, bones rub against each other, causing
pain, swelling, and loss of motion.1 Although the majority of patients
with OA are 65 and older, recent research shows that osteoarthritis
is not a by-product of aging. Family history of OA, being overweight,
lack of exercise, and prior joint injuries are suggested as OA risk
factors.
How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
OA is diagnosed through a combination of clinical history, patient
examination, and x-rays. Other tests, such as drawing fluid from
the joint, are sometimes used.
The signs of OA include:
- Steady or intermittent joint pain
- Joint stiffness after sitting, sleeping, or otherwise not moving
for a long time
- Swelling or tenderness in the joints
- A crunching feeling or the sound of bones rubbing against each
other.
If you experience any of these signs, consult your health care provider.
While the diagnosis is relatively easy to make, it is often harder
to establish whether or not OA causes the patient’s symptoms.
That’s why the treating doctor needs to not only make the diagnosis,
but also rule out other disorders and conditions that can make the
symptoms worse.1 Timely diagnosis and treatment can help manage pain,
improve function, and slow the degeneration.
Should Osteoarthritis Patients Exercise?
Exercise is one of the best forms of OA treatment— and prevention.
It strengthens the muscular support around the joints and improves
and maintains joint mobility and function. In addition, exercise helps
control weight and improves the patient’s mood and outlook— important
factors influencing the severity of the symptoms.
If you suffer from OA, consider the following exercise tips:
- Low-impact or non-weight-bearing activities, such as walking, stationary
training, and light weight training work best for OA patients.
- Use strengthening exercises if the key muscle groups that relate
to the function of the joints are weakened by the degeneration.
- If you are overweight, start exercising carefully, so as not to
put too much stress on the knee and ankle joints.
- Stair climbing, water aerobics, Theraband workouts, and similar
exercises will help to keep the joints mobile without straining them.
- Learn to read the body’s signals and know when to stop, slow
down, or rest.
How Can Your Chiropractor Help?
Doctors of chiropractic, by the nature of their work, can detect the
earliest degenerative changes in the joints. They see the impact
of degenerative changes in the spine, as well as in the hips, knees,
and other weight-bearing joints. Doctors of chiropractic are also
trained to relieve the pain and improve joint function through natural
therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation, trigger-point therapy,
or some massage techniques.
Doctors of chiropractic can provide exercise counseling, helping you
choose exercises that are best for you. If a sore or swollen joint
prevents you from exercising, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about
other drug-free pain-relief options, such as applying heat or cold
to the affected area. In addition, your doctor of chiropractic can
help you choose proper supplements that play important roles in OA
prevention and treatment.
References
1. Osteoarthritis: Handout on Health. National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. July 2002.
