Osteoarthritis - if you don't use it, you lose it!
The Burden of Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is when a joint develops degenerative changes, often known as 'wear and tear'. OA is the fastest growing disease globally and is a leading cause of becoming inactive with age.
OA is associated with an increased risk of co-morbidities and reduced quality of life.
Common causes of OA:
- Aging
- Inactivity
- Previous injury/injuries
- Poor joint mechanics and/or poor techniques in sport
- Overuse
- Overweight/obesity
- Family history of OA
- Inadequate diet: low Vitamin D, calcium and vitamin K
Treatment Options:
While OA cannot be reversed, lifestyle and diet changes can maintain good joint health. More importantly, a targeted exercise program will prevent OA from getting worse.
If you are experiencing joint pain from OA, anti-inflammatories and physiotherapy (soft tissue release, stretches etc.) can help to decrease your pain. Once the pain is managed, your physiotherapist can draw up a specific home exercise program for you to carry out on a daily basis.
