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 improve 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.
Nutritional and Supplemental Approach to Treating Osteoarthritis
For those who would like to try supplements and nutrition as well, they are often found effective.
Glucosamine
and chondroitin sulfate are the two most popular and most researched OA
supplements. When taken over a period of time, they tend to reduce pain
and increase function, especially with knee OA.2 These supplements may also slow progression of the disease.
When taking supplements, remember:
• As with medications, take
the right amount. Studies used 1,500 mg per day of glucosamine and 1,200
mg per day of chondroitin sulfate. If you use a different dosage, the
effect will be different.
• Different products may contain a
different amount of the supplement--sometimes not corresponding to
what's on the label. To choose the proper supplement, consult a health
care provider trained in nutrition.
• Unlike the quick effect of
medications, it usually takes several weeks before you feel pain relief
or improvement in function when taking a supplement.
• Supplements may not be for everyone. Chondroitin sulfate may interfere with anticoagulant
medications,
so if you take anticoagulants, talk to your prescribing physician
before taking glucosamine and chondroitin. In addition, the supplements
haven't been studied in pregnant women, so they should not take
glucosamine and chondroitin.
1. Osteoarthritis: Handout on Health. National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. July 2002.
2. McAlindon TE, LaValley MP, Gulin JP, Felson DT. Glucosamine and
chondroitin for treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic quality assessment
and meta-analysis. JAMA 2000 Mar 15;283(11):1469-75.