Osteoarthritis
Exercising with osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the cartilage starts to break down in the joints. The main function of cartilage is to maintain a frictionless surface and provide cushioning between bones. Thus, cartilage breakdown causes friction to develop between the bones of the joint, leading to inflammation, pain and decreased mobility.
Osteoarthritis is divided into two categories – primary and secondary. The two categories have the same symptoms, but differ in their origins:
- Primary osteoarthritis has no specific cause and is often related to aging. As people get older, the water content of their cartilage increases while the protein content decreases. Over time, repetitive use of the joints can irritate the aged cartilage and lead to inflamed cartilage and pain. Eventually, the cartilage might start to flake off or form crevasses in its surface. The uneven surface that develops causes increased friction and more pain, as well as a decrease in joint mobility.
- Secondary osteoarthritis will exhibit the same symptoms as mentioned above, but is a result of another disease or condition, such as obesity, trauma to the joint, congenital abnormalities, diabetes, gout or hormonal disorders.
The joints most commonly afflicted by osteoarthritis are the hands, feet, knees, hips and spine. Men and women are both affected by this disease, but it’s been recorded that under the age of 45, more men are affected than women, while over the age of 55, more women are affected than men.
Treatment
A number of people afflicted by osteoarthritis experience very little symptoms and do not require much treatment, while some individuals are affected severely and require one or more types of treatment to alleviate the symptoms. Rest, exercise, weight reduction (especially effective when weight-bearing joints are affected), physical and occupational therapy, and weight support devices ease the symptoms in some patients.
Other patients also require medication to reduce pain and increase mobility. Drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and cortisone are commonly recommended by the doctor and have proven effective for certain people. Research is still being done to determine the effectiveness of glucosamine supplementation.
If the condition becomes severe and the cartilage in the affected joints has disappeared altogether, patients need to undergo more drastic treatment. At this point, a knee scope or total joint replacement might be recommended.
Is exercise beneficial to osteoarthritis sufferers?
Exercise has a positive effect on arthritic individuals, since it does not aggravate the affected joint as long as it is performed at a level of intensity that does not cause pain. Exercise helps to enhance the strength of muscles surrounding the joints and increase cardiovascular fitness. It also helps to maintain or increase flexibility and mobility and promotes weight loss in overweight individuals. Decreasing body weight will decrease the amount of weight absorbed by the knee and hip, which will reduce the irritation and pain in those joints.
Which exercises would be most effective for osteoarthritis sufferers?
Exercising in water is a great way to work out if you suffer from arthritis, because your body weight is supported by the water around you and the impact on your joints is significantly decreased, as well as the pain. Swimming, aquasizes (water aerobics) and deep-water running are all excellent forms of aerobic exercise and are highly recommended for arthritis sufferers.
Walking and stationary cycling are also great forms of cardiovascular activity, and have little impact on your joints (cycling is lower impact than walking). Light weight training is also effective, as long as it does not cause pain or irritation.
Some people find that applying heat locally prior to exercise and applying ice locally after exercise helps to reduce any pain and inflammation that might occur. As long as exercise is performed in a manner that is appropriate for you and your condition, its effects are beneficial! Get out there and move around a bit, but remember to consult your doctor first!
