Do I have Osteoarthritis, and What Can I Do About It?

Why am I saying ouch all the time?

How come my arm doesn't go all the way up? How come my knee doesn't bend as far as it used to?

Why do I toss and turn and cannot get comfortable in bed?

Is this what getting older is going to be like? Will I experience more pain every day?

Graphic by healthdirect.gov.au

According to the World Health Organization, "In 2019, about 528 million people worldwide were living with osteoarthritis, an increase of 113% since 1990. About 73% of people living with osteoarthritis are older than 55 years, and 60% are female. With a prevalence of 365 million, the knee is the most frequently affected joint, followed by the hip and the hand".

Oh, good. I have the most common type: my knee.

Osteoarthritis is a typical problem as we age. It is a disease of the joints and can affect different people in their spine, shoulder, wrist, knee, hip, ankle, or other joint. It happens when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down. 

The body is complex and has mechanisms to deal with changes. Some of these mechanisms cause problems, such as bone spurs.

We are designed for motion. Our joints develop into padded, lubricated systems that allow for frictionless movement. During osteoarthritis, you lose some or all of the padding, the joint lining can get inflamed, the bone may change shape, and the connective tissues and muscles around the joint can be affected.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis are personal and include:

·      You may experience pain before, during, or after movement.

·      You may wake up stiff in the morning or after sitting for an extended period.

·      Your joints may be tender to the touch.

·      You may observe a loss of range of motion. You may notice you can't move your arm or leg as much as you used to.

·      Your joints may be creaky and noisy.

·      Your muscles around the joint may be inflamed.

·      In some cases, you may develop bone spurs. The space between discs in your spine narrows, and extra bone can grow. Bone spurs can grow in any affected joint.

Osteoarthritis comes with age. It affects women more than men, but the reasons have not been well studied. Your experience may be worse if:

·      You are overweight. Additional pounds is more work for your joints.

·      You have or had an injury.

·      If you played a sport or had a job that resulted in repeated stress on a particular joint. Think major league pitcher.

·      You may be more likely due to your genetics.

·      You may have been born with bone issues.

·      Certain conditions, such as diabetes, make it more likely.

There is no cure.

There are pills to relieve pain, but there is no magic pill to eliminate the problem.

There is magic action.

Movement is the answer.

I appreciate that moving may not be possible if you are feeling super stiff.

The truth is that starting and sustaining an exercise program is your best bet for relieving pain, improving flexibility and range of motion, building strength, and getting in shape to enjoy life.

If you are overweight, losing weight will also benefit you.

Good posture is part of the solution. Poor posture puts extra pressure on your joints.

Motion is lotion. A cardio and resistance training program will help you feel better by allowing your body to experience a full range of motion.

I have osteoarthritis, as does my mother. My worst joint is my right knee, but I have sensations in other locations. I combat this disease by strength training, regular cardio, and healthy eating to maintain a healthy weight,

I have improved my pain level and conditioning and can improve yours.