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Osteoarthritis
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (or osteoarthrosis) is a condition where
the joint stops moving smoothly due to a roughening of the cartilage which
covers the end of the bone.
Common symptoms include:
- stiffness in the joint, especially first thing in the morning
- pain

- reduced movement
- clicking or grinding
Common myths:
-
‘I have arthritis, nothing can be done to help’
– although there is degeneration of the joint which cannot be changed without
an operation, plenty can be done to reduce the pain and symptoms of arthritis
such as exercise, reducing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
-
‘Exercise causes damage’- building strength
can help support the joint as well as release endorphins which can help with
pain relief.
-
‘Diet doesn’t affect joints’- Being
overweight will put more stress on the joints, therefore, losing weight will
not only help strengthen the joint but will also reduce the load on the joint
itself.
-
‘Clicking/cracking joints causes more damage’-
there is no evidence to suggest that this will cause, or add damage to the
joint. Some people naturally have joints that click. Clicking (or crepitus) can be a result or air
escaping from the joint, fluid movement or other structures moving, for
example, tendons.
Exercise:
All exercise is beneficial but doing things like cycling,
Tai Chi, walking, exercise in the water/swimming or using a cross trainer can
be very beneficial. If these aren’t for you, general strengthening exercises
and cardiovascular exercise will also help. Seeing a physiotherapist can help
guide you through exercises and assist your return to the things you enjoy
doing.