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Osteoarthritis can develop slowly and worsen over time.
A condition that can result in pain, stiffness, inflammation, loss of flexibility, tenderness, bone spurs, and a grating sensation in the joints, osteoarthritis can develop slowly and worsen over time. Caused by the wearing down of cartilage, osteoarthritis can affect any joint but is most commonly found in the spine, knees, hands, and hips. The condition can damage more than just your cartilage. If left untreated it can also affect the bone and connective tissues that hold your joints together. You may be more at risk for osteoarthritis if you are older, a woman, are obese, have prior joint injuries, put repeated stress on the joint, have a genetic predisposition to the condition, have bone deformities, or if you have certain metabolic diseases. If you have any of these risk factors, you may want to talk to your doctor or physical therapist about all the ways you may be able to prevent osteoarthritis.
How to Prevent Osteoarthritis
Monitor your pain levels.
You should talk to your doctor if you experience joint pain lasting more than two hours after activities. You should also take anti-inflammatory medications and use an ice pack to reduce inflammation. Monitoring pain levels can help determine what activities work best for you, which can help prevent osteoarthritis and joint pain long-term.
Control your blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight.
High blood sugar levels can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. You should talk to your doctor about managing any diabetic symptoms or if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, and make sure to get your blood sugar levels checked regularly. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight can help keep additional stress off your joints. Extra weight and fat can even cause changes in the cartilage of your joints. If you are currently overweight, talk to your doctor about safe ways to lose weight and maintain good health.
Stay active
Low-impact activities can improve the health of your joints. Activities such as strength training, swimming, and aerobic exercise can help slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and even help prevent the condition. Exercising regularly can also help increase muscle strength, reduce pain, relieve stiffness, and help with fatigue.
Prevent joint injuries
If you have a job that involves a lot of repetitive motions, it can be hard on your joints. You may want to talk to your doctor about ways you can adapt to prevent further damage. Those who are active can also prevent joint injuries by warming up and stretching before workouts and varying their exercise activities.
Have you experienced symptoms of osteoarthritis? Contact the specialists at Essex Orthopaedics. They can help you come up with a plan to treat joint pain and prevent additional damage to your joints!
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
