Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition and cannot be cured, but it doesn't necessarily get any worse over time and it can sometimes gradually improve. A number of treatments are also available to reduce the symptoms. Mild symptoms can sometimes be managed with simple measures, including: regular exercise.
Adopting a "good-health attitude" and healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet, staying at a healthy weight, and getting enough sleep, will make you feel better and help you stay active. When you think in a positive way, you may be more able to: Care for yourself and handle the challenges of arthritis.
A plant-based, whole-food diet focused on fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains might help ease your OA symptoms². Exercise can help manage OA. Exercising regularly can help ease your pain, swelling, and stiffness and may also help slow down the disease's progression.
Osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be managed, although the damage to joints can't be reversed. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and receiving certain treatments might slow progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function.
High-Intensity Exercises – For those with knee osteoarthritis, high-intensity exercises such as sports and deep lunges can exacerbate the condition.
Osteoarthritis does not evolve uniformly, it is unpredictable. It can remain silent for a long time and not manifest itself even though the joint looks very damaged on the X-ray. But it can also worsen rapidly over several weeks or months at a stage when the X-rays are almost normal.
Experts confirm that once OA starts, it may take years to reach a severe stage. However, in extreme cases, OA progresses rapidly to complete the destruction of the cartilage within a few months. Some of the factors that determine the rate of OA progression include: The severity of your symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain.
With the right support, you can lead a healthy, active life with osteoarthritis. The condition does not necessarily get worse.
“Low-impact exercises, like walking, cycling or using an elliptical machine are smart choices,” says Dr. Zikria. “If you run, play basketball or do other high-impact activities, avoid hard surfaces and don't do it every day.” Multiple studies show that mild to moderate exercise is beneficial for people with arthritis.
Early-onset osteoarthritis can be diagnosed at any age under 50 years old. What are the main causes of early-stage osteoarthritis? The main causes of early-onset osteoarthritis include a history of joint trauma or injury, being overweight, and joint malalignment.
Osteoarthritic joints have low levels of aggrecan, proteoglycan, type-II collagen, and runt-related transcription factor 1(RUNX1).
Cause of Osteoarthritis
Certain factors may make it more likely for you to develop the disease, including: Aging. Being overweight or obese. History of injury or surgery to a joint.
Joint injury or overuse—Injury or overuse, such as knee bending and repetitive stress on a joint, can damage a joint and increase the risk of OA in that joint. Age—The risk of developing OA increases with age. Gender—Women are more likely to develop OA than men, especially after age 50.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and sometimes stiffness in the affected joints. The pain tends to be worse when you move the joint or at the end of the day. Your joints may feel stiff after rest, but this usually wears off fairly quickly once you get moving.
While OA can be limited to a single joint, in many cases it progresses to involve other joints, often in a sequential fashion as you describe. In some cases, pain from OA in one joint (such as an ankle or knee) can prompt you to walk, stand or move differently.
Doctors consider stage 4 OA “severe.” Individuals in stage 4 experience significant pain and discomfort upon walking or moving the joint.
Pain, stiffness, or difficulty moving could affect your mobility, making tasks like walking or driving very difficult. You may need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair to get around.
The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. For some people, the symptoms can be mild and may come and go. Other people can experience more continuous and severe problems which make it difficult to carry out everyday activities.
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do when you have arthritis. There are lots of reasons you should walk for exercise: You'll burn calories, improve your balance, and boost your heart health. Your bones will get stronger and so will your muscles.
Walking is recommended for people with arthritis as it's low impact, helps to keep the joints flexible, helps bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. If you do experience pain or you're very stiff afterwards try doing a bit less, factor in more rest and check in with your GP, if you need to.