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.
How long does an OA flare-up last? An OA flare-up can last from one or two days to a week or more. If you suspect you are going through a flare-up episode, it is crucial to seek medical attention before the symptoms worsen.
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.
There is no cure for arthritis of the knee. It's a lifelong condition. But the good news is treatment can relieve some of the symptoms. Treatment might even slow down or stop the disease from getting worse.
If you have osteoarthritis of the knee, you will probably feel your knee is painful and stiff at times. It may only affect one knee, especially if you've injured it in the past, or you could have it in both. The pain may feel worse at the end of the day, or when you move your knee, and it may improve when you rest.
Avoid high-impact workouts and exercises if you have osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or ankle. These activities often place stress on weight-bearing joints. Basketball, football, hockey, and soccer are all examples of high-impact sports. If you enjoy playing sports, speak with Dr.
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.
Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity, making it more susceptible to damage. Over time, the cartilage may wear away in some areas, greatly decreasing its ability to act as a shock absorber. As the cartilage wears away, tendons and ligaments stretch, causing pain.
Many people who have arthritis or a related disease may be living with chronic pain. Pain is chronic when it lasts three to six months or longer, but arthritis pain can last a lifetime. It may be constant, or it may come and go.
People suffering with chronic knee pain now have a new, minimally invasive treatment option at Tidelands Health. Cooled radiofrequency treatment blocks pain signals sent by nerves to the brain. Patients can experience improved mobility and pain relief for up to 12 months.
Age. 43% of people with OA are 65 or older and 88% of people with OA are 45 or older. Annual incidence of knee OA is highest between 55 and 64 years old. More than half of individuals with symptomatic knee OA are younger than 65.
Find a Physio
Exercise can help to manage some of the symptoms of arthritis. Physios provide advice and education on exercise, pain relief and ways to manage your condition. They can teach you how to improve your joint movement and your walking, as well as how to strengthen your muscles.
Walking is a fantastic option for many patients with knee arthritis because it is a low-impact activity that does not put undue stress on the joints. Furthermore, walking can increase the knee's range of motion and keep it from becoming overly stiff.
"Unfortunately, it's still not completely clear what triggers osteoarthritis to flare up, although we suspect that a primary contributor is overuse of the affected joint, either due to repetitive action or prolonged activity without sufficient rest."
The most common condition that results in the need for knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage. Damage to the cartilage and bones limits movement and may cause pain.
With the right support, you can lead a healthy, active life with osteoarthritis. The condition does not necessarily get worse.
Low-Impact Activities
Other exercises that are easy on the knees include biking, swimming, and water aerobics. Water exercise takes weight off painful joints. Many community and hospital wellness centers, gyms, and pools offer classes for people with arthritis.
You may need to avoid activities that put too much strain on the joints, such as running and sports that involve jumping, quick turns, or sudden stops — tennis and basketball, for example. Swimming and pool exercises have several advantages for people with osteoarthritis. Warm water is soothing to muscles and joints.
But whether it's mild or severe, you can take some steps to ease the joint pain and swelling by resting it, applying an ice or heat pack and taking an over-the-counter analgesic, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), or NSAID, like ibuprofen or naproxen.
If you feel knee pain while going up and down the stairs, you may be experiencing the first symptoms of osteoarthritis. New research, published in the medical journal Arthritis Care & Research, found that climbing stairs appears to be the first weight-bearing activity that causes osteoarthritis pain.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a prevalent health issue. Despite a diagnosis of arthritis of the knee, the majority of you can live an active, happy life.