Living and Thriving with Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It is a disease of the entire joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments, fat and tissues lining the joint.  Most often found in the hips, knees, fingers and feet, osteoarthritis can damage cartilage, reshape bones, and cause inflammation and pain.

It’s estimated that more than 54-million adults in the U.S. are living with some form of arthritis, a leading cause of disability.  In fact, about 44-percent of these adults report that their activities are limited because of arthritis. Despite that discouraging statistic, there are several things you can do aside from surgery to lessen the impact of arthritis on your daily life.

The benefits of a consistent exercise program are widely known and include strengthening muscles, weight loss and making movement easier. These attributes are especially important for individuals with arthritis because strengthening the muscles around affected joints adds support that can lessen arthritis pain. Losing a few pounds also reduces pressure and stress on these joints.

Low-impact exercises like walking and swimming can be especially helpful. However, the best exercise plan should be individually tailored to accommodate the type of arthritis you have and which joints are affected. And, before you start any exercise program, check with your primary care physician (PCP) to determine which activities are best for you.

Your PCP can also give you guidance about over the counter and prescription medications and creams that may provide temporary relief from arthritis pain. The Arthritis Foundation is a good resource for information about medications available to treat all forms of arthritis.

And finally, it’s not possible to overstate the importance of a healthy diet designed to target chronic inflammation caused by arthritis. Individuals should try to limit their intake of added sugar, red and processed meat, refined carbs and trans-fats. Instead, the Mediterranean Diet is a good natural anti-inflammatory option. Other “super foods” for joint health include olive oil, dark leafy greens like spinach and kale; fatty fishes like tuna and salmon; herbs including turmeric, garlic, and ginger; and even dark chocolates.

In many cases, an individualized treatment plan that includes a combination of exercise, medication and healthy food can help reduce your arthritis pain. However, if your quality of life is severely impacted by arthritis, you may want to consider surgery. Trinity Health Of New England offers a wide range of orthopedic surgery to help you get back to your daily activities. You can learn more about the services we provide here.