Is Arthritis Slowing You Down? Let’s Get You Moving Again
If climbing stairs, standing up or getting in and out of your car has become painful or hard to do, you’re not alone. You may be one of 33 million U.S. adults living with osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis. Movements feel like a challenge, but there are ways to find relief and resume your active lifestyle.
How Arthritis Affects Your Daily Life
Osteoarthritis isn’t just a “wear and tear” disease that breaks down cartilage. OA affects the entire joint, including the bones, connective tissue and joint lining. This condition causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling — usually in the hands, hips, back or knees.
Arthritis Awareness Month highlights the challenges faced by those living with this often painful and disabling condition. If you have OA, you may experience the following:
- Discomfort or pain while walking, especially for longer distances or on uneven ground
- Stiffness in your joints, particularly in the morning or after sitting for a while
- Swelling or a loss of flexibility in your joints, limiting how active and independent you feel
- Ongoing joint pain that tends to get worse with activity but feels a bit better when you rest
If you have similar symptoms, there are care options that can help you get back to doing the activities you enjoy.
Managing Pain and Preserving Joint Function
Osteoarthritis has no cure. However, a few lifestyle changes can help you manage your symptoms and preserve your joint function. Talk to your doctor about your health and effective treatment options, like exercise, diet and pain management.
Engaging in low-impact exercises will not reverse joint damage but may help reduce pain. Some of these arthritis-appropriate activities may include the following:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Elliptical training
- Weight training
Losing even a few extra pounds can make a difference in easing joint pain and improving how you move. Staying active and choosing healthier foods can help you feel better and support your joints. A healthy diet should include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods.
Over-the-counter pain medicine can help with joint pain for a brief time, but it may not be the best long-term solution.
Consider Joint Replacement: a Path to Relief
If everyday activities cause you daily pain and other methods have minimal effect, you may start thinking about surgery.
Joint replacement provides improved mobility, reduced pain and a better quality of life. This procedure replaces damaged bone and cartilage with prosthetic components called implants. Surgeons perform about 544,000 total hip replacements and 790,000 total knee replacements annually.
Our ambulatory surgery center provides personalized, same-day care with excellent outcomes for joint replacement procedures. We offer convenient, high-quality patient care — often at a lower cost than other facilities.
After surgery, you will go home the same day to recover with the post-op resources you need to regain your strength and mobility.
Your Journey to Better Joint Health Starts Today
Is joint pain from arthritis interfering with your daily activities? Whether you’re seeking better pain management or considering total joint replacement surgery, we’re here to help.
Take the first step toward lasting pain relief and a more physically active, comfortable life. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your joint health.