Senior Resources South Central

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G ET A CTIVE TO E ASE O STEOARTHRITIS shoelace or bend down. It is possible to feel better by improving your diet, adding the right medica- tions and supplements and starting an exercise pro- gram. You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to bene- fit from exercise. Most peo- ple begin by putting on a good pair of sneakers and heading outdoors. Walking is one of the simplest, safest and cheapest ways to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Take your time. Start slowly and increase your speed and distance to keep the exer- cise challenging, without being grueling. Try to make a schedule and stick to it. another excellent choice, whether you do pool laps or take up aquatic exer- cise—stretching, walking and other workouts done in water. Thanks to water’s buoyancy, it’s easy to move around in a pool. Hydrotherapy is also won- If walking becomes boring, try swimming. This is

derfully soothing to sore and tired joints.

f you have osteoarthri- tis, experts suggest that tak- ing a walk, swimming, riding a bike – or doing any level of physical activity to keep your joints moving is help- ful. In fact, a variety of aero- bic exercises will help to relieve pain, improve flexi- bility and maybe even decrease the need for pain relievers. That’s good news for the more than 20 million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis, or degenera- tive joint disease that most often affects the hands, spine, knees and hips. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage (tissue that connects bones at joints) wears, frays, ulcerates and, in some cases, disappears completely, leav- ing bare joints. Symptoms include morning stiffness, tenderness, loss of mobility and function, and creaking Although the causes of osteoarthritis are unknown, age, genetics and a lifetime of wear and tear are thought to be culprits. Although no cure exists, much can be done to ease aches and improve movement. If you have osteoarthritis, you already know how painful it can be just to tie a and cracking of joints, referred to as crepitus.

Of course, it’s always impor- tant to check with your doctor before you start exercising and to keep your physician informed of your progress. If you have advanced osteoarthritis, consider work- ing with a physical therapist. That person can show you proper exercise techniques to avoid further injury. Occupational therapists can also help you remain as mobile and independent as possible. If your joint pain is not responding to your treatment plan, you may benefit from a consultation with an orthope- dic surgeon. An orthopedic surgeon specializes in the conditions and treatments available for injuries and ail- ments within the muscu- loskeletal system. Or more simply stated – they can take care of your bones and joints. And not all treatments end up as a surgery.

The physicians at Fort HealthCare Orthopaedic

Associates are experts in offering surgical and non-surgical treat- ment solutions for joint pain and other conditions. Visit FortHealthCare.com/Ortho to learn more.

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