Also called the wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis is more common in elderly people. With age, your risk of developing osteoarthritis also heightens. A doctor for osteoarthritis surgery in Thane says that the condition can be prevented with lifestyle adjustments, physical activities, the right footwear, and medical interventions. For those who’ve already developed osteoarthritis, steps can be taken to slow its progression.
Understanding Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of the cartilage located at the end of your bones wearing down. It can occur from repetitive stress to the joint, wear-and-tear of the cartilage due to aging, weak muscles, genetics, obesity, and chronic inflammation. Below are the symptoms people with osteoarthritis are likely to experience:
- Pain in the joints that gets worse with movements
- Stiff joints
- Reduced flexibility
- Swelling around the joints
- Joint deformities
If you notice the symptoms above, particularly debilitating joint pain with swelling and stiffness, seek medical care. Seeking early care can help diagnose and slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
Lifestyle Modifications
Simple lifestyle changes can lower your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Here’s how:
1) Maintain a Healthy Weight:
Overweight or obese people are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than those with a normal body mass index. Excessive weight strains the weight-bearing joints of your body, making them more likely to wear down. If you fall into the overweight or obese category, shedding a few pounds can help mitigate your risk of osteoarthritis.
2) Practice Regular Physical Activity:
Exercising improves the muscle strength around your joints, improves flexibility and movements, and reduces the risk of osteoarthritis. That said, exercises that put too much weight on your joints should be avoided if you are already diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Walking, bicycling, swimming, and yoga are the best exercises you can incorporate into your routine to improve your knee strength.
3) Diet and Nutrition:
There’s no specific diet that’s proven to prevent osteoarthritis, but adding certain foods does lower your risk. Increase your intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Turmeric, nuts & seeds, berries, and leafy greens are a few examples of foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties.
Protective Measures for Joints
Apart from your diet and exercise routine, these protective measures can help keep your joints in good shape and prevent osteoarthritis:
- Sit in the right posture to prevent joint strain
- Avoid movements that put too much weight on your joints, like squatting and heavy lifting
- Use an ergonomic chair for work
- Wear supportive footwear to avoid straining your joints
Medical Interventions
While home remedies can improve your quality of life to some degree, it’s advisable to get osteoarthritis treatment in Thane if you are diagnosed with it. Your doctor will refer you to a physical therapist who personalizes physical therapies based on your age, health, and joint health.
Medications like topical creams and painkillers can alleviate the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Although less common, a surgical intervention may be necessary if you have reached an advanced stage of osteoarthritis. Although it’s a common issue among elders, osteoarthritis is not inevitable. With lifestyle changes, medication, diet modification, and exercise, you can reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
