Issue Date: July 19, 2009
Ease the pain in your joints
OA often affects the hip and knee joints.
|
Do your joints hurt? Our aging population's most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease. It typically affects weight-bearing joints, especially the hips and knees. As the cartilage cushioning the affected joint breaks down, the bones will rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion. Sufferers usually limit their movement to minimize discomfort.
Two things you can do to help reduce pain? Exercise and lose weight. Yes, dieting and exercise take time and effort, but they can make a difference. Weight loss relieves stress on the affected joint, often making it feel more comfortable.
Anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy can help, too. And medications injected into the joint can provide relief, even if just temporarily.
Joint replacement is the gold standard for those with serious cases of OA in the hips and knees. Bits of bone and cartilage are replaced with man-made materials to restore smooth surfaces for joint motion. The techniques and materials for replacing joints have improved significantly over the past few decades, giving those with OA a new start.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and CEO of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
|
