By Ashley Mumma, PT, DPT
We have known for some time that healthy exercise is good for you. But often times, physical therapists run into people who worry that exercise will damage their joints. Now, thanks to relatively recent research, we know the process through which exercise prevents cartilage breakdown.
Motion is lotion, and loading joints through an appropriate amount of exercise can improve cartilage health and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
Here’s how it works:
- Joints are important organs of the musculoskeletal system. They enable individuals to maintain posture, to position their body relative to their surroundings, to move, and to place objects
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around them.
- When performing these tasks, joints commonly encounter forces that are several times the body weight. Joints are made up of various structures and tissues, which, from a functional point of view, act together. Joints are made to deal effectively with the mechanical loads encountered over many years of life, ideally without suffering damage.
- Articular cartilage provides the weight-bearing surface of synovial joints. The role of adult articular cartilage is to maintain mechanical competence. Cartilage also provides an almost frictionless gliding surface, so it is capable of transferring loads during motion. In order to be able to meet complex mechanical demands without undergoing wear and tear, articular cartilage displays unique adaptable properties.
This relatively recent research demonstrates that exercise may work to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. The knowledge that exercise protects cartilage is a game-changer!
Hopefully, this research will change the belief that exercise will damage joints and help folks understand that loading their joints throughout moderate doses of exercise can positively influence cartilage health and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
Physical therapy works to strengthen joints that have been weakened by damage and inflammation. Physical therapy exercises can help reduce joint pain and stiffness, as well as improve range of motion, making you more mobile.
If you are interested in joint protection and exercise, give us a call at Tulsa Bone & Joint Physical Therapy at 918-392-1482 or request an appointment online.
By Joseph Terry, PT, DPhty
In the world of orthopedics, osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the main conditions for which patients seek out our care. Arthritis, in its various forms, is prevalent in roughly 23% of our society and nearly 50% in those over the age of 65 (CDC). Many cases eventually require surgical intervention due to the severity of the condition and/or impact on the individual’s overall function; however, this is not always the case. There are also many cases in which conservative approaches may prove to be effective in restoring a patient’s function.
Before we discuss ways to care for and manage OA, let’s first look at what it is and what puts you at risk for developing it.
• What is OA?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints that is characterized by loss of cartilage and the development of bony growths (spurs) as the body attempts to self-repair. These changes lead to pain, crepitus (grinding), decreased motion, swelling, and can eventually cause deformity in severe cases. All joints are susceptible to developing OA, but it is most commonly seen in the knees, hips, and shoulders.
• Risk Factors.
The number one risk factor in developing OA is age and the associated “wear and tear” our bodies go through over time. It is also more common in women and those who are overweight/obese. Other contributing factors are previous joint injury, working in manually intensive jobs, having a family history of OA, and previously participating in repetitive impact sports.
• Common Symptoms.
Commonly, those with OA complain of joint pain that increases with activity/throughout the day, frequent joint swelling and tenderness, and/or crepitus (grinding) in the joint. In more severe cases, individuals may even see joint deformity or enlargement.
Conservative management for OA is essentially any form of non-surgical treatment and can include any or all of the ones listed below. It is important to discuss these with your physician to determine if they are specifically appropriate for you and your condition.
• Nonsteroid Anti-inflammatory Medication (NSAIDs).
This is something you would discuss with your doctor.
• Bracing/orthotics.
This is something you could discuss with your doctor and/or a physical therapist.
• Nutrition and Supplements.
This is something you can discuss with your doctor and/or a registered dietitian/nutritionist.
• Exercise.
Improving the flexibility and strength of the supporting muscles has proven to be extremely beneficial in treating OA and can often times delay or even prevent the need of having surgery. Increasing your activity level can also result in weight loss, which improves the symptoms associated with OA. If appropriate, being taken through a supervised exercise program by a licensed physical therapist may be the best way to treat your condition.
If you have been dealing with joint pain that increases with activity/throughout the day, frequent joint swelling and tenderness, and/or crepitus (grinding) in the joint, it might be worth having one of our orthopedic specialists perform an evaluation to determine the cause of your symptoms and what the appropriate course of treatment is.
