Stay Active When You Have Degenerative Arthritis

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Arthritis -- a chronic inflammation of the joints -- affects more than 37 million Americans and comes in more than 100 varieties. The most common type of arthritis is degenerative arthritis (also called osteoarthritis). It has no cure and tends to get worse over time. However, arthritis sufferers can do many things to stay active.

Degenerative arthritis breaks down cartilage -- the coating on the ends of bones where they meet at the knees, wrists, or other joints. When bits of cartilage or bone loosen, they get in the way of normal movement, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints. This type of arthritis is more common in older people because they have used their joints longer. But it can happen to persons of any age, especially athletes and people whose jobs require the same movements over and over.

Staying active through moderate exercise and keeping body weight within a proper range can help ease the pain and stiffness of arthritis. A family physician can suggest a treatment program that may include drugs that you can buy without prescription, such as aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce swelling, or acetaminophen to relieve pain.

Do the following to stay active when you have degenerative arthritis: Exercise regularly in brief sessions. Lose weight if you are overweight. Use canes, walkers or splints to protect joints from your weight. Use Velcro fasteners on clothing, lightweight appliances and electrical devices, to reduce unnecessary movement of sore joints. Avoid lifting heavy things. Don't pull on objects to move them push instead. Follow your family physician's suggestions for medication and therapy. Use heat or cold packs (whichever works and feels better) for 15-20 minutes at a time to ease stiffness or pain. Some arthritis sufferers don't want to use a cane or walker because it makes them feel old, but a cane properly used can reduce the weight on a sore hip joint by up to 60%!

A family physician can give you more tips to deal with arthritis. Family physicians are medical specialists who are trained to treat 9 out of 10 medical problems. A family physician can help you get the health care services you need, including exercise programs and physical therapy to keep active and independent when you have degenerative arthritis.

The preceding article was provided as a public service in support of Family Health Month by The American Academy of Family Physicians, 8880 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64114-2797 USA, (800) 274-2237, ext. 4218, or (816) 333-9700; FAX: (816) 333-3344; e-mail: 7414...@compuserve.com

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