Blog article

There  are over 100 different types of arthritis and I am going to discuss osteoarthritis the the most commonly found type of arthritis. In Australia 12% of women and 6.8% of men suffer from ostearthritis. Knees are the most affected followed by the hips and hands. And amPain during activity or at the end of thge dayazingly, 22% of Australians over the age of 45 years are affected by osteoarthritis. 

Symptoms

• Pain during activity or at the end of the day. 
• Joint stiffness first thing or after sitting for long periods
• Limited range of moivement that may decrease after exercise.
• Clicking or popping sound when a joint bends -  could be due to tendons or ligaments passing over the rough surfaces of arthritis
• Swelling around the joint.

So what causes osteoarthritis and damage to cartilage? 

• Age - mostly 50 yrears  plus. Before 50 most injuries are sporting injuries in men, after 50 women can have more arthritis due to peri- menopause or menopause and a drop in oestrogen.
• Joint injury from falls, sport etc
• Overuse
• Musculoskeletal abnormalities e.g. misalignment of bones/joints
• Muscle strength imbalance
• Genetics
• Environment - occupation, activity, prior joint injury, quadriceps strength, bone density.
• Obesity triggers excess load on the joints and wears down the cartilage
• Inflammation where the immune system is involved.

Treatment

Medical

1. Use of drugs such as panadol osteo, NSAIDs such as Neurofen, Mobic, corticosteroids
2. . PRP - Platelet rich plasma is injected into the joint to decrease pain and inflammation.
3. Stem cells - growing cartilage and subcondral bone tissue for transplant into the joint.
4. Surgery - As a last resort. 

Non drug trteatments 

1. Exercise - 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous exercise is ideal. Exercises to strengthen muscles, increase range of motion, balance and cardio work.  Moderate exercise may not be possible as long as it is within your pain range.

2. Weight loss - so important for hips and knees.

3. Manual therapies - for mobilisation, stretch and strengthen.

4.Emotional factors - Very important to keep stress under control in your life. " Twice as likely to describe their health as "poor" among those over 45 years " Australian Institute of Health and Welfare". People are afraid of having an affliction which could create a life of pain and disability .

5. Herbal remedies such as Cucurmin, Boswellia, Willow bark, PEA, fish oils  and many more.

How I can help

1. Looking at hip joint alignment

a) Hip heights, hip rotation, SIJ issues in order to balance the body.

2. Isometric/isotonic exercises to strengthen muscles. Self care exercises with compression and release.

3.Massage to take the tension out of muscles near sore joints plus ROM round a joint.

4. Emotional fears of immobility/disability - assurance.

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