Why Osteoarthritis Is Such a Pain
And How Physical Therapy Can Help
Persistent joint pain can severely hamper your lifestyle. One of the more common causes of persistent and chronic joint pain, particularly among older people, is osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that causes joint inflammation.
People with osteoarthritis (OA) will struggle with pain and stiffness in the affected joints, making it difficult to live the type of active lifestyle that could help them manage their symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with OA, the physical therapists at Haymarket PT can help you better understand the condition, ensuring you get the relief you need. Call us today to learn more.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Examining the Causes and Risk Factors
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, affecting around 3.5% of the global population–and nearly 32.5 million Americans. Its primary symptoms are joint pain and immobility; if left unaddressed, it can profoundly impact your overall quality of life.
But how do you address OA, a condition with no current cure? We can start by looking at what causes the joint inflammation. The joints in your body contain two materials that help protect the bones:
- Cartilage, a flexible tissue that acts as a shock absorber and prevents the bones in a joint from rubbing against each other
- Synovial fluid, a substance that lubricates your joint whenever you move
Osteoarthritis occurs when these materials degenerate, causing your bones to rub against each other. Without protection from cartilage and synovial fluid, basic joint movements become painful, the joint tissue becomes inflamed, and your range of motion diminishes.
But what causes that degeneration? Researchers aren’t sure, but it’s tied to aging–your risk of developing osteoarthritis increases as you get older. Around 80% of people over 65 have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in their joints, although not all of them experience symptoms.
Certain factors beyond aging can also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Most of these factors contribute to the tissue degeneration that causes OA:
- Genetics
- Past injury to a joint (particularly a weight-bearing joint)
- Jobs that require repetitive squatting, bending, or twisting
- Excess weight
How Do I Know If It’s Osteoarthritis?
There are many reasons someone might experience joint pain beyond osteoarthritis, so it is important to seek out an expert, such as the physical therapists at Haymarket PT, for a diagnosis. That said, certain types of pain and other symptoms could indicate you’ve developed OA, especially if you’re over 50:
- Pain that flares up during activity but lessens with rest.
- Pain when you press on the joint.
- Joint stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning–it’ll usually ease up after about 30 minutes.
- Cracking, crunching, or creaking noises in the joint (officially known as crepitus–those sounds are the bones rubbing together).
When you visit us for your initial appointment, our therapists will conduct a detailed physical assessment that considers your health history, OA risk factors, and symptoms. We’ll also conduct several movement screens that test your range of motion, strength, and balance, which can help develop the best treatment plan for your needs.
Movement: The Best Medicine for OA
It might sound contradictory, but exercise is crucial in treating and managing osteoarthritis. Your joints want to move, and moving them regularly keeps them healthy and lubricated.
For this reason, physical therapy plays a big role in helping you manage osteoarthritis, especially if you want to avoid surgery. We’ll work closely with you to develop a tailored exercise program that suits your needs and ability levels, focusing on low-impact activities like walking, biking, or swimming.
We can also help with other areas of OA management, such as…
- Providing drug-free pain relief through manual therapy techniques.
- Working with you to improve your joint’s range of motion so you can move more freely.
- Helping you improve your balance and walking patterns. While OA can affect any joint, it’s most common in weight-bearing joints like the hips or knees, which make it difficult for you to move around.
- Educating you on OA and various self-management strategies.
Is Exercising a Challenge?
Try these Suggestions!
Everyone knows regular exercise is crucial to good health. Not only can it improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and other types of joint pain, it can lower your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes while boosting your mood.
But what happens if you struggle with mobility? How can you exercise regularly if it’s difficult for you to move at all? You might find some of these suggestions helpful:
- Find something you enjoy. This is the number one suggestion for exercising more. If you find an activity you love doing, you’ll look forward to doing it. Our therapists can help you find that sweet spot of exercises that suit your abilities and your interests.
- Modify your workouts to accommodate your needs. Did you know you can lift weights while sitting in a chair? Or take a heart-healthy walk while using a mobility aid? Our therapists can help you find the modifications that work for you.
- Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. You don’t have to go to the gym to work out. Putting away groceries? Try doing a few bicep curls with your soup cans (and eventually, you may graduate to using your milk jug!). Sweeping the living room? Put on some music, and don’t be afraid to dance as you work.
Don’t Let Osteoarthritis Cramp Your Style!
At Haymarket PT, we want to help everyone get active in the ways that work for them. Call us today for personalized guidance on what will work best for you! Suspect you may have OA? Recently diagnosed and seeking treatment? The experts at Haymarket PT can help. Call today to schedule your appointment!
Exercise of the Month
Shoulder Press
Stand tall with a dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent, and weights held at shoulder height with palms facing forward. Press both dumbbells overhead until your arms are fully extended. Pause briefly at the top, then slowly lower the weights back to shoulder height.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: dumbbells)
Meet Our Team
Kevin Rabago, LPTA, Owner
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
Theresa Crowe, LPTA
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
Caitlin Maat, LPTA
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
Porter Wilson
Rehabilitation Aide
Healthy Recipe: Spring Veggie & Herb Breakfast Frittata
Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped into small pieces
- ½ cup fresh peas
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sauté vegetables: In an oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add asparagus and cook 3–4 minutes. Stir in peas and spinach and cook until spinach wilts.
- Whisk eggs: In a bowl, whisk eggs with milk, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
- Combine: Pour egg mixture over the vegetables in the skillet. Sprinkle goat cheese on top.
- Bake: Transfer skillet to the oven and bake 10–15 minutes, until the center is set.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, slice, and enjoy warm. Pair with fresh berries or whole-grain toast.
