Our Caulfield Natural Health Clinic Physiotherapist, Shanee Fleischer, has summarised some facts about Osteoarthritis below. Information has been summarised from Physiotherapy InMotion magazine, May 2021.
Did you know…
- Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, and commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees and hips. Common symptoms include joint pain and joint stiffness.
- Imaging is not always required to diagnose osteoarthritis.
- Joint structural damage does not fully explain osteoarthritis pain. Osteoarthritis symptoms can occur before any structural changes appear on imaging. This highlights that pain is not necessarily a message from a damaged joint, but is a complex experience with many contributing factors to the perception of pain.
- Exercise is safe and recommended for OA. There is a belief that exercise may harm the joint cartilage, which is incorrect. Evidence shows that exercise therapy does not trigger inflammatory reactions in the joint. Exercise therapy can strengthen muscles around the joint, improve joint stability and increase joint range of motion. People with OA are encouraged to exercise for their joint health as well as their general health.
- OA can be prevented by managing modifiable risk factors. These include injury prevention (traumatic joint injury), maintaining a healthy body weight, minimising excessive occupational load through the joints, and maintaining regular physical activity to promote muscle strength and stimulate cartilage regeneration.
- Surgery should not be the first treatment choice. Surgery should be considered after attempting high value non-surgical care, including exercise therapy, education and weight management.
How can Physiotherapy at Caulfield Natural Health Clinic help if you are suffering from Osteoarthritis?
We will assess your condition, and try and identify aggravating factors.
We will discuss a treatment plan, which may include modifying activities, education about your condition, pain management strategies, and prescription of an appropriate exercise program.
Please contact us on 95283994 with any questions.
