Arthritis Does Not Have to Limit Your Performance

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and affects one in two adults over the age of 65. It occurs when the cartilage between our joints that provides protection and cushion breaks down. This can cause pain, stiffness, tenderness, and swelling. Even worse, these symptoms can lead to a change in your everyday function and prevent you from performing at your peak. 

While OA is common, it is NOT a "normal" part of aging. This means it is not something that is supposed to happen as we get older... though it often does. WHY? There are many factors that can increase your risk of getting OA. 

Here are a few: 

• Increased weight. Your weight can have serious health implications and can influence your chances of developing various diseases and conditions, including OA. 

• Joint injury. A previous injury to your joint can lead to OA after years. 

• Weak and/ or tight muscles. If our muscles aren't stretched and strong, our joints may not be positioned in the optimal position. This can cause extra stress on those joints. 

• Genes. People with family members who have OA are more likely to develop OA. 

• Sex. Women are more likely than men to develop OA. 

So, what can we do about it? We can't change our genes or sex but we CAN address the other factors listed above: 

• Weight. Maintain a "healthy" weight. One of the easiest ways to see if you're in a healthy range is to calculate your Body Mass Index. Try this calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

• Joint injury. Have you fully recovered from your old injury or do you often think "my (knee, ankle, shoulder) has never been the same"? 

• Weak and/ or tight muscles. Although OA can make movement difficult, movement is one the best ways to manage osteoarthritis is to move. Make sure that the muscles that surround your arthritic joint are strong and flexible. 

Are you concerned that you might develop OA? Want help decreasing the pain that you feel from an old injury? Is OA affecting your sport performance? Contact POST Westover Hills to schedule a comprehensive evaluation with our physical therapist.