5 Ways to Slow Down the Progression of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the more than 100 different types of arthritis, a condition that means “joint inflammation,” and it’s the most common form. OA develops when the cartilage that lines your joints and helps prevent the bones from rubbing against each other wears away, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and pain.

Joints are where bones come together, supported by ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, and connective tissue.

Usually, the ends of the bones in your joints are capped in a layer of tough, smooth cartilage that absorbs shock and acts as a lubricant for the bones. With OA, though, the cartilage wears away from extended use over time, and the bones grind against each other as you move. The friction leads to inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness whenever you try to move.

At Primecare Family Practice in Arlington, Texas, board-certified family practitioners Maryline Ongangi, APRN, FNP-C and Lewis Nyantika, APRN, FNP-C offer chronic disease management to help you manage the pain and other symptoms of OA. We can’t cure the disease, but we can help make it bearable for you.

And there are a number of things you can do to help yourself. Here, the team explains five ways you can slow the progression of OA and improve your quality of life.

Types of osteoarthritis

OA can be classified as either primary or secondary.:

Primary osteoarthritis is the more common form, and it develops in your joints over time due to a lifetime’s use and wear-and-tear.

Secondary osteoarthritis occurs when something directly damages a joint enough to cause osteoarthritis. Injuries, traumas, and inflammatory types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis, are all common culprits.

Osteoarthritis is so common that experts estimate more than 80% of adults over 55 have it, even if they don’t experience symptoms. Some 60% of people with OA have symptoms they notice or feel.

Those symptoms include:

• Joint pain, especially with motion
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Decreased range of motion
• Feeling like a joint isn’t strong or stable
• Joint deformity

The trick is to catch the symptoms early enough to get treatment that can help.

Treating OA: 5 ways to slow the progression

Most forms of arthritis respond well to conservative treatments. Including them in your care routine can help slow OA’s progression and give you a measure of relief.

1. Medication

We usually recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and inflammation, both oral and topical. Topical preparations include creams, ointments, or patches you put on your skin on or near the joint.

2. Exercise

It may seem counterintuitive, but if your joints are hurting, moving them can help. Exercise can relieve stiffness while strengthening the joint’s muscles to support it. And low-impact exercise, including swimming, water aerobics, and weight training, help your body overall while giving your joints a rest.

3. Physical therapy

If you’re in too much discomfort to exercise, we recommend you work with a physical therapist. They can show you stretches and exercises that target the joints without taxing the rest of you.

4. Supportive devices

Devices like shoe inserts or a brace can support and stabilize your joints. And using a cane or walker can help you move safely while taking the pressure off your arthritic joints.

5. Complementary therapy

Complementary therapies work alongside other treatment options to boost their efficacy. These include treatments such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, tai chi, and dietary supplements. Never start taking a supplement without first talking with your doctor, as it may have adverse effects you don’t know about.

Other good ways to slow OA’s progression are options that benefit your whole-person health:

• Avoid tobacco products: they impair blood flow, dehydrate tissues, lead to other diseases
• Follow a diet plan that’s healthy for you: fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and good hydration
• Maintain a healthy weight: it puts less pressure on the joints

We also recommend that you visit Primecare Family Practice for regular check-ups and as soon as you notice any change in your joints: early treatment is usually more successful than if you wait.

Are you noticing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis catching up with you? Then it’s time to come into Primecare Family Practice for an evaluation and discussion of how to proceed. To get started, call our office at 817-873-3710, or book online with us today.