At some point, most of us have woken up with stiff and sometimes even swollen joints. For some people, this is a common day-to-day occurrence. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians have arthritis. What is arthritis and how is it treated?
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a very common condition that causes the joints in the body to swell and become tender. The five most common types of arthritis are; Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Gout and Lupus.
Signs of Arthritis
Just as there are many types and causes of arthritis there are many symptoms too.
- Joint Pain
- Swollen Joints
- Joint Stiffness
- Muscle ache
- Chronic Fatigue
- Loss of range of motion in the affected joints
What Causes Arthritis?
There are many different reasons a person might develop arthritis
- Injuries
- Genetics
- Obesity
- Muscle Weakness
- Age
- Overuse of a joint
Treatments For Arthritis
There is no cure for arthritis but there are treatments that can be used to ease the pain and help with the movement of joints.
- Anti inflammatories
- TNF Blockers(used mainly for the auto immune associated arthritic conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis)
- Physiotherapy. The GLA:D program is a very effective program for strengthening the arthritic hip and knee joints and helping control the pain and increase function.
- Physiotherapy also assists in regaining the range of motion and providing education on how to manage your arthritis.
- Heat or ice
- Cortisone injections to help decrease the inflammation
- Acetaminophen for pain control
It is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional for treatment options and procedures.
Physical Therapy For Arthritis
Physiotherapy is widely considered a treatment for people suffering with arthritis and joint pain. Your physiotherapist will help you exercise and strengthen the affected joints through low impact exercise and strengthening exercises.
Low impact exercise is also recommended to help treat arthritis, activities like swimming.
If you are experiencing arthritis pain and are looking for treatment, call the professionals at Durham Orthopedic & Sports Injury Clinic. We have four physiotherapists on their staff and one massage therapist on their staff who are always able to help and treat your injuries at the source of the problem.
