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man with arthritis holding wrist
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What is Arthritis?

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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.  

Person icing their knee
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Is Icing a Good Treatment For Sports Injuries?

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We have all heard the term RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) when you sustain an injury, but is icing alone a good treatment for sports injuries? What is the best way to take care of your sports injuries? Injuries can come from all different types of physical activity. Joint sprains, muscle strains and ligament injuries are the most common. 

Icing is found to be most beneficial within the first 24-72 hours of your injury. You want to apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 3 hours. 

 

The Proper Icing Technique

When Icing you want to make sure you are applying ice properly to the injured area. Below are some tips on how and when to ice your sports injury. 

  1. Get ice on the injury as quickly as possible

The beneficial effects of icing decreases after 48-72 hours. Applying ice to the injury as soon as possible will drastically reduce swelling and inflammation.  

  1. Elevate

Elevating your injury above your heart is very important when icing. This not only helps to reduce inflammation it will help you recover faster. 

  1. Time 

Time is very important when icing. Leaving the ice on for too long can cause tissue damage, reduce blood flow and sometimes it can even cause frostbite.

Ice vs Heat

As mentioned, you should ice as soon as you can after an injury, however heat can also be an effective treatment for injured or sore muscles. 

Heat should be used for conditions that are more chronic such as an ongoing sore back,tight muscle pain or to help alleviate arthritis pain. Heat relaxes the muscles and tissues, while ice is used to reduce the inflammation.

When To Seek Professional Help

It is recommended that you should seek professional medical help if your injury is hindering your day to day abilities. Chronic pain, recurring pain and mobility issues are all valid reasons to start physical therapy. See a physiotherapist so you can start your road to recovery.  

Looking to Book An Appointment?

Durham Orthopedic Sports and Injury Clinic 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. For more information on our professionals click the link below. 

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