Do you suffer from joint pain, swelling or stiffness in your knees or hips? Has this pain stopped you from exercising or living a more active lifestyle? If the answer is ‘yes’, you are not alone.
1 in 5 Australians over the age of 45 are currently living with osteoarthritis (OA).
In July 2018, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners published new guidelines for the management of OA. These guidelines confirm that exercise and weight management should be the first treatments recommended by all General Practitioners (GPs) and Health Professionals treating patients with OA.
Land-Based Exercise
Regular land-based exercise is strongly recommended for improving pain and function for all people with knee or hip OA, regardless of age, disease severity or pain levels. Land-based exercises may include walking, muscle strengthening and specifically, Tai Chi.
You may be thinking, “I can’t exercise because it causes me pain!”
Exercise programs can be tailored to minimise pain while improving physical function. Before commencing any exercise, it is important to consult a qualified Health Professional.
An individualised exercise program can be designed based on your symptoms, physical capability and personal preferences.
Don’t be scared! Your exercise program won’t involve running marathons or lifting heavy weights.
Weight Management
Weight management has also been identified as one of the best treatments for people with knee or hip OA. Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for the onset and progression of OA. Symptomatic benefits can be achieved with a weight loss of just 5% of total body weight.
Again, weight loss should be combined with a guided exercise program following consultation with a qualified GP or Health Professional.
Additional Treatments
Several other treatments have also been identified as having some benefit for OA. The following treatments should be used only in combination with land-based exercise and/or weight management, not as stand-alone treatments themselves:
– Heat therapy
– Stationary cycling
– Aquatic exercise or hydrotherapy
– Massage or manual therapy
– Some forms of medication, including oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatories ## How We Can Help
If you are living with OA, a Physiotherapist can help kick-start your journey to a more pain-free and active lifestyle. Following a detailed discussion about your symptoms, functional limitations and personal goals, your physiotherapist will work with you to design a personalised treatment program. Physiotherapists can also communicate with your GP and any other relevant Health Professionals to ensure you receive the best treatment possible.
