Five Tips For Managing Osteoarthritis

By Dr Jill Thistlethwaite

Five Tips For Managing Osteoarthritis
Everyday ways to help you cope with this degenerative joint disease.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most chronic joint conditions in Australia and New Zealand, affecting more than two million Australians and 300,000 New Zealanders.

There are several non-medical factors that can lessen pain and disability caused by osteoarthritis, which NPS MedicineWise medical adviser Dr Jill Thistlethwaite says should be the first port of call for sufferers. “Osteoarthritis causes pain, loss of mobility and impacts quality of life,” she explains. “Some people rely on opioids for managing pain, which are not likely to be useful, but other medicines will have a role to play, including topical gels and creams. Patients should also focus on non-pharmacological management options.”

To help people with osteoarthritis stay in control and better manage their health, Dr Thistlethwaite recommends learning and implementing techniques that help to manage pain, prevent or delay complications, maintain function and improve quality of life. “These include strategies such as activity and exercise, diet, pain management, life balance, joint protection and emotional support.”

Here are Dr Thistlethwaite’s top five tips to help people with osteoarthritis reduce the impact of this condition on their daily lives.

Manage your weight

By maintaining a healthy weight, you can help prevent osteoarthritis from getting worse as well as lessen pain and disability. If you are overweight then small amounts of weight loss are shown to be beneficial. You may have noticed that carrying heavy items such as shopping makes your joints more painful – excess body weight has a similar effect. For every kilogram of body weight lost, there is up to a four kilogram reduction in the load exerted on the knee.

Be active

Many people are nervous that regular exercise might make their condition worse, but in fact exercise has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for arthritis. It can help decrease pain, fatigue and stress, and improve mobility and flexibility of joints. The best forms of exercise are low-impact options such as walking, water activities, Tai Chi, pilates, cycling and dancing. Muscle strengthening exercises are also helpful.

Try mindfulness activities

Mindfulness activities, such as meditation, have been shown to lessen arthritis pain. Changing your thoughts about pain can change how your body responds to pain. Psychological approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy can be useful in improving pain management.

 Balance your life

Careful planning and organisation of activities throughout the day can help you make the most of your energy. Some simple tips include:

  • Try to plan your day so that you can switch between periods of activity and periods of rest.
  • When you know you have a large task to do, such as preparing a meal or cleaning a room, plan ahead and break the job into smaller tasks. Then work on completing the tasks one at a time, and follow each with a rest break.
  • Try to prioritise jobs. Do the hardest jobs when you are feeling your best.

Protect your joints

Many gadgets and aids can make your daily activities simpler and less tiring if your hands are affected. These aim to protect your joints by reducing the effort you have to put in. Examples include:

  • ergonomic knives to make cutting and slicing easier
  • adapted cutlery and cooking utensils to allow easy gripping
  • equipment to help with opening jars or bottles, and turning on taps.

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