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Featured Article
Tips for Reducing Joint Pain and Restoring Mobility
Osteoarthritis refers to a category of conditions that all involve degradation of the joints. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, creaking, locking of joints, and sometimes swelling. For many people with osteoarthritis, it is an incredibly 
painful and debilitating condition. It is the leading cause of chronic disability in the United States, and about 1 in 13 people in the US and Canada has osteoarthritis [1,2].
Treatment of osteoarthritis can involve many different options. Many people get pain relief and increased mobility by using one or more types of treatments. The most common ones include:
- Physical/occupational Therapy
- Supplements
- Medication
- Lifestyle Modification
- Exercise
- Posture Changes
Click here to read our educational article about osteoarthritis
Physical/Occupational Therapy, Lifestyle Modification, and Exercise:
Physical and occupational therapy is an excellent recommendation for the treatment of osteoarthritis. There is extensive evidence that many modalities of physical and occupational therapy treatment such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, low-level laser therapy, and exercise can reduce pain [9,10]. Physical and occupational therapists can educate patients on self-management techniques and lifestyle modifications that can improve quality of life. Lifestyle modification includes things such as exercise, weight loss, appropriate rest, activity changes, and the use of mechanical aids for support (i.e.: braces, splints, canes.) Education that brings about a lifestyle change has been shown to provide 20% more pain relief than the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) alone [11].
At Therapy Specialists Inc, we can can also advise you on the use of other simple modalities such as ice, heat or relaxation techniques which some patients with osteoarthritis find very useful in decreasing pain and improving mobility.
Exercise has been shown to be very useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis [9,10.] It is wise to consult a physical or occupational therapist before beginning any exercise program or to obtain an osteoarthritic specific and individualized program for you. As reduced muscle strength and poorly aligned joints can lead to the progression of osteoarthritis an appropriate exercise regimen is essential. Studies show that a properly planned land-based exercise program can reduce pain and increase function in those with osteoarthritis of the knee [9,10].
Vitamin Supplements:
The common supplements used to treat osteoarthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine is one of the most common supplements used by adults overall. It is obtained from the shells of sea crustaceans; mainly shrimp and crabs. Chondroitin, which is frequently used in conjunction with glucosamine, is another building block of cartilage in joints. Whether taken separately or together, these supplements have been shown to decrease the pain associated with osteoarthritis [3,4]. In some patients, the pain reduction is comparable to taking a NSAID like Ibuprofen or Naproxen [4]. Glucosamine has also proven effective in slowing the progression of the condition [3]. Other supplements that are used to treat of osteoarthritis include hyaluronic acid, MSM, turmeric or curcumin, devil's claw and ginger.
Medication:
Certain medications have also been shown to be effective in the treatment of this condition. Acetaminophen is the most widely recommended drug [5]; however there has been evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, liver damage and kidney damage when taken for extended periods of time [6]. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen are more effective than acetaminophen; however the risk of side effects is greater [7]. They can affect the intestinal tract causing upset stomach, cramping, diarrhea, and ulcers. For severe pain, an opioid such as codeine or morphine might be prescribed. All these medications can relieve pain, and are the common choice for most people. The benefits of the medications can outweigh the risks and side effects in some cases [8].
If you are suffering from osteoarthritis, you are not alone. The professional occupational and physical therapists at Therapy Specialists Inc would be happy to further educate you regarding the benefits of occupational and thysical therapyy for this condition and develop a personal treatment and exercise program just for you.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevalence of disabilities and associated health conditions among adults--United States, 1999. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2001 Feb 23;50(7):120-5.
2. Sun J, Gooch K, Svenson LW, Bell NR, Frank C. Estimating osteoarthritis incidence from population-based administrative health care databases. Ann Epidemiol. 2007 Jan;17(1):51-6.
3. Gregory PJ, Sperry M, Wilson AF. Dietary supplements for osteoarthritis. Am Fam Physician. 2008 Jan 15;77(2):177-84.
4. Bijlsma JW. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate as a possible treatment for osteoarthritis. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002 Sep 28;146(39):1819-23.
5. Zhang W, Moskowitz RW, Nuki G, Abramson S, Altman RD, Arden N, et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, part I: critical appraisal of existing treatment guidelines and systematic review of current research evidence. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Sep;15(9):981-1000.
6. Zhang W, Moskowitz RW, Nuki G, Abramson S, Altman RD, Arden N, et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Feb;16(2):137-62.
7. Towheed TE, Maxwell L, Judd MG, Catton M, Hochberg MC, Wells G. Acetaminophen for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jan 25;(1):CD004257.
8. Bradley JD, Brandt KD, Katz BP, Kalasinski LA, Ryan SI. Comparison of an anti-inflammatory dose of ibuprofen, an analgesic dose of ibuprofen, and acetaminophen in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 1991 Jul 11;325(2):87-91.
9. Fransen M, McConnell S, Bell M. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(3)
10. Jamtvedt G, Dahm KT, Christie A, Moe RH, Haavardsholm E, Holm I, Hagen KB. Physical therapy interventions for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: an overview of systematic reviews. Phys Ther. 2008 Jan;88(1):123-36.
11. Hip Pain and Mobility Deficits – Hip Osteoarthritis: Clinical Practice Guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009;39(4):A1-A25.
