What is Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It is a condition that affects the whole joint including the muscles, bones, cartilage and ligaments. It is more common in older people but can affect younger people as well. The joints most often affected by OA are the hips, knees, hands and feet. Some of the joint structures can become damaged and symptoms of OA may develop. The symptoms of OA can vary from person to person and can include persistent pain and problems moving the joint.

HOW DOES EXERCISE HELP WITH OA?

Pain can make people avoid activity and this can lead to muscle weakness, feelings of joint instability, more pain and other health problems. Staying active and keeping muscles strong can help with pain and stop the cycle of decline. Therefore, exercise is one of the most important treatments for OA. All OA clinical guidelines recommend exercise as an important part of keeping joints moving and healthy.

Exercise can relieve OA symptoms of the knee and hip just as well as pain medications, but it is safer and has fewer side effects. The benefits of exercise are many, including feeling less pain, maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the load on painful joints, being able to do more, and having better general health.

Exercise can help to:

• pain

• muscle strength to support and stabilize affected joints

• joint movement and flexibility

• balance

• weight to reduce the load on sore joints

• ability to do daily tasks

• well being, sleep and mood