Osteoarthritis – Hip and Knee pain, a common complaint amongst female peri/post-menopausal women.
Osteoarthritis – The Surprising Truth
Sufferers of knee pain know that nothing can kill your optimism for a recovery faster than a diagnosis of Osteoarthritis (OA). We often see osteoarthritis as a kind of death sentence for joints. Many people believe that if you have OA your pain will never improve and will only get worse until a joint replacement is performed. In fact, joint replacements for hip and knee OA are some of the most common and successful operations performed by orthopedic surgeons.
At least this has been conventional wisdom for decades. Many of us see our bodies like cars, when a part ‘wears out’ it needs replacing with a new one. The truth is much more complicated, mainly because of our bodies’ incredible ability to adapt and change.
Physiotherapists have always known that the pain and disability that comes with arthritis can be improved with a closely targeted exercise program. Sometimes, the pain attributed to OA is because of another, entirely treatable cause. In other cases, strengthening the musculature around the painful joint can have a significant effect by providing the joint with extra support.
The way we move is often affected negatively by pain, and this can create a downward spiral. Sometimes, surgery is the best and most effective option to improve your quality of life. Rather that there is a strong case to see physiotherapists to seek treatment for your knee pain first.
Physiotherapists are highly skilled at identifying exactly what is causing your pain. Working with you they will help you reach the highest level of function. In fact, a recent study has shown that with targeted exercises, directed by physiotherapists; many patients who were scheduled to have surgery could improve their quality of life dramatically, avoiding surgery and getting back to their favorite activities.
While exercise is a powerful treatment, it’s not that any exercise will take away any pain. To be effective, you will need to have a full assessment and have a personalized treatment program created by your physiotherapist. This can involve identifying weak muscles, limitations in flexibility, finding painful trigger points, restoring movement to stiff joints. And providing biomechanical assessment to make a combination of changes. Planned program can make an enormous difference to your pain and activity levels.
Your physiotherapist can also identify any external factors that may contribute to your pain. Such as unsupportive footwear, workplace set up,. Talk to us to see how we can help you manage your osteoarthritis.
The Team from Symmetry Physoitherapy