Affecting over 33 million Americans, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. This degenerative joint disease is sometimes referenced as “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, and knees.
With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes usually develop slowly and get worse over time. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. In some cases it also causes reduced function and disability; some people are no longer able to do daily tasks or work. Signs and symptoms of OA including swelling, decreased range of motion, stiffness and pain.
While there is no cure for OA, you can receive a diagnosis of it from your primary doctor or rheumatologist through a review of symptoms, physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests. Some simple activities can reduce the symptoms. These recommendations include:
Get Moving:
- Increasing physical activity
- Physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises
- Weight loss if needed as excess weight can stress the joints.
- Medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers including Salonpas Arthritis Pain Relief Gel, Salonpas Pain Relief Large, the first FDA approved OTC topical pain reliever, Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch, Salonpas Jet Spray, and Salonpas DEEP Relieving Gel.
Being physically active can reduce pain, improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. Joint-friendly physical activities are low-impact, which puts less stress on the body. Examples of joint-friendly activities include walking, biking and swimming.