Osteoarthritis

Nearly everyone knows someone with osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disease often related to factors you can’t change, like the natural aging process. Joint injection specialist Ariel Curtis, FNP-C, at Joint Health Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina, can develop a treatment strategy to prevent OA from taking over your life. Call the office to schedule a visit or book an appointment online today.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones inside your joints. When healthy, the cartilage is slick and smooth, helping maintain frictionless, pain-free movement of a joint, as it prevents bones from rubbing against one another.

But if you have OA, your cartilage begins to deteriorate. This reduces its cushioning effects and impedes smooth movement within the joint. OA is a progressive condition that most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine, eventually leading to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Why does osteoarthritis happen?

Several factors contribute to the development of osteoarthritis:

Age

The risk increases as you get older because cartilage naturally thins and wears over time.

Joint injury or overuse

Repeated stress from sports, work, or hobbies like gardening can accelerate cartilage breakdown.

Genetics

A family history of OA may increase your risk for this degenerative disease.

Excess weight

Carrying extra weight increases your risk of OA in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.

Can you prevent osteoarthritis?

OA is often part of aging, and you can’t really stop that clock. But it’s not just age-related wear-and-tear that plays a role in inflammation and joint damage.

Thus, many treatments for OA also focus on preventing worsening of the disease by maintaining joint health. This includes adopting a joint-friendly lifestyle.

For instance, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can ease joint pressure and improve mobility. Low-impact activities like yoga, swimming, and walking strengthen muscles and support joints.

Wearing supportive shoes, using aids like kneepads when gardening, and avoiding prolonged standing or sitting, or repetitive activities without a break can also help preserve your joint health.   

A joint-friendly diet can reduce inflammation and may even decrease joint stiffness and pain. Foods to keep on the menu include salmon, trout, broccoli, leafy greens, and yogurt.

Starting these healthy habits early, before your joints rebel against overuse or poor nutrition, can help prevent OA from interfering with the active life you crave.

It’s also essential that you listen to your body and check in with a specialist before joint stiffness and pain become part of your daily routine.

Early intervention can stall the process and prevent debilitating joint damage. Schedule an evaluation at Joint Health Solutions today by calling the office or reaching out online to request an appointment.

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