Osteoarthritis prevention tips from experts

Osteoarthritis or OA in short is a medical condition that negatively affects the joints in the human body.

Every joint in the human body is covered by cartilage. Cartilage is like a cap over the bone that is smooth in nature and prevents friction on the movement of the joint i.e. the cartilage prevents the joints from rubbing against one another.

The cartilage also offers a cushioning effect when the joints of the human body are moving whenever a person partakes in physical work-related or leisure activities.

Osteoarthritis takes place when the cartilage in the joints of the human body breaks down due to wear and tear. The most common symptoms of OA are –

• Chronic pain
• Excessive swelling in and around the affected joint(s) and
• A sharp drop in the normal mobility of the affected individual.

Causes for OA

Lakhs of people in India and the rest of the world suffer from OA. The primary causes of OA are –

• Age of the person – The overall quality and elasticity of cartilage that covers and protects the joints of the human body deteriorates as the human body ages. Hence, people above the age of 60 tend to show early signs of OA as a natural process of wear and tear in the body.
• Hereditary inheritance of the disease – OA could be passed down through generations of the affected person.
• Gender of the person – Women who have been through menopause are at higher risks of getting diagnosed with OA as their ability to produce oestrogen reduces. Oestrogen is a hormone that performs a plethora of functions in the human body. One of them is to promote bone health.

Some effective osteoarthritis prevention tips from experts

OA is yet to be a curable disease with medication, however, replacement of the damaged joint is a very viable option in current modern medicine. The progression of the disease can be kept in check with the following tips mentioned below.

Occupational activities that exert excessive pressure on your joints should be avoided

As per the professional opinion of the best knee surgeon in Mumbai, people who have jobs that compel them to perform repetitive physical activities are at higher risks of getting diagnosed with OA.

Doctors often recommend people who are showing early symptoms of OA to limit –

• Kneeling
• Lifting heavy objects
• Twisting their joints often and
• Excessive walking.

Regular low-impact exercise can help

One of the best ways to keep OA at bay is to make sure that one takes part in low-impact exercise regularly. One should undertake strength training and stretching exercises in a bid to arrest the progression of OA.

Regular low-impact exercise can also help a person to –

• Maintain the overall health of their joints
• Relieve stiffness in their joints (if any)
• Reduce chronic joint pain
• Keep fatigue at bay
• Enhance the strength of their muscles and bones.

Take some time off when your joints and muscles are aching excessively

If one notices that their joints are swollen and aching then they must need to subject their body to at least 24 hours of rest time. This simple step will help the swollen joints heal and at the same time, let the person reduce the risk of progression of disease.

Keep your blood sugar under control

One should keep their blood sugar levels under control as excessive blood sugar can stiffen the joint cartilage. People who are diabetic need to take extra care as high blood glucose levels can also trigger instances of joint inflammations which results in loss of joint cartilage!

In simple words, keep blood sugar levels under control to prevent or arrest OA. It is as simple as that!

Keep your BMI under control

Obesity and excessive body weight expedite the progress of OA and increase the chances of contracting the disease according to the best knee surgeon in Mumbai.

Hence, obese individuals need to take measures to bring their Body Mass Index down to the recommended levels in a bid to arrest the deterioration of joint cartilage. Keeping body weight under control can also help one to keep chronic joint pain at bay.

Conclusion

Please note that the tips mentioned in this post are collected from the professional opinions of several reputed orthopaedic surgeons in India. However, this post is not to be confused with medical advice as the writer of this post is not a medical professional. For the best results, consult with a revered orthopaedic doctor in your vicinity today.

For more details, consult with Dr Gautam Tawari – the top Orthopaedic Sports Surgeon in Mumbai. To book an appointment, you can call +91 9833944575 or send an email to gautamtawari@gmail.com.