Roughly 20% of American adults suffer from arthritis, and that means they’re all at risk of suffering from the joint pain, stiffness, and impaired mobility it can cause. Despite advances in arthritis treatment, there’s still no cure — but there are things you can do to protect your joint health and slow down the progression of the disease.
At Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Thomas E. Powell, MD, and his team are committed to helping patients of all ages relieve arthritis symptoms and improve their mobility and overall quality of life. Here, learn the basics about arthritis, along with some simple tips that can help you prevent joint damage and enjoy your active lifestyle.
Arthritis is a family of more than 100 diseases that target your joints. Although they may have different causes, every type of arthritis causes joint destruction that leads to pain and mobility problems over time.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, commonly thought of as wear-and-tear arthritis. While OA is most associated with older people, it can affect younger people like athletes who lead active lives and put a lot of strain on their joints.
Your joint surfaces are protected by a layer of slick, slippery cartilage. In OA, that layer slowly breaks down, leading to increased friction and inflammation. As joint destruction continues, inflammation increases, speeding up cartilage wear and increasing your risk of mobility problems.
Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus, are autoimmune disorders that happen when the immune system attacks healthy joint tissue. Although these types differ from OA, they all attack the joints and lead to disability over time.
Even though there’s no way to cure arthritis (yet) and no way to completely prevent it from affecting your joints, there are some things you can do to minimize joint damage and slow disease progression.
In order to protect your joints, you need to get ahead of the damage arthritis can cause, and that means seeking medical care at the first sign of joint pain or stiffness. Joint clicking, “sticking” sensations, swelling, and any change in the way your joints feel or function should be evaluated, too.
Dr. Powell and his team develop arthritis treatment plans on a patient-by-patient basis, tailoring your plan to your needs, goals, and lifestyle. Sticking to that plan is essential for your joint health. It’s also important to have regular office visits so we can check your progress and make adjustments when needed..
Even a few extra pounds put a lot of extra strain on your weight-bearing joints, like your knees, hips, and spine. Losing those pounds relieves that extra strain, and it may help reduce inflammation in your joints, too.
When you sleep, you might think your body is at rest, but it’s actually hard at work repairing damaged tissues and growing new, healthy tissue. Getting 7-9 hours of good-quality sleep every night helps protect your joints, and it can also make it easier to cope with your symptoms during the day.
Arthritis involves plenty of inflammation, and making sure your diet includes lots of anti-inflammatory foods can help you keep your inflammatory response in check. Look for deeply-hued fruits like berries, leafy green vegetables, and healthy oils, like olive oil or avocado oil. Drink plenty of water to keep your joints lubricated, too.
Without proper treatment, arthritis can take a big toll on your activity and your quality of life. To learn how we can help you protect your joints and prevent arthritis progression, call 205-606-5232 or request an appointment online with Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, today.
