By Dr. Monica Pearl, MD CCFP FCFP
Medical Director, Wellpoint Health Services

As we age, many of us develop achiness in our joints. The achiness could be a sign of osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis.

How do I know if my achy joints are caused by osteoarthritis? One clue may be the type of ache you are experiencing. Joint stiffness that is better in the morning and worsens as the day goes on could be osteoarthritis. Another clue is the location. Osteoarthritis commonly affects weight bearing joints, including the spine, hips, knees and feet. Another common area is the joints of the hands, which may look thickened and bumpy on the sides. There may be pain, stiffness and swelling that evolves over time. Your physician may choose to x-ray the joint or order blood tests to determine if you have osteoarthritis.

How can I prevent osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can be attributed to a number of factors, including aging, heredity, injury, other types of arthritis, and obesity. Although most of those are unavoidable, body weight is one risk factor that is under our control. Keeping your body mass index (BMI) below 25 reduces the weight load on a joint and limits the damage to the joint from osteoarthritis.

If I do have osteoarthritis, what can I do to reduce the pain?

  • Weight loss is key. If your body mass index (BMI) is currently over 25, losing weight can lower the stress on the joints and lessen the damage to the joints over time.
  • Exercise can also help. Due to pain, you may be inclined to avoid using a joint. But underuse will cause muscles around the joint to atrophy and weaken. It is vital to exercise and strengthen the surrounding muscles. Exercise will also help you to sleep better and lose weight. A physiotherapist, chiropractor or athletic personal trainer can teach you the exercises to maximize the time you spend exercising for greatest results.
  • Use your body efficiently. Use your stronger joints to carry heavier loads. For example, carry your golf bag with a shoulder strap over your shoulder instead of by the handle. Pace yourself by alternating repetitive tasks with a rest break.
  • Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are used in mild cases to relieve pain. Often, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). NSAID in a cream form is available for the knees. In certain cases, injections can be used to relieve painful joints.
  • In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to “clean out” or replace a joint.

Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, you can take action to manage your symptoms by maintaining a healthy weight and proper exercise program. As always, consult with your physician to discuss the best course of exercise, rest and medicine to treat your osteoarthritis.