Osteoarthritis

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Are your joints stiff and achy in the morning?

Are your joints stiff when you get up after sitting for a while?

Do you feel that your Joint Pain is limiting you in the activities that you can do, such as gardening,playing a round of golf, walking the dog or playing with your children or grandchildren?

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where the cartilage, which normally serves as a cushion and shock absorber in the joints, breaks down over time. This leads to the bones rubbing together, resulting in pain, swelling, and reduced movement. OA can affect any joint in your body, but it most commonly targets weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, spine, and feet. Other commonly affected joints include the hands, particularly the thumbs.

Osteoarthritis can affect people of all ages, though it is more common in people over the age of 45. Women are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis, especially after menopause, and the risk also increases with age. However, it can also occur in younger adults, particularly if they have had joint injuries or have genetic factors that predispose them to the condition.

Around 8-10% of the entire UK population lives with diagnosed Osteoarthritis, with the likelihood increasing with age – approximately 33% of people over 45 report having it.

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Although the factors that may lead

to somebody developing Arthritic symptoms are individual to that person, we know that human beings go through changes in our body, which includes joint and cartilage changes. Some of us end up having symptoms of Arthritis.

Overuse of Joints: Repetitive movements, heavy lifting, or jobs involving prolonged physical strain can wear down cartilage and lead to Osteoarthritis

Age: The risk of Osteoarthritis increases with age, as the lifetime usage on your cartilage over time becomes more pronounced.

Gender: Women, especially those who have gone through menopause, are at higher risk.

Body Imbalance: Increased body weight puts more pressure on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, accelerating cartilage breakdown.

Joint Injuries: Previous injuries or surgeries to a joint can lead to a higher likelihood of developing Osteoarthritis in that joint later in life.

Family History: A genetic predisposition to Osteoarthritis can play a role in the development of the condition.

Abnormal Joint Development: Conditions that affect the structure of the joints, such as developmental disorders or dysplasia, can contribute to Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis typically develops gradually over time. It can affect one or more joints, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. There are 4 main stages of Osteoarthritis.

Joint Pain: Having pain in any affected joints is the typical symptom of Osteoarthritis. The pain can be mild or severe and often worsens with activity or prolonged movement. The pain may ease with rest and may come and go, but it will worsen over time if it remains untreated.
Swelling: As the cartilage begins to break down, your bones can start to rub together, causing friction. This may lead to swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected joint, often making it tender to the touch.
Joint Stiffness: One of the most common signs of Osteoarthritis is stiffness in the affected joints, particularly after periods of inactivity (e.g., after waking up in the morning or sitting for long periods). Morning stiffness usually lasts less than 30 minutes.
Difficulty with Movement: People with Osteoarthritis can find that they can’t move their joint as much, which makes any kind of exercise a challenge. This can cause difficulty standing up from a seated position, bending, or doing other everyday tasks. You might even hear a grating or crunching sound when moving the affected joint.

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At Relive Physiotherapy, there are a
variety of different treatments

that can help you regain your independence and move around freely again. Depending on how advanced your symptoms are, we have the right plan for you.

Our expert Physiotherapists can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life, which is why our clients truly believe that we are Chester’s Best Clinic for Arthritis Pain.

Manual Therapy includes hands-on techniques, where we use our hands to manipulate your joints. We aim to reduce the pain, improve your joint function and restore your natural movement patterns.

Injection Therapy is often complementary to Physiotherapy for people who have Inflammatory Arthritis. Two of the most commonly used injection types are Hyaluronic Acid Injections and Corticosteroid Injections. Both of these offer relief from pain and inflammation, but they work in different ways and are often used for different purposes depending on the severity of your condition and your symptoms.

Customised Orthotics are often recommended by Physiotherapists as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for Osteoarthritis (OA), especially for people who have it on the lower joints of their bodies, such as in the knees, hips, or feet. These devices play a crucial role in providing support, alleviating pain, and improving mobility.

Acupuncture helps Osteoarthritis by reducing pain, inflammation, and improving joint mobility. It works by stimulating specific points on the body, which triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. This can reduce discomfort and muscle stiffness. Acupuncture also improves blood flow to the affected area, aiding in healing and reducing inflammation. Overall, it can help enhance joint function and quality of life when used alongside Physiotherapy.

Stretching: we will guide you through specific stretches that are tailored to you and your abilities, targeting the muscles and tissues around any affected joint. We will help restore your flexibility, to ensure that activities such as walking, standing or bending over become easier.

Joint Mobilisations are passive movements that we do on the joint to improve your flexibility and reduce any stiffness that you might have. These mobilisations are typically slow and controlled, which gradually increases the range of motion.

Active Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises are where we guide you through gentle exercises that encourage the joint to move through its normal range. These prevent further joint stiffness, maintain joint mobility and strengthen the surrounding muscles to support the joint.

Strengthening Exercises focus on building your muscle strength to support the joint and improve your overall joint function. In the case of knee Osteoarthritis, strengthening the quadriceps (front thigh muscles) can help reduce the load on the knee joint. Similarly, strengthening the muscles around the hip and spine helps with stability and reduces pain during movement.

Functional Strengthening focuses on functional exercises that mimic real-life activities. These can include squats, lunges, and other movements that target joint support in daily activities. Functional exercises also help increase endurance for walking, standing, or climbing stairs.

Core Strengthening A strong core plays a crucial role in maintaining proper posture, which can prevent excess strain on the joints, especially the lower back, hips, and knees. Core strengthening exercises such as planks, bridges, and abdominal exercises are integrated into a treatment plan to improve overall stability.

Kinesiology Taping provides support to the joint, improves circulation, and reduces swelling. The tape lifts the skin slightly, which reduces pressure on the lymphatic system and enhances fluid drainage.