“Being physically active on a regular basis will help tremendously to keep your joints and muscle tissue healthy and managing your weight can reduce extra stress put on joints…”
Nearly a quarter of all adults in the United States experience aches and pains associated with arthritis, often with debilitating effects. The joint disease can cause stiffness, swelling and pain in areas of the body like the knees, wrists, ankles and knuckles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated one in 10 adults suffering from arthritis limit their activities because of the condition.
People living with arthritis will experience symptoms in different ways, varying from day to day. Dr. Albert Cecchini, orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon at Prevea Health, says there are things you can do to prevent arthritis from advancing.
“Being physically active on a regular basis will help tremendously to keep your joints and muscle tissue healthy and managing your weight can reduce extra stress put on joints,” says Dr. Cecchini. “Swimming and walking can be less strenuous activities to reduce arthritic pain.”
According to the CDC, walking can ultimately improve an arthritic person’s function by nearly 40%. For individuals considering surgical options for treatment of arthritis, Dr. Cecchini recommends talking to an orthopedist to learn more about advanced arthritis treatments.
“If pain is affecting your everyday tasks, and non-surgical options are not helping, there may be treatment options, surgical procedures or minimally invasive approaches for total joint, knee and hip replacement,” says Dr. Cecchini.
Other recommendations to prevent arthritis from developing or advancing include:
- Do not smoke
- Get routine preventative care
- Control your blood sugar
