Arthritis is pain in the joints, which can greatly slow you down from living your life. Most folks would rather avoid it altogether if possible. But is it possible to prevent arthritis altogether?
Chris Krouse, DO, orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon at Avera Orthopedics in Mitchell, says that’s a tough question because the wearing down of cartilage is inevitable for everyone, but the rate of deterioration depends on the person, their health habits and overall lifestyle.
What Causes Arthritis?
People get arthritis over time due to overuse, sedentary lifestyle or musculoskeletal injuries. Some of the early signs of arthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Swelling and warmth around the joints
- Limited range of motion
At more advanced stages, the progressive loss of cartilage between the joints may prevent you from fully moving your joints, making it difficult to bend over at the waist or fully bend your knee, hip or fingers.
Read more: The difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Ways to Slow Down Arthritis
While prevention may not be possible for everyone, you can slow down development. Krouse suggests seven key areas to focus on.
- Stretching – Keep your ligaments and joints flexible with a few minutes of stretching. Not only does it help your joints, but it also can prevent a life-changing injury.
- Cross-training – Doing different workouts, known as cross-training, prevents you from using the same joints day after day. Pilates, Zumba, walking, swimming, short spurts of jogging, martial arts and line dancing offer both fitness and fun.
- Low-impact workouts – Movements such as walking and swimming give you the exercise you need with very little strain on your joints.
- Physical therapy – If you have a job with repetitive movements, physical therapy can keep joints strong and limber. The great thing about physical therapy is that a certified expert understands and guides your treatment plan.
- No nicotine – Ingesting toxins from drugs, alcohol and nicotine products are, overall, a detriment to every part of your health.
- Balanced diet – Arthritis is a condition of inflammation. Choose foods that promote a reduction of inflammation: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats and dairy. In addition, eating a whole foods diet can help you maintain a healthy weight for your frame, which puts less pressure on your joints.
- Supplements – If you’d like to add a little more oomph to your joint care routine, turmeric and fish oil supplements are known to have joint-protecting qualities.
“Your health is a series of choices,” said Krouse. “What you choose today can positively or negatively impact your future health.”
Consult with your primary care provider about any additions you make to your diet or lifestyle. If you would like to talk about arthritis or joint pain, schedule an appointment with an Avera Orthopedics provider near you.
