10 Tips for osteoarthritis in older people

The Spanish Society of Rheumatology has prepared a catalog of 10 recommendations for patients with osteoarthritis, in order that they can better understand their disease and improve their quality of life.

1. Maintain a correct body weight

Obesity is one of the causes of the disease and also makes it progress more quickly. If you are obese or overweight, start some diet program make you lose weight; your doctor can help you in this regard. No special diets are necessary, nor are there foods that are completely prohibited in this disease. A low calorie diet is sufficient.

2. Heat and cold

In general heat is more beneficial in osteoarthritis. It can be applied at home, with a electric blanket or water bag hot placed on. They relieve pain and relax the muscles. Sometimes, the joint affected by osteoarthritis can have an intense inflammatory flare and, on those occasions, it is useful apply local cold using ice packs or cold baths.

3. Medication

There are many types of medications that can be beneficial in this disease. exist pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, gels and creams, but also local infiltrations that can prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. However, it must be your GP or rheumatologist who decides, at each stage of evolution, which is the most suitable for you. Don't self-medicate. The so-called alternative therapies - such as acupuncture, osteopathy, medicinal herbs ... - have not been scientifically proven to be effective, but if you want to use them, consult your doctor first to avoid problems.

4. Postural habits

Sleep on a flat bed. Avoid sitting on sunken armchairs or sofas and use straight-backed chairs where your hips and knees are in a natural position and your feet are in contact with the floor.

5. Exercise

Exercise protects the joint and increases muscle strength. Reducing mobility to the maximum makes the person suffering from osteoarthritis become dependent on others. Walking, cycling, and swimming are good, but contact sports or high-stress sports are less recommended. There are also specific exercises for each joint that is affected by the disease; ask your GP or rheumatologist for them and do them daily.

6. Rest

It is not contradictory to the previous point. Osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs with intermittent periods of pain and it is during these phases of greatest pain that relative rest is beneficial. It is also good to intersperse small periods of rest during activities of daily life.

7. Avoid overloading the joints

Do not take excessive weights, try not to walk on uneven terrain and not stand excessively without resting. Use a cart to carry your purchases. If you have osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, using a walking stick reduces stress on those joints.

8. Proper footwear

If you have lumbar, hip or knee osteoarthritis, you should wear thick-soled shoes that absorb the force of the impact of the foot against the ground when walking. This can also be achieved with insoles or silicone heels that are placed on the shoe. Do not wear shoes with an excessive heel; it is preferable to wear flat shoes or with a slight heel.

9. Spas

The spas apply mineral-medicinal waters, generally thermal, for the treatment of osteoarthritis. With this they manage to improve pain and relax the contractured muscles. The so-called SPA centers (health through water) perform aesthetic and relaxation treatments through the use of water that, however, does not have mineral-medicinal characteristics like that of spas. Both ways can be useful in osteoarthritis.

10. Keep a positive attitude

Osteoarthritis, despite everything, allows you to maintain a complete personal and family life, with very few limitations. In the more advanced and worse evolution cases, there are surgical treatments that can solve the problem. Osteoarthritis per se does not affect life and progress in its research and treatment is continuous.