Non-Invasive
Treatments for Osteoarthritis Pain
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed when cartilage at the ends of
bones has become worn down by wear and tear and/or the aging process. Healthy
cartilage acts as a shock absorber for joints, as bones move against one
another or are affected by daily activities. Knees and hips are especially
vulnerable to osteoarthritis.
Once diagnosed, patients should make extra accommodations to prevent further
knee or hip injury from occurring.
By taking preventative measures, and maximizing the benefits
of non-invasive treatments such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications,
patients can often avoid surgical treatments later on.
Diet
Diet is crucial to maintaining bone and joint health. The
body is constantly replenishing depleted and damaged tissues with vitamins and
nutrients via the blood supply. A deficient diet does not provide adequate
nutrition, in which case bones and joints will suffer. Osteoarthritis patients
should focus on eating a well-balanced diet, full of vitamin- and mineral-rich
fruits and vegetables. It is a good idea to discuss bone- and joint-specific
supplements with a doctor. Many supplements, such as calcium, vitamin D and
magnesium, help bones to build and maintain density. Others, such as
chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, have been shown to improve joint health
and alleviate pain.
Exercise
Patients with OA often avoid exercise due to painful joints
and/or a fear of a severe joint injury. Unfortunately, a lack of exercise is
often responsible for falls, breaks and pain. Exercise
can actually alleviate joint pain. Bones require weight-bearing exercises to
continue building density. Even low-impact weight-bearing activities such as
weight lifting, yoga or Pilates are beneficial. Walking, water aerobics, and
dance classes are examples of exercises that can help to improve balance and
range of motion.
Balance is critical in avoiding falls, which are the leading
cause of hip injuries. Flexibility is also important, so OA patients should
always stretch before exercising and/or include exercises that emphasize
stretching such as yoga, Tai Chi or certain dance styles.
Modifications
Simple modifications can slow down OA damage and/or prevent
falls, including:
- Custom-made orthotic inserts can be used to help
cushion knees, hips and the lower back from the impact of walking or jogging.
This can help to slow the damage to joints and can also help to reduce joint
pain.
- Handrails should be installed, and used, in
high-risk fall areas such as stairways, bathrooms and showers.
Focusing on bone and joint health is critical to managing
the pain of OA and preventing further injury.
Medical Device
Recalls
Some patients have not been as fortunate and were not able
to avoid surgery. Recent medical device recalls should have these osteoarthritis
patients on high alert. For example, Stryker Corporation, a major joint
replacement manufacturer, has recently recalled its Stryker Rejuvenate. The Rejuvenate
is one of Stryker's "latest and greatest" innovations designed for hip
replacement surgery.
Unfortunately, the device has been linked to high numbers of
health complications. This is just one of several recalls. Rather than healing
a patient's hip injury, hip
replacement surgery can mean further tissue damage, metal toxicity and/or
revision surgeries. Osteoarthritis patients can reduce osteoarthritis-related
hip pain, and the chances of hip injury resulting in surgical interventions, by
using non-invasive treatments.
Elizabeth Carrollton writes about defective medical
devices and dangerous drugs for Drugwatch.com.
