“ARTHRITIS is just a part of aging” – MYTH
FACT
The idea that getting older means living with joint pain is probably one of the most persistent arthritis myths out there. Yet arthritis isn’t a natural part of aging, and older people aren’t the only ones who get arthritis. Even children get arthritis. It is true that your chances of getting osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, increase with age. One reason is simply that older joints have had more wear and tear. Although there’s nothing we can do about growing older, there is a lot we can do about the other OA risk factors.
“You can’t prevent osteoarthritis” – MYTH
FACT
For some, arthritis is in the genes; if one of your parents has osteoarthritis- particularly in the hands- chances are good you will, too. For the rest of us, the most common causes of OA can point us toward a path of prevention:
Obesity plays a huge role in raising your risks of developing osteoarthritis, especially for osteoarthritis of the knee. That’s because the heavier you are, the more stress you put on your joints. For each 1-pound increase in weight, the force across the knee joint increases by 2 -3 pounds. To lower your chances of getting OA, lose weight if you’re overweight, and then maintain a healthy weight when you get there.
Overuse or injury also raises your risk of developing OA. According to the Arthritis Foundation, athletes and people whose jobs require repetitive motion have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis because of joint stress and injury. High-intensity sports such as running, which directly impact joints, seem to increase the risk of osteoarthritis. The key to prevention? Avoid injuries, and modify movements so your joints are stressed less. For high-impact sports, gradually increase your training schedule and avoid high-impact activities if your joints are injured.
Muscle weakness is another risk factor for OA. In particular, some studies show that weakness of the muscles surrounding the knee (quadriceps) can raise your risks of injury and knee osteoarthritis.
Other types of arthritis and conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, can also increase your chances of developing OA.
“You can’t be physically active when you have arthritis” – MYTH
FACT
The idea that you can’t exercise or be active once you’ve got OA is another arthritis myth that’s overstayed its welcome.
You should be physically active, when you have arthritis. Not only will appropriate activities decrease your OA pain, they can improve range of motion, function, and reduce disability. A bonus: Regular activity helps you achieve, and then maintain, a healthy weight.
The key to getting all of these exercise benefits- and protecting your joints- is to keep activities low impact. So skip the joint-pounding pain of a marathon, and opt instead for biking, walking, and aquatic activities. And remember to first consult your doctor before starting any arthritis fitness program.
“Losing as little as 5 pounds can make a big difference to OA symptoms” – MYTH
FACT
For every pound you gain, you add 2-3 pounds of pressure across your knees. So even a small weight loss can produce drastic changes, reducing osteoarthritis symptoms and pain. If people just lost a little weight- just 5 or 10 pounds- it’ll make a big difference to the progression of the disease.
“ARTHRITIS Is not a serious health problem” – MYTH
FACT
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability. Fortunately you can make sure you’re not an arthritis statistic. You
can start today by eating right, exercising, and taking care of your body. People sort of accept arthritis but we should make it unacceptable.