Osteoarthritis or OA makes your joints hurt or feel stiff after you rest and after activity. Osteoarthritis is not truly a disease, but rather it is caused by deterioration of the cartilage contained in your joints. It most commonly affects the hands, low back, neck, hips and knees. OA can cause severe pain and may eventually lead to surgery. Here's what you can do.
These tips can help your joints move better and hurt less.
- If you are overweight, try to lose 5 to 10 pounds.
- Eating smaller food portions helps you lose weight.
- Be active for at least 2-3 hours a week.
- Walk, swim, or ride a bike.
- Stretch your muscles and joints.
Contact the Arthritis Foundation about a safe exercise class (water or land) near you: www. arthritis.org.
Tell your doctor if you are having severe pain or swelling in your joints.
Ask your doctor about:
What exercises you can do.
- How to lose weight.
- How to help your pain.
Ask your doctor if you need:
- X-rays
- Braces or cane.
- To see a diet specialist.
- To see physical therapist.
- To see an arthritis doctor (a rheumatologist).
Questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist:
- What types of medicine are available to treat my OA?
- How many times a day should I use my OA medicine?
- How do I use my OA medicine?
- What are the side effects of my OA medicine?
- How long will I need to use my OA medicine?
- If I forget to use my OA medicine, what should I do?
- Can I use my medicine for my OA with my other medicines?
- Are there any foods or drinks I should not have while using my OA medicine?
- What other remedy can I use if my OA medicine is not working?
My next doctor appointment is ___/__/____