Osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) are joint pain and stiffness, and problems moving the joint. Some people also have symptoms such as: – swelling – tenderness – grating or crackling sound when moving the affected joints.

Osteoarthritis often affects the knees, hips and small joints of the hands, but almost any joint can be affected.

Often described as the result of aging and wear & tear and repetitive movements and stress, in youner age it can occur due to abnormal/excessive loading to the joint or damage to the cartilage from inflammation or trauma. The protective cartilage on the ends of your bones become thinner or breaks down. This reduces the buffering and gliding effect on the bony surface of the joints causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. Bony growths (osteophytes) can develop, and the area can become red and swollen. The joints are painful and stiff with restricted movement.

Physiotherapy will help reduce the swelling and pain with electrotherapy and kinesio taping for example. Gentle movements and stretching exercises will help regain mobility and a strengthening exercise program tailored to the single patient will help reduce further damages caused by osteoarthritis.

The physiotherapist will be able to advise the patient about ways to avoid joint overload and suggest the right kind of joint support when needed.

Our goal is to support the patient to go back to the activities they like, could this be walking to the shops or playing golf. If a joint replacement can’t be avoided, a pre-habilitation program will ensure a much better result of the operation and a faster recovery.