Osteoarthritis (OA)

It’s an inflammatory condition that affects the tissue around any joint but is most common in knees and hips. Common presentations include damage to the joint cartilage, bony spurs or deterioration of ligaments and tendons. Symptoms vary from person to person but the most common are pain and stiffness of the joints. As the condition progresses, symptoms can become worse and may affect your ability to perform normal daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs and opening jars. While there is no cure for OA, management of pain symptoms and potential future “flare- ups” in pain is important.

Several factors may put you at an increased risk of developing OA in certain joints, such as:

• Being overweight

• Previous knee/ hip surgeries

• Jobs involving repetitive joint strain/ trauma

• A family history of OA

• Previous injuries or repetitive use of hands

Pain can present itself as the main barrier to the beginning and maintaining a regular exercise program. An individualised and graded exercise program prescribed by an accredited exercise physiologist can help manage your OA. We can assist in identifying a program that suits you, minimises pain while gradually progressing you towards a level that provides the best health benefits.