One in five adults reports having signs of arthritis, and more people limit their daily activities due to arthritis symptoms than due to heart disease, cancer or diabetes, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Recommended self-care includes cardiovascular, range of motion and strength training to support the joints and retain movement, as well as to lessen pain. Weightlifting can be included in exercise protocols, but check with your health care provider to determine the best exercise choices for you.
Facts
Arthritis can occur in any joint in the body, including the acromioclavicular or AC joint, which sits at the outer end of your collar bone. Although this joint does not move much, it needs some flexibility to accommodate normal movement of your arm and shoulder. Doctors at the Kennedy-White Orthopaedic Center report that signs of AC arthritis include tenderness and pain in front part of the shoulder joint, clicking or snapping sounds when you move the shoulder and increased pain when you bring the arm across your chest.
Causes
Normal day-to-day activities can wear down cartilage in any joint. Add a shoulder injury, and you may experience an increase in the degeneration of the bones in the AC joint, which can lead to arthritis inflammation, according to the Sports MD website. Weightlifters seem to have an increased incidence of this type of arthritis, reports the Kennedy-White center. This may be due to repeated overhead press exercises using heavy weight.
Options
The Arthritis Foundations recommends resistance training, as it helps build muscle support around each joint. To avoid compressing the AC joint, you can perform "overhead" exercises in a different plane of movement to lessen the effects of gravity. Try using a Pilates reformer machine, which allows exercisers to lie horizontally while performing shoulder press movements with resistance. The muscles are stimulated, creating strength and growth, yet the compression is significantly reduced.
Considerations
When consulting a medical professional for arthritis symptoms, consider the specialties available to you. Orthopedists specialize in the treatment of bones, joints, ligaments and tendons, and can recommend surgical intervention. Physical therapists specialize in exercise and therapies to restore mobility, while occupational therapists specialize in exercises to restore movement for specific activities, usually for an occupation. Certified Athletic Trainers create programs to prevent and address athletic injuries.
Treatment
Anti-inflammatories, ice and heat are helpful for many arthritis suffers who need to manage pain. The next step beyond self-care options is a cortisone shot to reduce inflammation, according to the Kennedy-White center. Some AC arthritis patients resort to resection arthroplasty, a surgery that shaves off the tip of the collarbone, removing the area that is experiencing the inflammation.
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