Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease affecting the cartilage in your joints. The cushion that separates the bones in a joint wears down, causing pain, tenderness, stiffness and loss of flexibility. Eventually, it can even result in a loss in the range of motion in the affected joint. Since no cure exists for this medical condition, treatment revolves around minimizing its symptoms. Medical professionals often recommend working with a physical therapist to establish an individualized exercise plan.
Evidence
A study reported in the December 2005 Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association shows great promise that mobility exercises are an effective approach to treatment of osteoarthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the knee. Through the course of the study, patients were given a series of exercises to perform regularly. Half of these patients also took part in physical therapy during the analysis. Both groups saw an improvement in WOMAC scores after just four weeks. Those patients involved with exercise and physical therapy improved their WOMAC scores by an average 45 percent, while those using exercise alone saw a 24 percent improvement.
WOMAC
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, or WOMAC, is a standardized assessment of pain, stiffness and physical function of individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis. It assigns a numerical score to measure the health status and ability to engage in day-to-day activities in people with this condition. In relation to the study, the improvement in WOMAC scores means that patients saw not only an increase in physical functioning, but also a decrease in both pain and stiffness associated with the disease.
Exercises
The exercises that provided the most improvement were range-of-motion exercises, muscle strengthening, muscle stretching and riding a stationary bike. Range-of-motion, or ROM, exercises include basic knee extensions, with and without resistance. Muscle strengthening entails weighted knee extensions, seated leg press, partial squats and step-ups. With muscle stretching, patients isolate and stretch the calves, hamstrings and quadriceps.
Other Treatments
Besides mobility exercises, it's also important to use other modes of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Weight management can help relieve any undue stress excess pounds are placing on the affected joint. Pain medications can also help to ease the discomfort of osteoarthritis. Even resting the painful or stiff joint can be of benefit, namely in between exercise.
Recommendation
Before taking part in range-of-motion exercises or muscle strengthening, consult your doctor. Though these activities show promise in relieving pain and stiffness as well as improving physical function of the affected joint, your health, fitness and severity of condition may preclude this form of treatment or require a brace, splint or other medical device to engage in exercise.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Osteoarthritis
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Osteoarthritis
- "Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association": Physical Therapy Treatment Effectiveness for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Comparison of Supervised Clinical Exercise and Manual Therapy Procedures Versus a Home Exercise Program
- PubMed.gov: Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
