Therapy Talk: Osteoarthritis

For our first Therapy Talk we thought we would kick things off with our most requested question and that is “What is Osteoarthritis?”

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.  Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease is described as “wear and tear” arthritis. The bone basically rubs against another bone causing joint damage.  This joint damage can happen anywhere, but most commonly it happens in the hips, knees, fingers, toes, neck, and lower back.

But how does this affect me?

Did you know that Osteoarthritis affects around 27 million Americans, causing joint pain and stiffness? According to the Arthritis Foundation, people that are 65 and older are the most frequently affected with Osteoarthritis.  Their study shows that one in two adults develop Osteoarthritis in the knee during some stage of their lifetime and by age 60, one in twelve adults acquires Osteoarthritis in the hand. Additionally, by the age of 85 that number increases to one in four and will develop in the hip.

Further, the most severe cases can happen with individuals that are very tall or short. Retired NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal was required to have surgery on his big toe in 2002 and this surgery, followed by rehab allowed him to extend his career until 2011.

So what can I do to prevent or treat it?

Physical therapy is very affective approach when treating Osteoarthritis.  The importance of physical therapy is to teach the patient ways to work out stiffness without causing further damage to the joints.  When a patient chooses to avoid therapy or exercise, the stiffness and pain will only get worse.

Occupational therapy is an option for those looking for ways to reduce strain while performing daily activities.  Our Occupational Therapists can design splints for the hand(s) or wrist(s) that offer the needed support for home and workplace environments. So when you are ready to contact someone in the Russellville, Dover, Little Rock areas, please give us a call at: (479) 331-3303 or come visit us at our location: 8952 Market Street, Suite 7b, Dover, AR 72837

We look forward to seeing you soon and have a great day.