Top Myths about Arthritis: Knowing the Facts Can Help You Manage it Better
Arthritis is a painful condition
that can make activities of daily living difficult, if not impossible. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the
disease, affects millions of
Americans and is caused by wear and tear on a joint. It often affects the knee or the hip.
Arizona or Southern California
would not have arthritis. Adults all over the country experience arthritis
pain. However, inclement weather is associated
with barometric pressure changes, and this may affect people with arthritis. It
does not make the condition worse per se, but it may cause a change in someone’s
level of pain.
Misconceptions about arthritis are prevalent, but knowing the facts can
help people to better manage the disease.
Here are the top myths and facts about arthritis:
1- MYTH: If you have arthritis, you shouldn’t exercise.
FACT: It may seem counterintuitive, but the appropriate exercise can help many people feel better. Certain exercises, such as swimming or the stationary bicycle,
can help relieve stiffness and alleviate pain. Physical therapy or an exercise
program to strengthen muscles around the joint can also be very helpful.
2 - MYTH: Arthritis is a disease of the elderly.
FACT: About two-thirds of patients are under 65. In fact,
increasing numbers of people in their 40’s and 50’s are feeling the aches and
pains of the degenerative bone disease.
3 - MYTH: Cold, wet climates make arthritis worse.
FACT: There is no scientific evidence supporting the theory that a
particular climate is better for people with arthritis. If a warm climate helped
or prevented arthritis, then people who lived in mild-climate states such as
4 - MYTH: There’s nothing I can do, so I’ll just have to live with
the pain
FACT: People can take measures to alleviate arthritis pain. One
strategy is to lose weight if one is carrying around excess pounds. Depending
on the weight loss, it can take quite a bit of pressure off an arthritic knee
or hip. Another recommendation is to avoid any activity, such as going up and down
stairs, which may aggravate an arthritic knee or hip. Over-the-counter or
prescription pain medication can help. No one needs to live with constant pain.
Joint replacement surgery is a tried and
true way to eliminate arthritis pain once and for all.
5 - MYTH: Supplements and drinks advertised on TV, in print and
online can cure arthritis.
FACT: Many products purport to cure arthritis. Some of them are so
bold as to claim they can regrow cartilage. Impossible. These unproven potions
and pills are a waste of money. The only
way to eliminate advanced arthritis pain is with joint replacement surgery.
6 – MYTH: Arthroscopic surgery will relieve my arthritis.
FACT: Any doctor who says arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn
cartilage or clean out a joint will relieve arthritis pain is doing a huge
disservice to a patient. This type of minimally invasive surgery does NOTHING
to relieve arthritis pain. Not only is it useless and unnecessary, but some
patients are actually worse off because their joint becomes inflamed after
surgery.
7 - MYTH: How can you have arthritis? You were fine yesterday,
how can you be in so much pain today?
FACT: People who have arthritis can feel fine one day, and
experience a flare up the next.
8 – MYTH: Even though I have painful arthritis that limits my
activities, I’m only in my 40’s, so I’m too young for joint replacement.
FACT: Newer techniques such as minimally
invasive hip and knee replacements, partial knee replacements and improved
implant materials have made joint replacement a viable option for younger
patients who want to alleviate pain and return to an active lifestyle.
For more information about arthritis,
including videos, visit www.westrichmd.com.
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