Osteoarthritis

1
Osteoarthritis
2
What Is Osteoarthritis (OA)?

• A degenerative joint disease
• -Targets the cartilage which is a slippery tissue
  at the ends of the bones that meet in a joint.
• -Healthy cartilage helps bones glide over one
  another.
• -With osteoarthritis the cartilage is damaged and
  eventually breaks down and wears away.
• -This results in the bones rubbing against one
  another and causing pain, swelling, and loss of
  ROM.
• 20 million Americans are affected
• More common in women than men
• Most common in the 65 and older population

3
Contributing Factors

• Does Not
• Recent research shows that osteoarthritis is not
  a natural by-product of aging but age can make an
  individual more susceptible.
• Does
• Family history of OA
• Being overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Old injuries and some medical conditions
• Developmental deformities
• Race
• Weak muscles
• Hormones (women)
• Repetitive motions over long periods of time-some
  jobs and sports
• Diet

4
Red Flags

• The signs of OA include
• -Steady or intermittent joint pain.
• -Joint stiffness after sitting, sleeping, or
  periods of not moving for a long time
• Swelling or tenderness in the joints.
• A crunching feeling or the sound of bones
  rubbing against each other.
• If you are experiencing any of these
• symptoms talk to your health care
• provider. Prevention and early interventions
• are extremely beneficial in improving
• -Function
• -Managing pain
• -Preventing further degeneration

5
Diagnosing Osteoarthritis

• OA is diagnosed through a combination of
• Clinical history
• Patient examination
• X-rays
• MRI
• Ruling out if other medical conditions
• Joint aspiration- drawing fluid from the joint
  may be used

6
Should You Exercise?

• Exercise is actually recommended in both
  prevention and treating OA.
• It aids in strengthening the muscular support
  around the joints.
• Increases and maintains joint function and ROM.
• Physical activity helps to achieve a healthy
  weight- even 10lbs overweight can make a
  significant difference.
• Improves mood and self-esteem.
• Helps to manage stress levels.
• Reduces pain.
• Overall healthier body.

7
Exercise Tips

• If you have Osteoarthritis
• Low-impact or non-weight bearing exercises
  walking, stationary biking, and light resistance
  training (good form is important).
• Make your exercise purposeful. Target key muscle
  groups that are specifically related to the
  functioning of the joints that have been weakened
  by the degeneration.
• If you are overweight or have been sedentary it
  is important to slowly ease into an exercise
  routine to prevent injury. Start with a little
  and build overtime.
• Be cautious of not overloading knee and ankle
  joints.
• Water aerobics and theraband workouts and other
  similar exercises help keep the joints mobile
  without straining them.
• Listen to your body if you need to slow down,
  rest, or stop. It is always better to stop and
  consult with your healthcare provider or an
  exercise professional if you are unsure.

8
Diet

• A diet play a critical role in healthy weight
  management, managing symptoms, and preventing
  further damage and degeneration.
• Fruits and Vegetables
• -Rich in Vitamin C are recommended Fruit
  juices, strawberries, raw red pepper, tomatoes,
  broccoli, kiwi, leafy greens, cantaloupe, raw
  cauliflower , guavas , etc.
• -Known to reduce inflammation Celery, garlic,
  lemons, papaya and pineapples.

9
Diet

•  Ginger
• Ginger is a tangled root that is known for its
  medicinal characteristics.
• Several studies have indicated that ginger can
  reduce pain and inflammation.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Helps prevent and reduce inflammation
• Salmon, tuna, flax seed, walnuts, etc.
• Water
• Every system in your body depends on water.
• "8 x 8 rule" drink eight 8-ounce glasses of
  water a day (about 1.9 liters).
• Supplements
• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin sulfate

10
Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic

• Chiropractors can help detect early
• signs of degeneration and warning
• signs of osteoarthritis in the
• Spine
• Hips
• Knees
• Other weight-bearing joints

11
Prevention, Management, Treatment

• Chiropractors receive training in relieving pain
• and improving joint function through
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Trigger-point therapy
• Soft-tissue work
• Laser
• Exercise and health counseling
• Hot and cold therapy
• Supplements
• Other natural therapies

Chiropractors can play an important role in
helping to facilitate treatment, management, and
prevention of osteoarthritis and personalize the
care to your unique needs as an individual.
12
Sources

• http//www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283
• http//www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/osteoarthritis-
  000118.htm
• http//www.utmedicalcenter.org/news/435/food-for-t
  hought-a-brain-healthy-diet/
• http//www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vitamin
  -C.php
• http//www.livestrong.com/article/444867-osteoarth
  ritis-diet-recommendations/
• http//www.arthritistoday.org/conditions/osteoarth
  ritis/all-about-oa/osteoarthritis-diagnosed.php  
• Schetchikova, N., Adams, A., Flanagan, J.,
  Jahn, W., Perle, S.
• Living With Osteoarthritis 2006. Journal of
  the American Chiropractic
• Association.

13
Thank You