Get Actively Involved!
Managing your osteoarthritis means caring for more than just your joints. It means eating well, exercising, and learning how you can continue to enjoy everyday life.
It’s not just about getting active. It’s about getting actively involved in the management of your osteoarthritis.
Self-management means that you take an active role in your care. It’s about taking responsibility for your health and wellness in a way that goes beyond your sore joints. It includes exercising, taking care of your joints, watching your weight, eating well, paying attention to your emotional health, and finding out if surgery and/or medication is right for you.
Studies have found that people who are proactive in managing chronic disease are healthier, happier, and able to live more independently. Early intervention and self-management, may slow the progress of the disease, reduce your pain, and help you move your joint with greater ease. Learning how to self-manage your osteoarthritis can help keep your symptoms under control and slow the development of complications.
If you think you have osteoarthritis, the first thing to do is talk to your family doctor. Only your doctor can diagnose your joint pain. Your doctor can also discuss your self-management goals and the different ways you can start to self-manage your osteoarthritis.
These steps are for your information only. If anything you read here conflicts with what your doctor has told you, please continue to follow your doctor’s orders.
Exercise will keep your cartilage nourished, your muscles strong, and your joints flexible. Talk to your physiotherapist or doctor about what kinds of exercises are right for you.
Here are some general tips:
When you’re overweight every extra pound puts 4 to 6 times more force on your hip and knee joints. If you’re already experiencing the symptoms of osteoarthritis, weight loss may provide relief from pain and increase your ability to move and stretch.
Eating a balanced diet that follows Canada’s Food Guide will help you stay healthy. Eat a low-fat, high fibre diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. These nutrients are thought to help people with osteoarthritis:
Don’t Ignore your Emotional Health
It is natural to feel grief or depression when you are diagnosed with a chronic condition like osteoarthritis. Some of the common symptoms are feelings of isolation, helplessness, and loss. Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may be experiencing feelings of depression.
Always remember to discuss possible side effects with your doctor. But don’t try to control your pain through medication alone. Medication works best when you also manage your pain through life-styles changes like eating well and exercising regularly.
Find out if Surgery is Right for You
Many people who have been recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis think that surgery is the only treatment. But surgery isn’t right for everyone. Those who can benefit from surgery will enjoy a shorter and more successful recovery if they learn to self-manage their osteoarthritis. Talk to your doctor to find out if surgery is right for you.