Don’t suffer unnecessarily with joint pain. Follow our advice on how to best manage your symptoms.

Joanna Reynolds, a 48-year-old teacher from Cleveland, Ohio, had suffered from lower back aches for as long as she could remember, but because the pain was mild, she wasn’t overly concerned. “I guess I put it down to lack of exercise. I thought a yoga class would probably sort it out, but I always seemed too busy to attend regularly. When I eventually committed to a class and began to practice every day, I discovered I had a problem with my right hip as well.”

Reynolds was diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis—where “wear and tear” takes its toll on the joints. If there’s an apparent additional cause for the condition (for example, injury or obesity) it’s known as secondary osteoarthritis.

So what exactly happens to the body? Cartilage—which cushions the end of long bones and facilitates the movement of joints—breaks down, causing bones to rub against each other. Initially, these inflamed joints become red, warm and painful, but, over time, the inflammation resolves, leaving a gnarled, knobby joint that is often relatively pain-free.

If you think you have arthritis, see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Symptoms include painful joints, stiffness (after periods of inactivity), reduced mobility and swelling. The joints in the fingers are most likely to be affected, but the knees, hips, feet and spine are all vulnerable.

Living with ArthritisThere is no means of prevention or cure, but you can reduce your symptoms:

Rest. Injury and overuse all aggravate the condition so, whenever possible, do not overexert yourself if you are in pain.
Diet. The body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium, which, in turn, helps ensure good bone health. Arthritis sufferers are often deficient in the “sunshine vitamin”, so ensure your intake is adequate by eating plenty of dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, and eggs. Oily fish, such as salmon, is the best source, but choose wild rather than farmed, which contains less vitamin D. If your diet does not provide a sufficient amount, consider a supplement of 400 IU per day or more, especially if you live in northern latitudes
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Weight. Being overweight is a serious risk factor for osteoporosis, especially of the knees, which bear the majority of your weight.
Nonprescription therapies. Acetaminophen is the first-line treatment for relatively minor arthritic pain. If this doesn’t work, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help. Alternatively, the Arthritis Foundation reports that some studies show that the nutritional supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, used for mild to moderate osteoarthritis, may provide pain relief similar to that obtained with NSAIDs. Also, some sufferers benefit from topical creams or rubs.
Prescription therapies. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe a variety of prescription medications. Systemic steroids are rarely, if ever, indicated as treatment, however; an injection of a long-acting corticosteroid agent into the troublesome joint can alleviate pain. Arthritis of the knee, in particular, may benefit from viscosupplementation, using a series of intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections with Hyalgan or Synvisc. These may provide long-term relief. In extreme cases, joint replacement may be a last resort.

Reynolds eventually learned to manage her symptoms with a combination of analgesics and acupuncture, but she still needs to pay attention to her lifestyle. “I now listen to my body much more. If my joints start to twinge, I do gentle stretching exercises or rest up. I don’t push myself the way I used to.”

To find out more about osteoarthritis, visit www.arthritis.org, or read exercise physiologist Miriam Nelson’s book, Strong Women and Men Beat Arthritis.