AthletePlus - Springdale, Arkansas - Athlete Plus - Physical Therapy - Sports Training - Athlete Plus - Speed Training - AthletesPlus - Core Training
| AthletePlus - Springdale, Arkansas - Athlete Plus - Physical Therapy - Sports Training - Athlete Plus - Speed Training - AthletesPlus - Core Training |
Phone: 479-751-THER (8437) |
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Important Points
 A recent study is the first to demonstrate that exercise can help prevent disability and people can avoid relying on others for help in these ordinary activities.  Proper exercises can improve activities of daily living such as getting out of bed and bathing. The earlier the stage of OA and beginning of exercise, the better the outcome. Programs such as Silver Sneakers Fitness at All-Star Fitness are proven to assist patients. Osteoarthritis, characterized by loss progressive deterioration of cartilage or the protective lining in your joints, is the leading cause of disability in the U.S and affects more than 80 percent of those who reach the age of 70. There have been many touted remedies to this disability including creams, glucosamine, and medications. Although glucosamine has been proven to help some patients (see Glucosamine: Can it Decrease My Knee Pain), physical therapy is a viable alternative with research to prove its effectiveness. A recent study of 250 people age 60 or older with OA is the first to demonstrate that exercise can help prevent disability and people can avoid relying on others for help in these ordinary activities.(10) An 8 week study in 2001 with 126 patients showed decreased pain and increased knee extensor strength resulting in increased function. (1) The improvements were maintained for at least 2 months. Supervised exercise and manual therapy from physical therapists may also delay or prevent the need for surgical intervention. (2) Previous studies showed improvements in ability to climb stairs, rise from a chair, and walk. (3 )Exercise, both therapeutic and recreational, is an effective therapy in successful management of osteoarthritis (4). Exercise is integral in reducing impairment, improving function, and preventing disability. Benefits of flexibility, muscular conditioning, and cardiovascular exercise and the role of regular physical activity in maintaining general health Persons with OA of hip or knee from age 55-75 showed improvements after 6 weeks of exercises taught by a physical therapist. (5) Some studies have shown that these benefits can be lost if the exercises are not continued. Also , older patients usually do not have experience exercising and need supervising . A larger study of 439 community-dwelling adults, aged 60 years or older, with OA causing pain and decreased function had modest improvements from an aerobic or a resistance exercise program.(6) Exercise is a valuable adjunct to treatment programs aimed at alleviating the risks and symptoms of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In addition to its potential impact on the disease processes themselves, exercise improves general health and well being, enhances quality of life, and preserves physical independence. (7) The addition of a progressive exercise program to NSAIDS, which include medications such as ibuprofen and oxaprozin, can improve activity levels more than mediation alone. (8) Is exercise helpful to severe arithritis? As shown by the high compliance and low dropout frequency, exercise is feasible even in patients with severe OA of the knee. (8)Arithritis usually affects more than just the knee, so the positive effects of exercise for other parts of the body are proven also. The knee is subjected to great amount of force and weight, but proper exercise can be beneficial. An example exercise program is listed below.As always at Pristine Health, the earlier the program is started, the better the outcome; hence the name "prehabilitation". But it has been proven that it is never too late to start and benefit from exercise. References 1. Fransen M, Crosbie J, Edmonds J Physical therapy is effective for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Rheumatol (Canada), Jan 2001, 28(1) p156-64 2. Deyle GD, Henderson NE, Matekel RL, et al. Effectiveness of manual physical therapy and exercise in osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med (United States), Feb 1 2000, 132(3) p173-81. 3. Fisher NM, Gresham GE, Abrams M, et al. Quantitative effects of physical therapy on muscular and functional performance in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knees. Arch Phys Med Rehabil (United States), Aug 1993, 74(8) p840-7. 4 Exercise in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am (United States), May 1999, 25(2) p397-415, viii 5.Hopman-Rock M, Westhoff MH The effects of a health educational and exercise program for older adults with osteoarthritis for the hip or knee. J Rheumatol (Canada), Aug 2000, 27(8) p1947-54 6. Ettinger WH, Burns R, Messier SP, et al. A randomized trial comparing aerobic exercise and resistance exercise with a health education program in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The Fitness Arthritis and Seniors Trial (FAST). JAMA (United States), Jan 1 1997, 277(1) p25-31. 7 Sharkey NA, Williams NI, Guerin JB The role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Nurs Clin North Am (United States), Mar 2000, 35(1) p209-21. 8 Petrella RJ, Bartha C Home based exercise therapy for older patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial. J Rheumatol (Canada), Sep 2000, 27(9) p2215-21. 9 Rogind H, Bibow-Nielsen B, Jensen B, et al. The effects of a physical training program on patients with osteoarthritis of the knees. Arch Phys Med Rehabil (United States), Nov 1998, 79(11) p1421-7 10 Exercise Can Reduce Arthritis Risk. American College of Rheumatology fact sheet: http://www.rheumatology.org/patients/factsheet/oa.html Arthritis Foundation: http://www.arthritis.org Oct 28, 2001 Ira Dreyfuss Penninx Archives of Internal Medicine Oct 22, 2001 This article is provided for information and entertainment purposes only. The content is provided "as is" for general information and to educate the reader. The article is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The content should not be considered complete and should not be relied on to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual suffering from a particular problem, issue or medical need. The reader should always consult with a qualified health care provider familiar with the reader's general health, background and conditions and follow the advice given by the health care provider. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before starting a new diet, treatment or fitness program. Do not delay seeking specific advice or care or disregard the advice of your health care provider based on information contained in this article. |
| So what should you do? Enroll in a program such as Silver Sneakers at AthletePlus. Call 750-2600 ext 233 for more information. |