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Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common, painful, and progressive. And there’s no cure (yet). However, there’s good news — a joint-friendly lifestyle can slow its effects on your life.
Our multispecialty team at Coastal Spine offers New Jersey residents state-of-the-art, patient-focused, movement-inspired care. We want you to live as pain-free as possible, regardless of your age.
Fighting back against osteoarthritis progression is one way to accomplish that goal.
OA happens when the smooth, protective tissue (cartilage) at the ends of bones deteriorates. Without enough cartilage, bones rub together, leading to swelling, stiffness, and pain.
Because it’s a wear-and-tear or degenerative condition, many people believe OA is just another step in the aging process. However, although knee OA is often age-related, it can also result from overuse in sports, hobbies, or work activities and may be linked to previous injuries.
Furthermore, you can protect your knees and other joints from OA progression.
Joints most prone to OA (spine, hands, knees, hips, ankles) often send out subtle warning signs long before OA progresses to a debilitating stage. For instance, you may notice aching or stiffness in affected joints first thing in the morning or after you’ve been inactive.
As the cartilage wears, the pain increases and can become constant. Mild joint stiffness worsens, eventually affecting simple movements like rising from a chair, standing, or walking.
We recommend protecting joints throughout your life, even before OA symptoms begin. However, it’s never too late to adopt habits that can slow its progression.
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you’ve been managing OA for years, these five strategies can help slow its progression.
Exercise might be the last thing on your mind when your knees ache, but regular movement is one of the best things you can do. It keeps your joints lubricated, strengthens the muscles around your knee, and can even reduce inflammation.
The key is to choose exercises that protect rather than strain joints.
Best choices:
Tip: Start small. Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference!
Every extra pound you carry puts additional pressure on your knees, about four pounds of added stress for each pound of excess body weight. Losing just 5%–10% of your weight can lead to meaningful improvements in pain and function.
Support devices can help you move more comfortably and safely. Your Coastal
Spine provider may recommend:
You’re not giving in to OA by using support; you’re taking charge of your joint health.
Inflammation triggers joint pain and degeneration, and what you eat can feed or fight the inflammatory process.
Foods that help include:
Processed foods, excess sugar, and unhealthy fats can worsen inflammation and joint pain.
Managing knee OA isn’t a solo mission. Our Coastal Spine team can help you build a plan tailored to your needs.
You may benefit from physical therapy, pain management, or occupational therapy to help modify daily activities and protect your joints. We also offer regenerative therapies like PRP injections to enhance healing.
Don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable. Early intervention matters. With the right strategies and support, you can protect your joints, stay active, and feel better daily.
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, an excellent time to schedule an appointment at Coastal Spine to assess your joint health. Call us today or request an appointment online.