Osteoarthritis is commonly thought of as a condition that only affects the inside of a joint. However, the condition actually involves the whole joint, including all the bone and cartilage, but it also involves the muscles surrounding the damaged joint.
Terms such as “wear and tear” and “bone on bone” are very familiar to people with osteoarthritis. It can happen anywhere in your body from your spine down to your toes and affects people of all ages.
Symptoms include significant pain (particularly when it’s wet or cold), stiffness, inflammation and swelling around the joint, loss of muscle mass and a marked reduction in range of motion.
Osteoarthritis isn’t curable, however treatment can give significant relief of symptoms. It can also help to slow the progression of the disease and help keep the joint as healthy as possible.
When muscles tissues surrounding an arthritic joint become affected, they shorten and tighten, which in turn stiffens the joint more and leads to greater compaction of the joint, hence more pain.
Occupational Therapy can help to relieve the pain of arthritis, reduce inflammation and restore range of movement.
Soft tissue Occupational Therapy treatment can also address other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid, psoriatic or inflammatory arthritis, however the treatment for these conditions is different to that for osteoarthritis.
If you’re suffering from osteoarthritis or know someone who is, feel free to get in touch with me. You can also book directly online for an appointment by clicking here.