Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15. Arthritis is second only to heart disease as the cause of work disability. Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone.

The common thread among arthritic conditions is that they all affect the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints - where two or more bones meet. Arthritis-related joint problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures. Such damage can lead to joint weakness, instability and visible deformities that, depending on the location of joint involvement, can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, using a computer keyboard, cutting your food or brushing your teeth.

Physical therapy can play an important role in the management of arthritis. The most effective treatment plan for patients with arthritis consists of a comprehensive approach bringing different health professionals and different treatment options together. Physical therapists will focus on improving alignment of the affected joint and strengthening the muscles around the joint. Strong and ‘smart’ muscles will reduce stress on the arthritic joint; this can slow down progression of the disease and postpone disability. Smart muscles are muscles that know what to do when; a common term for this is coordination. Without excellent coordination strong muscles will be of little help to an arthritic joint.

Even though we are primary involved in the physical therapy component of the treatment plan for patients with arthritis, we at Dynamic Physical Therapy feel it is essential for our patients to understand that a multifaceted approach is most effective. Nutrition and medication, for instance, play a central role in any comprehensive treatment plan for patients with arthritis. At Dynamic Physical Therapy our physical therapists are not only trained to help patients with arthritis, we also understand how to work with other health professionals and we are sensitive to the fact that it takes a multifaceted approach to establish proper management to arthritic conditions.

Reference:
Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org