Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where the cartilage, which normally serves as a cushion and shock absorber in the joints, breaks down over time. This leads to the bones rubbing together, resulting in pain, swelling, and reduced movement. OA can affect any joint in your body, but it most commonly targets weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, spine, and feet. Other commonly affected joints include the hands, particularly the thumbs.

Osteoarthritis can affect people of all ages, though it is more common in people over the age of 45. Women are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis, especially after menopause, and the risk also increases with age. However, it can also occur in younger adults, particularly if they have had joint injuries or have genetic factors that predispose them to the condition.

Globally, it is estimated that around 525 million people suffer from Osteoarthritis, with about 10million people affected in the UK alone. Of those, it is estimated that 5.4 million people have Knee Osteoarthritis and 3.2 million people have Hip Osteoarthritis. The condition can have a significant impact on your quality of life, making daily activities difficult due to pain and limited movement.

To Find Out More, Download Our Arthritis Brochure, which Raj has put together to cover the things that he hears from our clients all the time.

Aging is the main reason that people develop Osteoarthritis, but there are other common factors that can contribute.

Age: The risk of Osteoarthritis increases with age, as the wear and tear on your cartilage over time becomes more pronounced.
Gender: Women, especially those who have gone through menopause, are at higher risk.
Obesity: Increased body weight puts more pressure on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, accelerating cartilage breakdown.
Joint Injuries: Previous injuries or surgeries to a joint can lead to a higher likelihood of developing Osteoarthritis in that joint later in life.
Family History: A genetic predisposition to Osteoarthritis can play a role in the development of the condition.
Abnormal Joint Development: Conditions that affect the structure of the joints, such as developmental disorders or dysplasia, can contribute to Osteoarthritis.
Overuse of Joints: Repetitive movements, heavy lifting, or jobs involving prolonged physical strain can wear down cartilage and lead to Osteoarthritis

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Osteoarthritis typically develops gradually over time. It can affect one or more joints, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. The are 4 main stages of Osteoarthritis.

Joint Pain: Pain in the affected joints is the typical symptom of Osteoarthritis. The pain can be mild or severe and often worsens with activity or prolonged movement. It may ease with rest and can come and go, although it tends to worsen over time if untreated.
Swelling: As the cartilage breaks down, your bones can rub together, causing friction. This can lead to swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected joint, often making it tender to the touch.
Joint Stiffness: One of the most common signs of Osteoarthritis is stiffness in the affected joints, particularly after periods of inactivity (e.g., after waking up in the morning or sitting for long periods). Morning stiffness usually lasts less than 30 minutes.
Difficulty with Movement: People with Osteoarthritis can experience a reduced range of motion, making it challenging to move the joint. This can cause difficulty standing up from a seated position, bending, or performing other everyday tasks. A grating or crunching sound may also be heard when moving the affected joint.

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At Relive Physiotherapy, there are a variety of different treatments that can help you regain your independence and move around freely again. Depending on how advanced your symptoms are, we have the right plan for you.

Our expert Physiotherapists can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life, which is why our clients truly believe that we are Chester’s Best Clinic for Arthritis Pain.

Relive Physiotherapy plays a vital role in any treatment and management of Arthritis or Arthritis symptoms. Osteoarthritis is a condition that breaks down the cartilage in your joints over time, which causes pain, stiffness and reduces your mobility. One of our Specialist Physiotherapists can help alleviate your symptoms, restore the function of your joints and improve your quality of life without the need for invasive procedures, such as surgery or painkillers.

We can use a variety of different techniques to help you.

Manual Therapy includes hands-on techniques, where we use our hands to manipulate your joints. We aim to reduce the pain, improve your joint function and restore your natural movement patterns.
Stretching – we will guide you through specific stretches that are tailored to you and your abilities, targeting the muscles and tissues around any affected joint. We will help restore your flexibility, to ensure that activities such as walking, standing or bending over become easier.
Joint Mobilisations are passive movements that we do on the joint to improve your flexibility and reduce any stiffness that you might have. These mobilisations are typically slow and controlled, which gradually increases the range of motion.
Active Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises are where we guide you through gentle exercises that encourage the joint to move through its normal range. These prevent further joint stiffness, maintain joint mobility and strengthen the surrounding muscles to support the joint.
Strengthening Exercises focus on building your muscle strength to support the joint and improve your overall joint function. In the case of knee Osteoarthritis, strengthening the quadriceps (front thigh muscles) can help reduce the load on the knee joint. Similarly, strengthening the muscles around the hip and spine helps with stability and reduces pain during movement.
Functional Strengthening focuses on functional exercises that mimic real-life activities. These can include squats, lunges, and other movements that target joint support in daily activities. Functional exercises also help increase endurance for walking, standing, or climbing stairs.
Core Strengthening A strong core plays a crucial role in maintaining proper posture, which can prevent excess strain on the joints, especially the lower back, hips, and knees. Core strengthening exercises such as planks, bridges, and abdominal exercises are integrated into a treatment plan to improve overall stability.
Kinesiology Taping provides support to the joint, improves circulation, and reduces swelling. The tape lifts the skin slightly, which reduces pressure on the lymphatic system and enhances fluid drainage.
Acupuncture helps Osteoarthritis by reducing pain, inflammation, and improving joint mobility. It works by stimulating specific points on the body, which triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. This can reduce discomfort and muscle stiffness. Acupuncture also improves blood flow to the affected area, aiding in healing and reducing inflammation. Overall, it can help enhance joint function and quality of life when used alongside.
Customised Orthotics (hyperlink to Sneha’s Orthotics blog) are often recommended by Physiotherapists as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for Osteoarthritis (OA), especially for people who have it on the lower joints of their bodies, such as in the knees, hips, or feet. These devices play a crucial role in providing support, alleviating pain, and improving mobility.

Injection Therapy (hyperlink to Injection Therapy page) is often complementary to Physiotherapy for people who have Osteoarthritis. Two of the most commonly used injection types are Hyaluronic Acid Injections (add hyperlink to Hyaluronic Acid Page) and Corticisteroid Injections (hyperlink to Steroid Injection Page) . Both offer relief from pain and inflammation, but they work in different ways and are often used for different purposes depending on the severity of the condition and the symptoms.