When you’re dealing with a health issue, it can be hard to know how to proceed, especially when orthopaedic surgery is involved. But, it can be helpful to get a second opinion while you explore your options.
Arthritis is not a single condition. This term covers more than 100 types of joint diseases that affect nearly 40 million Americans, including 250,000 children. Arthritis develops when you lose cartilage cushioning your joints. As this tissue deteriorates, the bones forming your joints begin to rub together, which can lead to pain, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and more cartilage degeneration.
You can lose cartilage for several reasons. Some are beyond your control, such as having a family history of arthritis or being a woman. But you can also lose cartilage for controllable reasons, such as being overweight and not exercising.
As an orthopaedic surgeon, Vasili Karas, MD, offers the most advanced surgical and nonsurgical techniques available for addressing the symptoms of joint disease at Chicago Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. He recommends taking the following approaches to help protect your joints and avoid arthritis.
If you need another excuse to get your weight under control, think about your joints. Every extra pound you carry puts an additional six pounds of pressure on a joint. This added stress can lead to inflammation and damage. If you’re overweight or obese, Dr. Karas recommends losing 5-10% of your body weight. Taking this step can reduce your arthritis symptoms and help prevent or slow joint disease conditions.
Staying active and picking the right forms of exercise is essential for keeping your joints strong and healthy. Dr. Karas suggests incorporating joint-sparing activities, such as swimming, water aerobics, and cycling. And, if you participate in high-impact activities, such as running, you should invest in quality shoes and impact-reducing insoles to help protect your joints.
To help avoid arthritis, you should limit the foods you eat that can increase inflammation in your body. These often include:
Dr. Karas recommends eating the following foods:
Repetitive actions can cause joint damage over time. To avoid everyday strain on your joints, practice correct body mechanics and ergonomics by:
You need to do everything you can to avoid joint injuries, because once you damage tissue near a joint, you significantly increase your chances of getting arthritis in the future.
To learn more about avoiding arthritis or slowing its progression, book an appointment online or over the phone with Chicago Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
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