OSTEOARTHRITIS - RISK FACTORS AND TREATMENT!

OSTEOARTHRITIS - RISK FACTORS AND TREATMENT!

 

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES I WILL SUFFER FROM OSTEOARTRITIS (OA)? 

OA is the most common joint condition and is a growing cause of disability. More than 60% of this population is suffering from Knee joint arthritis.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING OA?

Some major risk factors for developing this condition are-

- Increasing age
- Previous joint injuries (example- meniscal tears),
- Being overweight or obese 
- Arthritis is more common is females
- Also  family history does play a role

-Urbanization is also associated with many health changes including early onset of arthritis. This maybe related to increases in bodyweight, sedentary lifestyle and dietary changes.

See your physiotherapist and get assessed! 

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CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP ME? HOW?

PHYSIOTHERAPY  IS  THE  CORE  TREATMENT  FOR  THE  PREVENTION  AS  WELL  AS MANAGEMENT  OF  OSTEOARTHRITIS 

In case of pain, physiotherapists use Electrotherapy- advanced modalities which have proved to help reduce pain and inflammation in the joints . The immediate effect of pain reduction needs to be maintained with a good exercise program!  

EXERCISE IS THE NEW AGE MEDICINE...

The best physiotherapy-customized exercise program can -

Maintain FULL JOINT RANGE OF MOVEMENT,               

Improve muscle STRENGTH and reduce loading of joints

Enhance the PHYSICAL ABILITY to perform DAILY ACTIVTIES

Improve BALANCE and reduces RISK OF FALL

Improve sleep patterns, mood and overall cardiovascular health

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

MY DOCTOR SAYS I HAVE STARTED OA RECENTLY, 

CAN I AVOID SURGERY?

YES, Physiotherapy can definitely delay or completely avoid chances of surgery.

Physiotherapy started early on in this condition, can act like a 'stitch in time which saves nine.'

Exercise is always the first line of managing OA. Evidence has proved that a good tailored exercise regime is safe and effective way of dealing with OA. Only in case of severe arthritic changes and deformity, you may have to opt for a joint replacement. 

       

CAN RUNNING GIVE ME OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Evidence suggests that in-fact recreational runners have reduced chances of developing osteoarthritis,.

Type of surface for running (tar road, a non-cemented surface, sand), quality and design of the shoes, proper warm up, cool down exercises and also strength training exercises - all affect the loading on joints. 

We strongly recommend you to visit your physiotherapist to know more and understand what is best for you!

DO I NEED PHYISOTHERAPY AFTER SURGERY?

YES. Physiotherapy after a knee replacement is a MUST and should not be avoided. A surgery maybe the answer to your ageing knee problems but it does not give you the guarantee to return to functional activities without the help of physiotherapy exercises. 

A physiotherapist can guide you to first recover the range of motion and then regain the muscle strength, improve balance and correct your walking pattern.

Hope you have fun exercising, with or without arthritis, with or without surgery.

Invest in your health today, to save yourself from disease tomorrow. 

     -Dr. Neha Gogate (PT)

     Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Team Rehab Station, Pune                         .

Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia) - Symptoms and Treatment

 

Sportsman’s hernia has been a hot topic of discussion since Indian Cricketer K.L Rahul sustained the injury. Let’s know more in detail about the condition and role of physiotherapy in preventing the same.

                                                 Image Credits- The Economic Times

Sportsman’s hernia is a pain syndrome of the lower abdomen and groin. It is a painful, soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area. The reason why it is defined as sportsman’s hernia is that it was originally seen in sportsmen. It most often occurs during sports that require sudden changes of direction or intense twisting movements and increased pelvic rotation that would lead to painful groin.  However, it may also develop in people who do not do sports.

What is it commonly known as….

Some common terminologies for sports hernia are athletic pubalgia, sportsman’s hernia, Gilmore’s groin, pubic inguinal pain syndrome-PIPS, sportsmen’s groin, footballer’s groin injury complex, hockey player’s syndrome, athletic hernia

What structures are affected due to sports hernia?

The soft tissues most frequently affected by sports hernia are the oblique muscles in the lower abdomen. Especially vulnerable are the tendons that attach the oblique muscles to the pubic bone. In many cases of sports hernia, the tendons that attach the inner thigh muscles to the pubic bone (adductors) are also stretched or torn.

                                           Image credits- OrthoInfo- AAOS

What are the common symptoms which any athlete can look for?

1.         Exercise-related groin pain
2.      Pain is typically localized on the lower outer end of the rectus abdominis muscle (belly muscle)
3.      Increased with sudden acceleration, turning, twisting, hitting, changing directions
4.      Sitting and getting up, coughing and sneezing 
5.      There is a feeling of hardness in the groin and difficulty getting up from bed
6.      The pain disappears upon resting for a while and then it re-starts immediately and attains the peak when resumed the sports activity at full force

Examination by expert reveals-

1.          Sensitive groin area, in proximity of painful area
2.         A slight bulge may be seen on the skin surface while the patient is standing

Diagnosis cannot be only dependent on the signs and symptoms but the patient’s history and physical examination

How to treat the condition?

                                       

Physiotherapy works on correcting the imbalance of hip region by:

1.      . Increasing hip mobility
2.      . Improving hip rotations movements
3.       . Strengthening abdominal and core, hip muscles

These factors help in controlling the rotation movements and pelvic stability which are proven to be the effective in preventing the occurrence of initial or recurrent damage in sports hernia.

In many cases, 4 to 6 weeks of physical therapy will resolve any pain and allow an athlete to return to sports.

Surgical Treatment

After the 6 weeks of non-surgical rehabilitation if the pain comes back after resuming the sports activities, one needs to consider surgery as a treatment option.

Following the surgical procedure most athletes are able to return to sports after 6 to 12 weeks.

 - Dr. Aditi Dole (PT)

Sports Physiotherapist

Team Rehab Station Pune