Congregational Nurse Note

Many individuals in our congregation have undergone hip or knee replacement. If you are one of the fortunate ones who have not needed that surgery, I want to suggest some further measures to protect those joints.

Although the human body has an amazing ability to heal itself, our joints are surprisingly fragile. When the cartilage that cushions bones wears away, it does not grow back. Thinning cartilage contributes to osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. With arthritis comes stiffness, pain, and sometimes swelling. Over time, arthritic joints can become so sore and inflamed that replacement with an artificial joint is needed. The cost to an individual and to our Medicare fund is enormous when we consider that over 400,000 people a year will have one or more joints replaced.

Is there anything that the average individual can do to protect these rather fragile joints? If your joints are still intact, or just beginning to creak, there might be some ways to keep osteoarthritis out of your future.

Control Your Weight:

Studies have found that there is a connection between being overweight and developing osteoarthritis of the knees and to a lesser extent the hips. One recent review found that 27% of hip replacements and 69% of knee replacements might be attributed to obesity. For reasons not entirely understood, weight may be more of a risk factor for women. A weight loss of as little as10 pounds could significantly reduce your risk.

Go Low Impact:

When choosing an exercise regime, choose one that is low impact. Doctors advise against running on hard surfaces such as cement, playing sports such as tennis on very hard surfaces, and skiing on terrain with moguls or many bumpy surfaces. Consider varying your routine by including low impact sports such as swimming, biking, Tai Chi, yoga, or a weight lifting routine.

Avoid injury and especially falls:

This is easier said then done but injuries often cause one to walk or do other activities in a way that the body is not used to doing and therefore further problems with backs, hips, knees, or ankles may occur. Injuries to the knee involving the ligaments or menisci result in a 50% greater risk of developing arthritis of the knee.

Get Fit:

Engage in a series of exercises that will focus on stretching, strengthening, balance and flexibility. It will pay dividends in the long run. Firming up muscles without jeopardizing cartilage can make for healthier joints.

Be Skeptical:

There are many products on the market that claim they can correct and improve joint health. An ounce of prevention is quite literally worth a pound of cure when it comes to joint health. Like car parts, with proper maintenance, they last longer.

—Ellen Van Arsdale

Congregational Nurse