Is Exercise Good for Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that affects the articular cartilage of the joint. As a result, there is a decrease in the joint space and an increase in boney development (commonly referred to as “bone spurs”). Onset typically takes years. Risk factors for developing OA include age, trauma, obesity and family history. It can develop in any JOINT but is most commonly seen in the knees, hips and hands. 


What does research say about exercising with arthritis?

• Exercise reduced pain, improved quality of life and increased performance in those with OA. Patients who had better outcomes were typically younger (Siew-Li Goh).
• Those who walked had less knee pain than those who didn't. The study also found that walking helped to slow the progression of OA in the knee (Lo).
• Patient outcomes were improved when exercise was combined with patient education (Goff).

What type of exercise should those with arthritis do? 

• Strength training
• Aerobics 
• Pilates
• Aquatics
• Walking

*All appeared to be helpful when performed for an hour (Raposo)


Takeaway:
Those with osteoarthritis should participate in physical activity. If pain is preventing you from exercising, try to find an activity you enjoy that causes minimal pain. If it is still challenging, reach out to a professional to create a plan to manage your pain. 

References
Goff, Anthony J., et al. "Patient education improves pain and function in people with knee osteoarthritis with better effects when combined with exercise therapy: a systematic review." Journal of Physiotherapy 67.3 (2021): 177-189.

Lo, Grace H., et al. "Association between walking for exercise and symptomatic and structural progression in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative Cohort." Arthritis & Rheumatology 74.10 (2022): 1660-1667.

Raposo, Filipe, Marta Ramos, and Ana Lúcia Cruz. "Effects of exercise on knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review." Musculoskeletal care 19.4 (2021): 399-435.

Siew-Li Goh, Monica S.M. Persson, Joanne Stocks, Yunfei Hou, Jianhao Lin, Michelle C. Hall, Michael Doherty, Weiya Zhang,Efficacy and potential determinants of exercise therapy in knee and hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,Volume 62, Issue 5, 2019,

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