Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.

It commonly affects load-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine, but can also impact the hands and shoulders. Over time, this wearing of cartilage can cause changes to the ends of the bone and result in new bone growth, which can restrict the movement of a joint.

 

It is commonly referred to as "wear and tear", but more more accurate and updated description is "wear and repair", as the changes that occur with osteoarthritis is just the body trying to repair itself.

Another important note, some joint changes are normal as we age, signs of aging on the outside of our bodies are white / grey hairs and wrinkled skin. On the inside of our bodies, signs of aging are the joint changes associated with OA. This is why imaging reports showing osteoarthritis need to be matched up with a physical assessment, as osteoarthritis can be present in a joint, but cause no problems, this is why we like to categorise OA as symptomatic or non-symptomatic.

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Symptoms of symptomatic osteoarthritis include joint pain during or after movement, stiffness after periods of rest, reduced range of motion, and occasional swelling.

As OA progresses, everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair can become more difficult.

Our approach focuses on improving joint strength, managing load, and supporting joint alignment through targeted exercise.