For many people, it is possible to slow the loss of joint cartilage as they age and avoid surgery.
Certain steps can help with that, according to one orthopedic surgeon from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., who offered tips for maintaining joint health and also for managing pain if you are already experiencing arthritis-related pain.
Dr. Joaquin Sanchez-Sotelo says cartilage, that shock-absorbing, slippery tissue at the ends of bones, degenerates for various reasons.
Those reasons include being born with abnormally shaped bones or a tendency toward weaker cartilage. Obesity, overuse and injuries from accidents also can damage joints and cartilage.
“When cartilage degenerates, the body forms bone spurs,” Sanchez-Sotelo shares. “This is a reaction to the main underlying problem, cartilage degeneration. Bone spurs can hit each other and become painful. Many patients get obsessed with bone spurs, but just taking them out won’t cure the problem, except in very rare circumstances.”
Arthritis can cause symptoms such as achy and painful joints, stiffness, and loss of movement.
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In the years before that happens, however, you can protect your joints by building strong muscles. This can take some of the pressure off of your joints. The best way to build your muscles is without intense exercises such as football or bodybuilding because those sports come with higher risks of developing arthritis.
“You have to exercise within reason,” Sanchez-Sotelo says. “Find that point where your muscles are healthy, flexible, strong and will protect the joints, but don’t overdo it.”
Sanchez-Sotelo also suggests maintaining a healthy weight. He’s not so sure about glucosamine and chondroitin, which are
popular supplements for joint pain, because of a lack of evidence that they actually work.
If you are suffering from arthritic pain, you can also modify your activities. If the trouble is a knee or hip joint, try bicycling instead of running, the doctor suggests.
Use a cane to lighten the load on a sore hip, knee or ankle joint. A type of knee brace worn outside of clothes can shift the load to the healthier side of the knee joint, Sanchez-Sotelo advises.
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Consider over-the-counter medications — including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) — for persistent pain. However, use these with caution because they can lead to ulcers, and kidney or heart issues, Sanchez-Sotelo warns.
If your pain persists, you could consider injections into the affected joint with cortisone or Toradol (ketorolac) to relieve the pain. In addition, hyaluronic acid can help lubricate joints when injected, especially in the knee.
Although many people choose injections with stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, referred to as “regenerative medicine,” they are experimental without firm evidence that they work, he adds.
But the good news is you don’t have to suffer in silence.
“In the past, older people just accepted joint pain,” Sanchez-Sotelo said in a Mayo Clinic news release. “Now people are living longer and want to remain active as they age. We are not all destined for joint replacement. There are some people in their 80s and 90s who have great joints.”
When being active, remember to give your joints time to rest. Movements that put repetitive stress on your knees can increase your risk of developing a knee problem. If you notice that your knee has become swollen, contact your doctor. This can indicate damaged cartilage.
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