Osteoarthritis is one of the most common sources of joint pain, affecting approximately five million Canadians and almost half of people over the age of 65 with arthritis. This kind of arthritis is often described as a “wear and tear disease” as the cartilage that normally protects the joints starts to wear down. This can make doing activities like walking, climbing stairs or even bending down more difficult. Women are more at risk than men, and certain jobs, sports and lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of exercise can increase the risk.
So, how do you know if you have osteoarthritis? Common symptoms include persistent pain, aching or stiffness in your knees or hips that is not a result of a recent injury. While there currently is no cure for osteoarthritis, things such as low to no-impact exercise, acupuncture and weight management can help improve mobility and reduce symptoms.
If you or someone you know is living with osteoarthritis, our resources below that include our new online interactive lesson may help. By learning about changes you can make to reduce symptoms, it is possible to improve your quality of life and get back to doing more of the things you love.
