MONTEFIORE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
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If you have osteoarthritis (OA), coddling your knees is a good idea, right? That may have been the medical consensus in the past, but not anymore.

Rheumatologists at Montefiore Medical Specialists of Westchester, a spacious and attractive physiciandriven specialty practice in Scarsdale, NY, agree on the benefits of regular vigorous exercise for people with OA.

“There’s a lot people with OA can do to feel better, and staying active is one of the things we recommend,” says Susan Wallis, MD, a rheumatologist at the center and a clinical instructor of Rheumatology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Moderateintensity exercise can help reduce patients’ chances of developing OA and can help slow the progression of disease in those who already have the condition.”

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

OA, or “wear and tear” of the joints, is one of the most common forms of arthritis. This chronic condition occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints breaks down causing bones to rub together. Patients with OA typically experience moderate to very severe pain and stiffness and, eventually, loss of coordination.

While OA is one of the most frequent causes of disability in older adults, living with painful joints isn’t an inevitable part of aging. Dr. Wallis says these tips can ease your symptoms and improve your mobility:

  • Maintain your ideal body weight. Losing even 10 or 11 pounds can cut the risk of developing OA in half. It also can help reduce the pain associated with OA and halt or slow its progression.
  • Undergo physical therapy. Specialists can design programs to help strengthen the muscles that surround painful joints.
  • Exercise regularly. Most people with OA are encouraged to engage in moderate-intensity aerobic and strengthening routines, such as walking, cycling and swimming, several days a week.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear to avoid joint damage.
  • Balance rest and activity.

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

Many people with OA need more than self-care strategies to live healthy and active lives. Rheumatologists at the center design individual treatment programs to help patients cope with their condition. They suggest that you try:

  • Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications
  • Prescription strength anti-inflammatory medications
  • Topical pain medications
  • Steroid injections in the affected joints

“People shouldn’t dismiss stiff and painful joints,” Dr. Wallis says. “Instead, they should discuss their symptoms with their doctors because early diagnosis and treatment can make a tremendous difference in how patients are able to manage OA.”

Photo of Susan Wallis, MD For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wallis, please call 1-866-MED-TALK (1-866-633-8255).