nonmedical treatment of osteoarthritis

**01-25-2012, 06:04 AM**

RE: nonmedical treatment of osteoarthritis

While I understand your doctor's sentiments, I suggest you get a second opinion. There are active people who have more than one knee replacement during a lifetime. IF surgery would fix your knees, it may be worth having a second knee replacement later in life. You'll probably need to curtail some of your activity, but your existing injury may require that anyway!

The brain tells the body to make subtle changes in how we stand, run, walk, and anything else that may impact your arthritic knees. This compensation causes subtle changes that may create problems in other joints.

Exercise gently while you research non-medical treatments. Since osteoarthritis is a wear and tear disorder, exercise may speed deterioration of your cartilage. You haven't said how your doctor discovered your osteoarthritis. Did he order xrays? Did your knee swell after your injury? Is the knee still painful?

Pain that does not ease after 6 weeks should be investigated, closely, so that it does not become chronic, intractable pain.

**12-04-2012, 01:20 AM**

RE: nonmedical treatment of osteoarthritis

i hope you are doing better. I wanted to share something with you which may be of interest and help. This is a new non-invasive treatment for people with bad knees. Sorry I don't have a link, but I am sure you can find information on the internet. This new treatment is called Subchondroplasty. Research it and see what you think. Take care.

**12-13-2012, 09:54 PM**

RE: nonmedical treatment of osteoarthritis

Hi Roberta, I have been living with OA in my spine since aged 28 and I am now 50. I haven't had surgery and I only take drugs when I really need them (e.g. if I have really overdone it or fallen off my horse!).
Here are some easy tips:
Use cold packs when you are in pain (15 minutes on a knee, frozen peas in a tea towel work fine and try to wrap the whole knee up so put one pack under your knee and another on top).
Use heat packs when you feel stiff (eg in the morning). Hot water bottles wrapped in a hand towel and use them the same way as cold packs.
Rest when you start to get pain during an activity but work through any stiffness.
Try supplements one at a time, keeping a pain diary for 2 weeks before you start (0 for no pain for the day and 10 for absolute agony all day). Use the supplement for 2 months keeping a pain diary so you know if it helps.
You must do an exercise program that includes stretching, isometric strengthening (not bending the joint) and isotonic (when you do bend the joint). This program must be designed for you personally so you know how many of each exercise and how often you should do them. It should start easy, build up and drop off to a maintenance level.
I hope all that helps a bit!

**12-16-2012, 12:21 AM**

RE: nonmedical treatment of osteoarthritis

Hi Sophie,

I originally posted this a year ago and since then I have been doing some exercises to build strength. I went to around 10 sessions with a physiotherapist who gave me some exercises to do. Now I am religious about doing them because the pain is less as a result. I know because when I get busy and forget to do them I pay the price. I have done some water exercises too but I found it more difficult to get to the recreation center.

Overall, I do have  pain still but it is more manageable.

Thanks for the response! I am sure it will help someone else having the same problems.

Roberta

**03-02-2013, 10:07 PM**

RE: nonmedical treatment of osteoarthritis

Here is a suggestion that I used that helps me with pain. It is Omega-3 fish oil capsules. They reduce the infammation, thus reducing the pain. It works very well.

**03-21-2013, 06:18 PM**

RE: nonmedical treatment of osteoarthritis

Here are several doctor's recommendations which may help you manage your Osteoarthritis:

1. Maintain your ideal weight-If you are over weight you will need to work toward achieving your ideal weight. Excess weight places stress on your joints and if you lose weight this in turn helps ease the discomfort of arthritis.

2. Load up on Vitamin C and Fish oil-Vitamin C and Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to help relieve the pain caused by OA.

3. Keep active-Keeping active helps maintain a healthy weight which is important in managing the pain associated with OA. Exercising also helps strengthen the bones and muscles. Muscles around yor joints protect and support it so the stronger your muscles the more the symptoms of OA are eased.