Activity, Brace May Ease Arthritis Pain
Oct. 30, 2013 (San Diego) -- Osteoarthritis can be painful, but exercise can improve the quality of life for people with OA or those at high risk for it, according to new research.
For people who have OA of the knee, a simple brace can ease pain greatly, another new study says.
Both studies were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Diego.
OA, or the ''wear-and-tear'' arthritis linked with age, is the most common form of arthritis. Its symptoms include joint pain and stiffness.
Simple Exercises to Relieve OA Pain
Even a little exercise can help, says study researcher Kai Sun, MD. She is a researcher at Northwestern University in Chicago.
She compared the quality of life in three groups:
"The overall quality of life is better with each increasing level of physical activity," she says.
At the study start and then 2 years later, patients answered questions about their quality of life. This included their energy levels, social interactions, and general health.
People who exercised some said they had 10 more days of good health a year.
People who met the recommended guidelines reported 20 more days of good health a year.
For people with a form of kneeosteoarthritis that affects the kneecap, wearing a knee brace may help pain, says David Felson, MD, MPH. He is a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University School of Medicine.
Knee OA is marked by progressive damage to the joint cartilage, the cushioning material at the end of long bones. The damage can lead to weakened muscles, pain, and swelling.
Patients who wore a knee brace said it reduced pain by about 40% over 6 weeks, Felson says. Based on the study, he recommends a soft Neoprene-like brace, with a hole for the knee cap.
A doctor can best diagnose knee OA, he says.
Felson reports working as a consultant for Knee Creations. Arthritis Research U.K. funded the study.
Activity, Brace May Ease Arthritis Pain
Oct. 30, 2013 (San Diego) -- Osteoarthritis can be painful, but exercise can improve the quality of life for people with OA or those at high risk for it, according to new research.
For people who have OA of the knee, a simple brace can ease pain greatly, another new study says.
Both studies were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Diego.
OA, or the ''wear-and-tear'' arthritis linked with age, is the most common form of arthritis. Its symptoms include joint pain and stiffness.
Simple Exercises to Relieve OA Pain
Move to Improve Quality of Life
Even a little exercise can help, says study researcher Kai Sun, MD. She is a researcher at Northwestern University in Chicago.
She compared the quality of life in three groups:
- Inactive people
- Those who did some exercise
- Those who did the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each week
"The overall quality of life is better with each increasing level of physical activity," she says.
At the study start and then 2 years later, patients answered questions about their quality of life. This included their energy levels, social interactions, and general health.
People who exercised some said they had 10 more days of good health a year.
People who met the recommended guidelines reported 20 more days of good health a year.
Brace the Knee, Ease the Pain
For people with a form of kneeosteoarthritis that affects the kneecap, wearing a knee brace may help pain, says David Felson, MD, MPH. He is a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University School of Medicine.
Knee OA is marked by progressive damage to the joint cartilage, the cushioning material at the end of long bones. The damage can lead to weakened muscles, pain, and swelling.
Patients who wore a knee brace said it reduced pain by about 40% over 6 weeks, Felson says. Based on the study, he recommends a soft Neoprene-like brace, with a hole for the knee cap.
A doctor can best diagnose knee OA, he says.
Felson reports working as a consultant for Knee Creations. Arthritis Research U.K. funded the study.
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