Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the whole joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. Although it's often been described as 'wear and tear', this is not an accurate description. It is now thought to be the result of a joint working extra hard to repair itself.
The most common symptoms are pain and stiffness. These symptoms may affect your ability to do your normal activities such as walking, climbing stairs or keeping up with the grandchildren, which can be very frustrating, but there's a lot you can do to improve your symptoms and we are here to help.
Exercise is one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis. Most types of exercise are safe (they will not make your osteoarthritis worsen) and will help reduce pain in the long term. At OHL, our expert team of physiotherapists can advise you on the best exercises for you and how to do them safely.
There's a great deal of evidence that being overweight increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis and makes it more likely that it will get worse over time. The good news is that only a small amount of weight loss can significantly reduce pain and disability. No special diet has been shown to help specifically with osteoarthritis, but our experienced Dietician can help guide you through the overwhelming amount of food information out there and support you with the right advice.
Living with a long-term condition like osteoarthritis can lead to anxiety and stress. Your thoughts and feelings play an important role in the amount of pain you experience and how it affects you. You may notice that your pain levels are worse when you are feeling stressed or worried. Talking through your concerns with our qualified psychologist can help manage stress and, in turn, assist you in managing your pain.
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Pain around the ankle and foot area can be common for those of all ages and backgrounds. Two conditions that are often seen are osteoarthritis of the ankle, and achilles tendon pain. At times these conditions can present similarly, but are treated very differently. Keep reading to see which of the two may be causing your ankle discomfort…
