Discussion: Early stage arthritis

Google says: "Early osteoarthritis treatment involves staying active while avoiding overuse of any particular joint. Losing weight also helps dramatically, by reducing additional stress on joints."

I'd say you're doing pretty well on all of that.

Thanks. I may be guilty of some overuse.

Ha! I suppose so. I was thinking of the overuse of one joint vs. another. Yours are probably equally abused.

When Google says "staying active" I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean what you consider "active" ie. running for hours up and down mountains and hammering on a mountain bike for a full day, and repeating it the next day. For most humans, an hour of any activity a few times a week, would considered "staying active".
From experience:
1. Beware of impact. It's hard on cartilage and cartilage is hard to repair, impossible to replace. Choose your activities wisely, space them out so you can recover and not inflame joints./tissues.
2. Be aware of fascia - keep it gliding smoothly, the joints will work better and the osteoarthritis will be less painful. Find a good physio who can release fascial adhesions (note, this may in itself be painful!) . The sooner the better, before you get really old and the fascia is stuck all over the place.

Thanks coach. I've got a massage booked for today to work on some tight glutes and lower back that may be affecting how things track. I'll see if she can do any work on fascial adhesions.