1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles
Moderator

Living with arthritis: How do you stay active?

Posted by Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan, Mar 9, 2020

Let's talk about trying to stay active while living with arthritis. More than 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis and it is the No. 1 cause of disability in the country. Arthritis can be painful and debilitating, preventing many who have it from being active or doing the things they once enjoyed. The changes in physical capabilities can also have an effect on mental health as well. If you have arthritis, what sort of activities have you had to give up and how has that affected you? Have you found ways to adapt your activities or found new ones?

Let's start by introducing ourselves.

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ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Dec 24, 2020
In reply to @ess77 "There is only one exercise 'machine' I can use without extreme negative results. The recumbent stepper......I..." + (show)
@ess77

There is only one exercise 'machine' I can use without extreme negative results. The recumbent stepper......I love it! I get a full body work-out, very comfortably, with no strain on any joints or body. I can not use the recumbent bicycle, as the circular motion will damage my hips and put me in bed in a lot ot pain for several days. The stepper doesn't do that. Just want to mention as a good option. Blessings and Merry Christmas to you all! Elixabeth

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also, add this to your exercise if you can. BTW: pretty bad joint/bone deterioration in both hands, wrists, so I apologize for typos. Also, it takes a lot to sit at my computer. at desk. I'm looking for a laptop, etc. I've mentioned on another site that the warm therapy pool is saving my life, giving me new life. My neurologist at Mayo prescribed 2X weekly 1 hour pool time at rehab. Pool temp is 94degrees. It's warmer than a bath, cooler than hot tub which is not good for my b.p. So, I spend an hour walking, squatting, moving in the pool and I have no pain.....i walk into the water, hurting like crazy, then no pain. my body, muscles and all, love this treatment. Highly recommend. Blessings. Elizabeth

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Bill | @bilton | Dec 27, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@bilton I was scheduled to have a TKR in February of 2014 due to having arthritis..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@bilton I was scheduled to have a TKR in February of 2014 due to having arthritis in my knee. At the very last minute, it was cancelled due to low platelets. From that point on I exercised a lot, a recumbent bike being a big part of my exercise. I was finally able to have the replacement done in October 2017. By that time my pain had decreased significantly and I was walking much better due to exercise that strengthened the supporting muscles. I had friends who thought I was crazy to go ahead with the TKR but I knew eventually it would get bad again so I did.

Other exercises I did were walking and pool jogging. It really was amazing how much the exercise helped. My orthopedic surgeon loves the recumbent bike, and water jogging for exercise, something I didn't even realize when I started doing them.

You really need to check with your doctor, I am not a medical person, just a patient who has been through that experience, but I suspect he will support you exercising. It's always possible that there is a reason for you to not do that and your doctor should know what is best for you.
JK

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Thanks for the reply, asking for my mother who is 86 and I think she could only do mini cycle or some type of light chair exercise. She walks humps over and I think motivation is an issue as well

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1 reply
Bill | @bilton | Dec 27, 2020
In reply to @erikas "@bilton You are looking for information related to osteoarthritis in the knee and mini cycles. You..." + (show)
@erikas

@bilton You are looking for information related to osteoarthritis in the knee and mini cycles.

You will notice I moved your question to a previous discussion. I did this so you could more quickly connect with members like @gps123 @trellg132 @bonnieh218 @jmb73 @sueinmn @johnbishop that have experience with this topic and may be able answer your question.

May I ask if a mini cycle is an indoor bike?

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Thanks

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Bill | @bilton | Dec 27, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@bilton I would take a look at the exercises suggested by @johnbishop. As for the mini-cycles,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@bilton I would take a look at the exercises suggested by @johnbishop. As for the mini-cycles, many are intended for people who have been very sedentary, as a first step to getting some movement. Others are for cyclists trying to maintain fitness away from their bikes. You can find a review of several products here that describes each: https://cylanceprocycling.com/best-mini-exercise-bikes/
Sue

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Thanks for the information, this question was asked for my 86 year old mother who also needs motivation

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Bill | @bilton | Dec 27, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "@bilton - Like @contentandwell I also had a TKR last year due to advanced degenerative arthritis...." + (show)
@johnbishop

@bilton - Like @contentandwell I also had a TKR last year due to advanced degenerative arthritis. McMaster Optimal Aging Portal has some good information on osteoarthritis and exercise here:

Osteoarthritis and Exercise - Learn how to best manage osteoarthritis of the hip and knee with exercise. Reduce your symptoms and improve your mobility: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/e-learning/mobility

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Thank you so much for the information, I ask this question to help my 86 year old mother

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JK | @contentandwell | Dec 28, 2020
In reply to @bilton "Thanks for the reply, asking for my mother who is 86 and I think she could..." + (show)
@bilton

Thanks for the reply, asking for my mother who is 86 and I think she could only do mini cycle or some type of light chair exercise. She walks humps over and I think motivation is an issue as well

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@bilton Since the pandemic and having to stay at home I have started using YouTube exercise videos daily. You can find almost anything there. Check it out. Some of the videos which I use don't specify an age group but many are for seniors and beginners but perhaps a bit too advanced for your 86 year old mother. I am sure you could find something though. I have found them very helpful. I am 73.
The Silver Sneakers exercises are really geared to older people too. I don't do them because I am beyond that level, having been exercising for over 5 years now. There are some that use very light dumbbells, like two pounds each too.
JK

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gscheeley | @gscheeley | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @trayus "Hello, I have end-stage arthritis at 27 on my knee from an old injury that slowly..." + (show)
@trayus

Hello, I have end-stage arthritis at 27 on my knee from an old injury that slowly wore away the cartilage. By the time it was diagnosed, it was too late. I'm trying hard to stay active with anything I can....from jogging to yoga to weight lifting. I'm also hoping weight loss can lessen the pain. That said, surgery is looking more like a better option every day. Just not sure when I can work up the courage to do it.

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postpone surgery as long as possible. The doctors don't tell you that Arthritis attacks scar tissue around the replaced joint and you will still suffer from the pain.

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1 reply
sommerreign | @sommerreign | Mar 2 11:53am
In reply to @beatricefay "Sorry to read of your situation. There is no cure but many ways to help yourself...." + (show)
@beatricefay

Sorry to read of your situation. There is no cure but many ways to help yourself. For me it has been surgery, weight loss, physical therapy exercise, and a good orthopedist. That has provided for me, short term, and hopefully long term relief. As I don't know your personal story, I can't offer any other suggestions. I do know, healing is a process and it takes time. Getting as much information as you can about your specific condition is a good start. Good luck.

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What does the orthopedist do for you?

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cindymattern | @cindymattern | Mar 3 6:02am
In reply to @gscheeley "postpone surgery as long as possible. The doctors don't tell you that Arthritis attacks scar tissue..." + (show)
@gscheeley

postpone surgery as long as possible. The doctors don't tell you that Arthritis attacks scar tissue around the replaced joint and you will still suffer from the pain.

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I think this is my issue....I wear a compression hose that goes to my thigh and it helps during the day but at night I wake back and leg pain. It's gotten significantly worse since my knee replacement that I was told I had to have. My knee per se doesn't hurt but all the muscles and areas around it are sore and the more I do the worse it feels. I don't know what to do and am tired of hurting all the time. Can't take nsaids, pain meds constipate me terribly, and not sure if pain mgmt can help me. PT helps but I can't stay in it continually and I do the exercises at home. I'd love an answer. I am 16 month out on a TKR.

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1 reply
yab | @yab | Mar 3 10:32am
In reply to @cindymattern "I think this is my issue....I wear a compression hose that goes to my thigh and..." + (show)
@cindymattern

I think this is my issue....I wear a compression hose that goes to my thigh and it helps during the day but at night I wake back and leg pain. It's gotten significantly worse since my knee replacement that I was told I had to have. My knee per se doesn't hurt but all the muscles and areas around it are sore and the more I do the worse it feels. I don't know what to do and am tired of hurting all the time. Can't take nsaids, pain meds constipate me terribly, and not sure if pain mgmt can help me. PT helps but I can't stay in it continually and I do the exercises at home. I'd love an answer. I am 16 month out on a TKR.

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How is your muscle strength in the affected leg? I had two experiences with my knees, one recently (osteoarthritis inflammation), one twenty years ago (injury). In both cases my use of that leg was limited. I found that weakened muscles become very tender and painful just to the touch. Sleeping was a torture. Only PT alleviated and eventually eliminated pain as muscles in the leg regained their strength. Just wanted to share my observations. I wish you all the best.

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