Some success with treating osteoarthritis

@mickeyb2, Thank you for sharing how you have managed your advanced degenerative osteoarthritis and the success you have had. It is a great story of how making positive changes in lifestyle can help with our health. I have degenerative arthritis also and after a success knee replacement I've made some changes to start losing weight and exercising more to build up my strength. I've also been searching for things I can do to help and your story gives me hope and incentive to keep working on the changes I've started. I found a few articles that I've found helpful and hoping it helps others focus on changes needed.

Simple tips for staying active and mobile with osteoarthritis: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/in-depth/simple-tips-for-staying-active-and-mobile-with-osteoarthritis/art-20390068

Arthritis pain: Do's and don'ts: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20046440

Are you able to share any more information on the specific exercises that have helped you the most?

Thanks for the articles. Knowledge is key to handling arthritis. As to exercises that have helped most, there are two areas. The first is the flexibility and/or range of motion. I target neck, shoulders, spine, hands, and hips. These I do every day. I spend about 20 minutes on these. The second is the weight training, two days a week. Dan Abrams recommended I go from a 12-15 rep target to 6-8 rep target on each of 3 sets. They also suggested I go from an hour of cardio (biking and fast walk) to 30 minutes. With weights, I target upper body, core, and legs. Upper body includes presses, curls, extensions, rows, etc. Core includes side planks, front planks, crunches. I use a foam roller for some of the spine exercises. Legs are several variations of squats. I highly recommend you go to a personal trainer such as those at Dan Abrams. The help they gave with targeting various joints was what helped the most. Form is crucial in protecting the joint, and maximizing the muscle development. I spend about 1 hour on weight training, two days a week.

mickeyb2 I have osteoarthritis too, but it mostly bothers me in the morning, my knees will hurt. I am Lilypaws and I had that big surgery (fusion) for my degeneration and stenosis (between my L-4 and 5. My surgery lasted 9 hours. It's been a little over 3 weeks and I do pretty well being on pain pills, but sometime raising from a low chair or couch it can be painful. My surgery included T-10 to my pelvis.

It sounds like you're having some significant surgeries. My doctor had talked with me about several surgical options for the arthritis in my spine. I have been very fortunate in that injections and physical therapy have been able to keep me upright so far.. I also had surgery on L5, but it was for a ruptured disc about 40 years ago. Good luck lilypaws, I am hoping this alleviates your problems.

Thank you all for your input. My second move was losing and maintaining a 200lb loss. The first was quiting tobacco. After more recent falling and breaking my right hip and elbow depression at the longer recovery than the reacement of the left hip with degenerative arthritis 16 years earlier had been an issue. From reading your responses it's evident that my excersizes need to be increased incrementally. Using a support on my phone males a big difference with my hands.

mickeyb2 I am doing very well. Just pain down in my 4-L and 5-L where I had pinched nerves. Been walking 3 blocks. I'm glad you are getting along without surgery, for it is a big surgery. Thank you for thinking of me.

@loloaemma WOW, I so proud of you. Quitting smoking and losing all the all that weight!! My daughter, who is 40 lost 45 LBs and then gained it all back. It worries me about her health. She has had so many problems with her health. Sinus Infections, Migraines, Asthma, and more. It's always something. Her doctor stopped her from working, because of the Covid-virus and she's suppose to go back the first of August. She still gets paid and got on Medicade. We still have to help her with her rent. I know you still have problems and I hope they go away for you.

Thank you. The best thing you can do for your daughter is to get her to CBT and OA. My voyage isn't over yet. There's a long story behind me and more again. Societal changes are more open to those who don't fit the expected and are rapidly changing. Fatshaming should be illegal. As a concerned parent you are a valuable resource for her. My good wishes go out to you.

@lolaemma What is CBT and OA? I hope I can get her to one of those, but she is 40 and has a mind of her own. We don't dare talk about her weight gain, but may of too. Thank you f or your suggestions. Let me know what CBT and OA are?

Sorry I should have be clearer. CBT is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - talk therapy end OA is Over Eaters anonymous a 12step program. Based on the discovery that most people who keep losing and gaining weight have an emotional unmet need and working the steps assist in self discovery. I also was an active participant on. Inspire.com a self help online therapy. It's run by professionals and have members internationally with participant group for every issue mental emotional and physical. It was my first contact to find my answer within and others led the way to by opening up about their feeling a anonymously. I read prodigiously a primer is Were ever I go there I am. OA has available literature. It's not your battle but you can offer ammunition. Good Luck