Living with Arthritis and Tips for Staying Active Without Pain

Arthritis affects millions of adults and can influence everything from mobility to daily comfort. While living with arthritis presents unique challenges, many people continue to stay active, engaged, and independent by working with their healthcare team to find management strategies that fit their individual needs.

Key Takeaways

• The term "arthritis" refers to over 100 conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues.
• Staying physically active may help support joint function for many people living with arthritis.
• Arthritis treatment plans vary depending on the type of arthritis someone has, along with symptom severity.

About Arthritis

"Arthritis" describes various conditions that can cause inflammation, pain, stiffness, or damage within the joints. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis is one of the most common causes of disability among adults.

Signs of Arthritis

Symptoms can vary wildly, with some experiencing mild discomfort and others living with significant limitations in movement. Common symptoms across many types of arthritis may include:

• Joint pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Reduced range of motion

Causes and Risk Factors of Arthritis

Exact causes vary depending on the form of arthritis someone has; some forms of arthritis develop because of age-related joint changes, while others result from autoimmune conditions or metabolic changes.

According to the CDC, common risk factors of arthritis include:

• Excess weight
• Smoking
• Joint-related injuries
• Repetitive movements from work-related activities
• Family history
• Age
• Certain infections

Managing Different Types of Arthritis: An Overview

Living with Osteoarthritis (OA)

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Conditions (NIAMS) states that osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common form of arthritis. OA develops when tissues that cushion joints gradually break down.

Common OA Symptoms:

The NIAMS states that people with osteoarthritis commonly report symptoms like stiffness and pain of the joints, reduced flexibility of the joints, joint tenderness, and unstable-feeling joints. These symptoms commonly affect the hands, hips, spine, and knees.

Working Out with OA:

Because OA occurs due to wearing of the joints, low-impact activities that reduce strain on weight-bearing joints are often recommended for people living with osteoporosis; these activities are often coupled with those that improve joint range of motion and increase flexibility. Low-impact activities include water aerobics, chair yoga, cycling, and walking.

Managing OA:

There is no cure for OA, so treatment is based on preventing the disease from progressing and improving symptoms. Common osteoarthritis treatment options, according to the NIAMS, include:

• Weight management
• Hyaluronic acid substitute injections, or viscosupplementation
• Oral anti-inflammatory medications
• Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs)
• Topical ointments
• Corticosteroids
• Surgery
• Assistive devices, such as a walker

Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. That means the immune system attacks otherwise healthy joint lining, resulting in inflammation.

Common Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Commonly reported symptoms of RA, according to the CDC, include:

• Joint pain and swelling
• Morning stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes
• Fatigue
• Warm joints
• Symmetrical joint involvement
• Periods of flare-ups and remission
• Deformity of affected joints

Working Out With Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Exercise routines that may be appropriate for some people with RA include walking, swimming, tai chi, and low-impact strength-training exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist. The Arthritis Foundation states that these activities are easy on the joints and may place less emphasis on the hands and wrists, which are areas of the body commonly affected by RA.

Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Treatment for RA involves managing flare-ups, reducing symptom severity, and slowing disease progression, according to the CDC. Popular treatment options include:

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Assistive devices like button hooks and ergonomic silverware

Living with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis; it can appear in people who have psoriasis. It affects the joints and, in many cases, the skin.

Common PsA Symptoms:

While PsA presents differently in different people, common signs of psoriatic arthritis are:

• Joint pain and stiffness
• Swollen fingers or toes
• Fatigue
• Visual changes to the nails
• Development or worsening of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
• Scaly skin on areas like the knees, scalp, or elbows

Working Out With PsA:

Workouts for people living with PsA are often focused on both alleviating symptom discomfort and improving joint mobility. That means many people find enjoyment from low-impact exercises like swimming and Pilates, as well as activities targeting affected joints, like neck stretches and foot exercises.

Managing PsA:

Treatment will vary for each individual, but popular ways many people manage their psoriatic arthritis symptoms include:

• Biologic therapies
• DMARDs
• Corticosteroid injections
• Anti-inflammatory medications

Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of inflammatory arthritis. While this form of arthritis most commonly impacts the spine and sacroiliac joints, other areas of the body may be affected. In extreme cases, vertebrae fuse together.

Common AS Symptoms:

The NIAMS states that the single most common AS symptom is pain and stiffness of the hip and lower back. However, other signs of this condition can include:

• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Pain in the abdomen
• Changes in vision
• Stiffness, inflammation, and pain in other joints

Working Out With AS:

For AS, the NIAMS states that most healthcare providers recommend low-impact activities like water aerobics.

Managing AS:

Treating AS, according to the NIAMS, is all about improving symptoms, maintaining functional abilities for daily activities, and helping slow disease progression. For most people, treatment plans include a mix of medications like Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and physical therapy, although more severe cases may benefit from surgical interventions.

Living with Gout

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis resulting from uric acid crystal buildup in the joints, often the big toe. Symptoms often appear suddenly, becoming severe during flare-ups.

Common Gout Symptoms:

Many people with gout report intense pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness, and swelling in the affected joint; flare-ups often begin at night and last for one to two weeks.

Working Out With Gout:

Resting the affected joint during a flare-up is often recommended for people living with gout. In other words, many people with gout benefit from avoiding exercise during symptom flare-ups.

Managing Gout:

Managing gout is tailored to individual symptoms and the stage of the disease, with many people treating the condition with methods like:

• Prescription medications like xanthine oxidase inhibitors and colchicine
• Monitoring uric acid levels
• Changes to diet

Tips for Staying Active with Arthritis

Physical activity helps many people manage arthritis symptoms, but not every type of activity is right for every person. Some general considerations for exercising with arthritis include:

• Discussing new exercise programs with a licensed healthcare provider before starting.
• Choosing low-impact activities that place less stress on the joints.
• Starting slowly and increasing activity gradually.
• Paying attention to how the body responds during and after exercise.
• Incorporating both aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercises, when appropriate.
• Allowing time for warm-ups and cool-downs.
• Using supportive footwear.
• Taking breaks during flare-ups.

Our most important tip for living with arthritis? Living in a supportive community that holistically engages each and every individual.

FAQs

How can people manage arthritis pain?

Pain management for arthritis varies depending on the type of arthritis someone has and how severe their symptoms are. That said, many people's treatment plan includes a combination of physical activity, weight management, physical and occupational therapy, over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs.

When should someone see a rheumatologist versus an orthopedist?

Rheumatologists specialize in diagnosing and managing autoimmune and inflammatory forms of arthritis (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis). Orthopedists focus on the musculoskeletal system and may become involved when joint damage, injuries, or surgical treatment options are appropriate.

How is inflammatory arthritis different from osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis typically develops from wear-and-tear changes that affect joint cartilage over time. Inflammatory arthritis involves immune system activity that causes inflammation within the joints.

Are there lifestyle changes that can help manage different forms of arthritis?

Lifestyle changes alone cannot treat arthritis, but they may help some people better manage symptoms as part of a larger treatment plan. Certain lifestyle changes that people may incorporate into their arthritis management plan include regular exercise and physical therapy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, express or implied. It cannot diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Always discuss changes in diet or physical activity with a licensed healthcare provider.