Does Arthritis Affect Your Mobility?
What causes arthritis?1
Arthritis is a condition which describes damage to the joints within the body. Joints can become damaged through:
• Repetitive movements (doing the same thing over and over e.g. typing or playing certain sports)
• Strain (from carrying or lifting heavy objects or being overweight)
• Poor posture (puts strain on muscles and ligaments)
• Injury (e.g. through car accidents, falls or breaking bones)
There are many different types of arthritis, which are caused by different processes occurring within the body to cause damage to joints. The two main arthritis types are:
• Osteoarthritis – joints become damaged by tiny parts of bone growing outwards, causing swelling in the joint and the interior of the joint to become narrower
• Rheumatoid arthritis – joints become damaged by inflammation which occurs because the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints
Will arthritis affect my mobility?
According to Arthritis Action, arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the UK.2
If you suffer from joint pain or arthritis in your hips, knees or other weight bearing joints, it may affect your mobility. If you suffer pain when walking, it can be a common solution to want to avoid walking to avoid this pain, but this isn’t necessarily the best course of action.
How can I help manage my arthritis?
At home techniques – You can help yourself to manage this by using at home techniques like heat packs, ice packs and anti-inflammatory medication
Walking aids – Invest in a walking aid like a walking stick or a rollator.
Take breaks often – When you are walking, or gardening or anything else, take regular breaks
Exercise – Exercise can increase the strength in your joints. You can increase your exercise with small simple changes like increasing the amount you walk, take up gardening, or join a yoga group!
References
1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/
2. https://www.arthritisaction.org.uk/living-with-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/
