OSTEOARTHRITIS AND PHYSIOTHERAPY: THE ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF PEOPLE AFFECTED

Once a year, the physiotherapy community celebrates a special day for us with the aim of promoting our profession, defending access for all, to improving health and well-being.

Today, September 8th, we celebrate the World Physiotherapist Day in commemoration of the day the World Confederation of Physiotherapy was founded in 1951. World Physiotherapy operates as a non-profit organisation, is registered as a charity and advocates for the application of physiotherapy around the world.

Every year the celebration of World Physiotherapy Day focuses on a main theme and this year the chosen theme is osteoarthritis and the role of physiotherapists in its prevention and in the treatment of affected people, and CORPORIS FISIOTERAPIA also we want to echo.

 

WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint condition. It can affect any moveable joint, most commonly the knees, hips, and hands.

It may start with a minor or major injury to the joint. Early in the disease process the body has the resources to repair these changes. As the disease progresses, the body’s repair system can’t keep up and joint tissues start to break down, including cartilage thinning, bone reshaping, bony lumps and joint inflammation. Despite these changes, the joint can still work normally, without any pain or stiffness.

Neverthless, OSTEOARTHRITIS IS A LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY, and it affects around 520 million people around the world.

OSTEOARTHRITIS IS CHARACTERISED BY:

pain,

functional impairments,

muscle weakness,

joint stiffness,

reduced health related quality of life.

WHAT CAUSES OSTEOARTHRITIS?

The exact cause of Osteoarthritis is still unclear. Risk factors that increase the risk of osteoarthritis include:

• having overweight or obesity,
• having a previous joint injury, joint surgery and/or history of overuse of the joint,
• your genetics (eg a family history of osteoarthritis)

HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Exercise is the first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. In addition to helping you choose the best exercises, physiotherapists provide advice and education on pain relief and ways to manage osteoarthritis.

We can teach you how to improve your joint movement and your walking, as well as how to strengthen your muscles. If you need to have a joint replacement, you are also likely to see a physiotherapist before and after the operation. We will help prepare you to get the maximum benefit from the surgery, and help you recover well after it.

Do not hesitate to contact us for professional advice.

 

Some data:

• 60% of all osteoarthritis cases are for knee osteoarthritis.
• In a global study of 291 conditions, hip and knee osteoarthritis was ranked as 11th highest contributor to disability.
• There has been a 48% increase in number of people affected globally with osteoarthritis from 1990 to 2019.
• Physiotherapy and its link to sport with sports physiotherapy is the best possible treatment for osteoarthritis.

 

 

 

This post is also available in: Spanish