Osteoarthritis, What is it? and what can help?

There is no cure for Osteoarthritis, but there are ways to manage it and minimalise pain, by offering support, warmth and compression.

Intro: What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a serious, debilitating and painful joint condition which is the most common form of arthritis and can affect any joint in our body.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the whole joint. We all know this condition as the “wear and tear” arthritis or the “old age” arthritis. However, osteoarthritis can degrade cartilage, change bone shape and affect soft tissues like ligaments and tendons which can cause swelling, pain, stiffness, as well as loss of mobility.

Signs and symptoms typically show up more often in individuals over the age of 50, but osteoarthritis can affect younger people too, especially those who have had a traumatic joint injury and/or surgery. It typically develops slowly over time, but after trauma, it can develop more quickly.

What can be done?

There is no cure for Osteoarthritis, but there are ways to manage it and minimalise pain, by offering support, warmth and compression. This will allow you to keep physically fit, maintaining a good quality of life and remaining mobile.

Most common types of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in the knee is very prevalent. With the joint sliding mechanism and the joint being load bearing majority of the time, the surfaces will wear down, causing instability and can result in bone-on-bone contact.

Shoulder joints are a large contributor to osteoarthritis reports, however it’s usually ligament laxity and instability in the shoulder combined with the lack of muscle strength from associated connective muscles plus the dead weight of the arm which causes arthritic symptoms.

Product recommendations

Pavis #41 Knee Brace

Pavis_Knee_Brace

The Pavis #41 knee brace is a premium quality product from Italian company Pavis. Pavis are known for their premium textiles and smart patented technologies. The 41 knee brace is lined with 100% cotton with a patented stretch and recoil fabric. The patented cross over elastic technology with it’s easy to apply hook and loop closures mean it’s easy to fasten securely against the leg and for those with poor hand dexterity.

The brace comes with the option to either wear it as a tight compression garment or with the added benefit of either flexible spiral stays (to give some mild left to right stability) or with monocentric semi-rigid steel side bars for superior control and stabilisation.

The knee brace provides warmth, compression and control. With the addition of the bars, the brace provides assistance in flexing and extending the leg, controlling some mild hyperextension which can occur due to lack of muscle control and will give plenty of support, to ensure the knee bends and glides more easily.

Therago Shoulder support

Orliman Therago Shoulder Support for Arthritis or Shoulder Injury

The Therago shoulder support is a premium Product from Spanish orthopaedic company – Orliman. The Therago range has been designed with arthritis is mind, in such a way that their materials give a therapeutic function. Therago offers compression and control via strong elastic materials.

The compression and design helps reduce swelling, gives proprioception to the joint, supporting the soft tissues in the shoulder, whilst also promoting blood flow to aid healing.

Anatomically designed to fit the shoulder securely, the double adjustment strap allows you to fully adjust the tension and easily find your preferred placement. The cross over strapping has been incorporated into the tight elastic sleeve which gives optimal support over the shoulder joint. With silicone points inside that prevent migration during activity, the brace acts like a second skin to ensure optimal support and comfort.

It is recommended that you see a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or questions. As always, feel free to contact us at The Hub on 02922 527897 or via email, enquiries@healthcare-hub.co.uk for free advice and recommendations.

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