Fit & Proper: That joint pain could be arthritis

Three months ago, Shaguna Chail (name changed) woke up in the middle of the night to have a glass of water and found she could not get out of bed. Her joints were swollen and pained severely when she tried to move. The young and busy executive, who hadn't had time to exercise in over two years, also found it difficult to perform everyday chores. Her wrist, fingers, feet, ankles and knees felt knotted and pained almost continuously. At 29, Chail was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Among the various musculoskeletal disorders that can affect an individual, arthritis is the most known. But despite the widespread awareness of the disease, there seems to be little knowledge of how to curb it in India, with people depending mainly on medicines to contain and restrain the inflammation. Arthritis, which causes pain and swelling in the joints, has been traditionally considered an old peoples' infirmity, but recent trends show the disease is slowly affecting younger people as well, especially children.Women seem to be more affected by it than men at all ages. The symptoms include:

• Joint pain, particularly while bending the joints
• Stiffness in joints, particularly when changing posture after a long time
• Joint swelling
• Fatigue
• Bumps/knots in joints, particularly the fingers

However, countering arthritis first requires proper knowledge of the ailment. The causes depend upon the type of arthritis affecting an individual. Arthritis is broadly classified into two types, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While osteoarthritis is a result of old age and generally affects people in the 45-70 age group, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is genetic in nature. Moreover, certain lifestyle factors such as low activity levels, smoking/drinking and weight- related issues increase the risk of contracting arthritis.

Many consider the disease untreatable, which is untrue. Arthritis is treatable, especially when detected in an early stage. Moreover, the dependence on medication is not really necessary. Physical therapy, while tough to implement initially, is very useful in restoring and maintaining joint mobility and range of motion, whereas occupational therapy helps in restoring functionality by adapting home and work conditions to alleviate the effects of arthritis. Special footwear and insoles are available to reduce pain and improve movement. Non-medical therapies such as heat and cold therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are also used for curbing inflammation and pain management.

One technique to halt the advance of arthritis that has gained much prominence in recent times is biofeedback. Including periodic check-up of the entire body, biofeedback takes into account various factors such as muscle strength, bone density, joint stress and bio-mechanism in order to provide an accurate assessment of arthritis risk. The individuals can then consult with trained physiotherapists and implement balance, range-of-motion, strengthening and agility exercises for building up joint, muscle and bone strength in order to maintain joint health and reduce the risk of arthritis.

As mentioned earlier, arthritis is becoming more common due to today's demanding work culture. However, with appropriate precautionary measures, proper nutrition and dedicated treatment, arthritis can be managed, treated and prevented to a great extent.

QUICK TIPS

• As with most musculoskeletal disorders, the most effective way of combating arthritis is prevention. Regular exercise - particularly aerobics - strengthens the joints supporting the muscles. Exercising also boosts metabolism and helps maintain weight, leading to better nutrient absorption, more bone density and less stress on the joints.
• Moreover, periodic rest and relaxation techniques can also be employed to avoid pain caused due to over exertion, particularly for individuals in professions that require heavy physical exertion.

Gundeep Singh
Physiotherapist, AktivOrtho, Delhi