Introduction
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that affects people of all ages and fitness levels. Although it’s more common in older adults, OA can affect anyone at any time. So if you’re an active master athlete who wants to keep training but is struggling with pain, you need to know how to live with OA so your quality of life doesn’t suffer.
Diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects an estimated 27 million Americans, making it the most common type of arthritis. The condition typically develops as people age, but can also occur in younger populations who are at risk for injury or have systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain and stiffness in the joints (usually around the knees), which makes it difficult to move around freely and perform daily activities. While some people may experience mild symptoms, others will feel severe pain that affects their ability to participate in physical activities they enjoy—such as running marathons or playing tennis with friends—and can even lead to depression due to loss of independence and quality of life.
Care and Training.
- Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do.
- It’s important to find exercises that keep your joints mobile and strong. For example, squats and lunges are great for building leg strength and increasing flexibility in the hips. Planks are an excellent way to build core strength without adding weight. Try out an exercise ball or foam roller for some self-massage!
- Cross training is very important for OA athletes because it allows us to train different muscle groups than we would use in running or swimming. Even if it seems impossible at first, try walking using a weighted vest or taking up snowshoeing or cross country skiing!
Strength and Conditioning.
Challenging your muscles with resistance training is one of the most effective ways to manage OA. As you age, it’s inevitable that your muscle mass will decrease, but weight-bearing exercises can help you maintain or even increase strength and muscle mass. Weight-bearing exercises are also great for building endurance and improving functional fitness, which will help reduce the risk of falls and other injuries related to OA.
If you’re new to lifting weights or don’t know where to start, check out this article on beginner strength training by our friends at Men’s Health. You may want to start with light weights and high repetitions until you get comfortable with the movements before ramping up the intensity or adding more weight!
Medicine.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most common medications used to treat osteoarthritis. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin.
- A topical NSAID is applied directly on the skin in order to reduce inflammation of the joint without having any effect on your internal organs, such as your stomach or kidneys. It can help reduce pain and swellings associated with arthritis but it’s less effective than oral medications taken by mouth.
- Topical pain relievers work by numbing a painful area so that you feel less discomfort when you use it and also appear to relieve inflammation from arthritis. They’re often used together with other treatments like heating pads or ice packs for faster results.
- Topical analgesics are another type of medicine that numb painful areas around your joints for better comfort while moving them around during exercise routines or everyday tasks like walking around town! These drugs might also help prevent swelling after injury occurs too!
Conclusion.
Chronic pain is not the same as acute pain. Acute pain is temporary and will dissipate after a few days. Chronic pain lasts longer than 3 months, or if it recurs intermittently, for at least 3 months.
Pain does not have to be felt in your joints to be considered osteoarthritis (OA).
OA affects more than just the knee and hip!
You can live and train with OA as a masters athlete without sacrificing your goals or quality of life by taking these steps.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can strike at any age. The result of daily wear and tear, it often begins in middle age and progresses gradually over time. It’s not uncommon to hear some people dismiss OA as an inevitable part of aging, but many people with arthritis are still able to lead active lives — even competitive ones.
With the right approach, you can live and train with OA as a masters athlete without sacrificing your goals or quality of life. Here’s how:
- Make sure you have a physician who is familiar with the latest treatments for OA and who knows what kind of effect they’ll have on your training schedule.
- Work out regularly, but practice good form to prevent further injury or worsening pain (this means don’t forget about warming up!). Also be aware that if certain exercises become too painful, it’s best to avoid them altogether rather than risk further injury; try switching things up by doing other forms of cross-training like swimming or biking instead!
Conclusion
OA is a common condition that affects many people as they age. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to live better with OA and continue your athletic pursuits as a masters athlete. Exercise has been shown to decrease pain in people with OA by improving their balance, flexibility and strength. Strength training will prevent muscle wasting due to inactivity while improving the function of affected joints. In addition, regular activity provides psychological benefits such as increased happiness levels and improved moods which are important for anyone who is dealing with chronic pain issues such as those caused by arthritis or injury rehabilitation programs such as post-surgical rehabilitation.