Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis or OA makes your joints hurt or feel stiff after you rest and after activity. It usually affects the hands, low back, neck, hips and knees. OA can cause very bad pain, disability and may lead to a need for surgery. Here’s what you can do.

Try these tips so your joints will not hurt so much and will make your joints move better:

• If you are overweight, try to lose 5 to 10 pounds.
  
  
  
  
  • Eating smaller food portions helps you lose weight.
  
  
  
  


• Be active for 2-3 hours a week.
  
  
  
  • Walk, swim, or ride a bike.
  
  
  • Stretch your muscles and joints.
  
  
  • Exercise your hands.
  
  
  
  

Tell your doctor if you are having a very bad pain in your joints.

Ask your doctor about:

• What exercises you can do.


• How to lose weight.


• How to help your pain.

Ask your doctor if you need:

• x-rays


• braces or a cane.


• To see a diet specialist.


• To see a physical therapist.


• To see an arthritis doctor (a rheumatologist).