Osteoarthritis - Why Exercise?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of adult disability. The etiology of OA is not clear, but common risk factors for developing OA include age, joint injury, mechanical overuse, and obesity. Exercise is the most common non-pharmacologic therapy prescribed to patients with osteoarthritis. The Arthritis Foundation promotes an exercise program involving low-impact physical activity, and participants have reported less pain and fatigue, and increased strength. Clinical trials of patients with OA report physical activities including aerobic exercise, stretching/flexibility, endurance training, aquatic exercise, and muscle strengthening lead to improvements in pain relief, body weight, and metabolic abnormalities [1]. Factors which are critical to successful outcomes of exercise programs include performing exercises at an appropriate intensity and duration, and long-term adherence to exercise programs. Individualized exercise programs are important to educate patients to avoid exercises which may be harmful to injured joints (e.g. high impact activities). Patient monitoring or prescription of exercises which the patients find enjoyable may promote long-term adherence to an exercise program.