A recent study that included 206 people indicates that people suffering from hip and knee arthritis benefit with regular exercise as well in combination with physical therapy. The average age of the group was 66 and it was noticed that the group that exercised and went in for physical therapy felt improvements in their physical functions over two years as against those who were given usual care.
The patients had knee X-rays taken and their symptoms were noted. After 2 months, they were categorized as having radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) or symptomatic osteoarthritis (SOA). Those who jogged regularly displayed less SOA than those who did not engage in this activity.
The findings of this study will be presented on Saturday at the American College of Rheumatology during the annual meeting in Boston.
Older individuals experience osteoarthritis in their middle years and this is characterized by a breakdown of joint cartilage. It is not clear whether people who run regularly will be spared from this pre-existing knee osteoarthritis condition.
Dr Grace Hsiao-Wei Lo, lead author in an American College of Rheumatology said in a news release “This does not address the question of whether or not running is harmful to people who have pre-existing knee OA.”
Dr. Grace went on to say “However in people who do not have knee osteoarthritis, there is no reason to restrict participation in habitual running at any time in life from the perspective that is does not appear to be harmful to the knee joint.”
The new study also indicates that the popular dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin does not relieve pain and stiffness significantly. The progression of the disease was not retarded either.
Osteoarthritis is a common type of disease that is noticed among middle-aged people as well as the elderly. The cartilage in the joints get progressively damage and causes swelling and pain which reduces the movement of the joints.
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