Arthritis is a painful condition that can affect any joint in your body. We commonly treat pelvic, hip, knee and ankle arthritis. There are different types of arthritis but the most common is osteoarthritis which affects millions of people around the world. It is a degenerative condition that develops when cartilage begins to deteriorate.
Cartilage is a smooth, slippery tissue that cushions the ends of the bones and enables them to move smoothly over each other. As it wears away, the bones may start to rub against each other causing pain and stiffness. Bone spurs may develop and the joint lining may become inflamed.
As osteoarthritis worsens, it can become increasingly challenging to perform normal everyday tasks. It is important not to try and continue as you always have but to accept the changes in your body and make simple adaptations to your routine that can make your life easier.
Here are some suggestions:
- Choose the best time of day – If your symptoms tend to be worse in the morning, consider switching your routine around so you do more of your day-to-day tasks, like washing your hair or taking a shower, in the evening when your pain levels are more manageable. Also, remember to pace yourself as fatigue is a major challenge for people with painful arthritis. Allow plenty of time and build in some rest breaks. Don’t be afraid to ask your family for help if you are finding it harder to manage day-to-day activities like laundry or housework.
- Toilet tips – People with moderate to severe hip and knee arthritis can find it difficult to sit down and get up off the toilet. A raised toilet seat can help with this. Some toilet seats have rails attached that you can use to push yourself up and lower yourself down, alternatively rails can be fitted to the walls.
- Bathing and showering – Rails can also be used in the bath or shower to help you get in and out safely, along with a non-slip rubber mat to help prevent falls. A shower stool is recommended for people with hip or knee arthritis who can find it difficult to stand for an extended period of time. This can also help with feet washing but if you still find this difficult, try using a long brush to reduce the amount of bending. If you struggle to dry yourself properly after a bath or shower, switch to lightweight towels which can be easier to manage than thicker, heavier ones or use a flannel mitt to dry yourself.
- Investigate the range of specially-designed aids – There are many innovative aids and adaptations that can be made to your home to make it easier to manage as your level of pain and disability increases. Ask your council for a free needs assessment as you may be eligible to receive these at no cost and if you need to make major adaptations to your home enquire about a Disabled Facilities Grant.
- Adapt your wardrobe – Changing your style of clothing can help to relieve some of the frustration of getting dressed and undressed, as it can be hard to maintain your balance if your hips or knees feel weak and painful. Loose clothing with an elasticated waistband can be easier to put on and take off and avoids the need to struggle with zips and buttons, particularly if your fingers are stiff and sore. If you do need to use zips, try using zipper aids and avoid back fastenings if you can. Well-fitting, non-slip shoes are particularly important if you have arthritis and may help to prevent falls. Choose shoes that feel comfortable and have a sturdy, non-slip sole. Velcro fastenings can be particularly helpful and a long-handled shoehorn can be useful if you struggle to bend to put your shoes on.
Simple adaptations like these can make it easier to manage the day-to-day challenges of arthritis. However, as the condition develops you may find that you need to consider the different treatment options.
While arthritis cannot be cured, there are treatments available that can slow the deterioration and make it easier to manage the symptoms, including physiotherapy, painkilling medication and hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma (PRP), arthrosamid and corticosteroid injections. For the most severe cases, joint replacement surgery is a routine procedure that can vastly improve quality of life.
For more information about diagnosis and treatment for all forms of arthritis, contact us.
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