walking sticks arthritis

It is perhaps the ultimate exercise catch-22: it's hard to move with knee osteoarthritis, but moving helps relieve osteoarthritis knee pain.

More than 30 million Americans have osteoarthritis, the most common kind of arthritis. While osteoarthritis can affect the hips, lower back, neck, and fingers, it occurs most often in the knees. In fact, an estimated 10% of men ages 60 and older have symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

The condition slowly wears away joint cartilage so the surfaces of the shin bone, thighbone, and kneecap rub together, which can lead to pain, swelling, and inflammation and make movement difficult," says Dr. Adam Tenforde, sports medicine physician and an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

Osteoarthritis is more common as you age, but a family history of the disease or a previous injury can further increase your risk. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or aspirin, can temporarily soothe arthritis pain and inflammation. Steroid injections also may offer short-term relief. But an easier and safer way to manage symptoms is to simply get moving.

"Walking is a wonderful exercise". "Just finding a neighbor you enjoy [talking with] and going out for a walk instead of talking over the fence would be a great way to weave that into your day."