Bone, Joint & Muscle Health Archive

A three-move routine—arm sweep, back bend, and chair pose—can help loosen stiff muscles in the shoulders, back, and legs.

Annually, about 790,000 Americans (about 60% women) undergo knee replacement surgery. Women are more likely to have arthritis, the main culprit leading to most knee replacements. Before surgery becomes an option, people first need to try conservative treatments such as pain relievers, injectable medications, and physical therapy. Signs a knee replacement may be necessary include pain that hinders people from doing basic activities, unstable walking, and needing multiple medications to function.

Cold weather can lead to stiff, sore muscles. To avoid that, it helps to perform two types of stretches. One type is called dynamic stretching. It involves flowing, repetitive motions that prepare muscles for activity by getting blood, oxygen, and heat to them. The other type is called static stretching. It involves holding a certain position for 20 to 30 seconds, which gently lengthens the muscles to keep them flexible. Static stretching should be performed only after the muscles are warmed up.

Older adults typically sit for about 65% to 80% of their waking hours. One problem of prolonged sitting is pain due to gluteal amnesia. It occurs from a weak gluteus medius—one of the three gluteal muscles that help stabilize the pelvis and maintain the body's proper alignment. Moving more often during the day and doing exercises that strengthen weak gluteal muscles can help prevent this problem.

Osteopenia is the precursor stage to osteoporosis (weak, thin bones that break easily). Ways to treat osteopenia include taking medications that slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk, exercising, eating protein- and calcium-rich foods, taking a calcium supplement to make up for a lack of dietary calcium, taking a vitamin D₃ supplement to help absorb calcium, and avoiding excessive alcohol intake. Vibration therapy (standing on a small vibrating platform) is not yet proven to be effective.

A gentle form of soccer called walking soccer is packed with health benefits. It's a great way to socialize, exercise, and keep knee cartilage healthy. Playing the game also helps reinforce a person's ability to maintain balance and the ability to produce physical power, such as the force needed to get out of a chair and stand up. However, the game does pose some physical risks, such as ankle sprains, flare-ups of knee arthritis, and falls that result in wrist, arm, or elbow fractures.

People with arthritis often avoid exercise because of their painful joints. However, exercise is one of the best ways to manage their symptoms, stay active, and improve their quality of life. Specific exercise routines can be designed around a person's type of arthritis, severity, and location, but usually focus on three areas: stretching, strength training, and low-impact aerobics.