Living with osteoarthritis

As osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, it’s important you receive support to help you cope with any issues such as reduced mobility, and advice on any necessary financial support.

Some people may find it helpful to talk to their GP, physiotherapist or others who are living with osteoarthritis, as there may be questions or worries you want to share.

Read about living with osteoarthritis.

Preventing osteoarthritis

It’s not possible to prevent osteoarthritis altogether. However, you may be able to minimise your risk of developing the condition by avoiding injury and staying as healthy and active as possible.

Exercise

If you have pain try to Avoid excessive amounts of exercise that puts strain on your joints and forces them to bear an excessive load, such as running and weight training (running and weight training are good forms of exercise as long as they are done in a moderated way and are not causing joint pain)Instead, try exercises such as swimming and cycling, where your joints are better supported and the strain on your joints is more controlled.

Try to do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as cycling or fast walking) every week to build up your muscle strength and keep yourself generally healthy.

Read about health and fitness – including tips on simple exercises you can do at home.

Posture

It can also help to maintain good posture at all times and avoid staying in the same position for too long.

If you work at a desk, make sure your chair is at the correct height, and take regular breaks to move around.

Read about common posture mistakes and fixes.

Losing weight

Being overweight or obese can increase the strain on your joints and increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. If you’re overweight, losing weight may help lower your chances of developing the condition.

To find out whether you’re overweight or obese, use the healthy weight calculator.