Understanding Arthritis

I have osteoarthritis. Forty three years of skiing and ski racing, 4 major knee reconstructions, and thirteen arthroscopes may have accelerated this, but it’s likely that I would have developed the condition anyway. My family, all former athletes, have arthritis too.

Actually, most people I know have some degree of osteoarthritis. Friends and family that don’t have arthritis yet, eventually will develop it too. I’ve found that learning to understand what arthritis is and what it does has been very helpful in deciding how best to treat it.

Arthritis is pain, stiffness and swelling lasting longer than 2 weeks. “Arth” actually means ‘joint’ and “itis” is ‘inflammation’. Therefore arthritis, literally translated, means joint inflammation. And with over 100 joints in the body, there are plenty of areas susceptible to inflammation and pain. Although, arthritis generally attacks weight-bearing joints like feet, hips, knees and spine, hands and fingers are also a prime target for stiffness and pain.

Arthritis is the general term that describes many different conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, lupus, gout and fibromyalgia. These conditions affect over 4 million Canadians, over 10% of the population. It’s a disease that affects all ages, not just older people!! It is so prevalent amongst Canadians that 15% of all long term disability, (that is the inability to work) is caused by arthritis.

For me, arthritis pain means not being able to riding my bike. Stiffness makes it impossible to pedal around a full rotation. The nagging pain makes me feel like sitting rather than getting up and doing. Pain and stiffness make me tired, cranky and no fun to be around. And the reduction in physical activity has it’s own negative effects. Over time, arthritis pain wears you down, physically and mentally.

There are many ways of dealing with the pain but not all treat the cause. Ice relieves swelling short term but not pain. Acetaminophen reduces the pain but does nothing to reduce the inflammation in the affected joint, therefore doesn’t increase mobility. Drugs like codeine are narcotics that affect the central nervous system. They reduce the sensitivity to pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are used to treat arthritis in low doses for pain and higher doses for inflammation and swelling. Examples of some NSAIDS available include ASA (Ibuprofen, Motrin, and Advil) Naprosin, Voltarin and Butozol. But all medications have side effects, anything from an upset stomach to ulcers.

From my experience, another option that works is viscosupplementation. Synvisc, Orthoasvisc and Neovisc are clear gel-like substances injected into the arthritic joint offering lubrication, reduction in swelling and relief of pain. The problem is that it requires 3 injections over a three week period, there is a high incidence of allergic reaction and the procedure, paid without insurance, is very, very expensive and lasts less than 1 year.

Total joint replacement surgery is a final resort. It’s a big commitment in terms of recovery but relieves the pain and swelling completely. Some high-risk physical activities are not recommended after joint replacement.

Finally, there’s therapeutic ultrasound, something I’ve tried and believe in and continue to use. Utilizing sound waves at 1 million vibrations per second, ultrasound penetrates 3 inches into the joint to relieve pain at the site. New research indicates that ultrasound can effectively reduce inflammation associated with injury and arthritis, as well as reduce the pain. This is why it’s been used in hospitals and rehab clinics worldwide for over 60 year. Sonic Relief Portable Pain Therapy home ultrasound is the first portable unit now available. I’ve found that when I use it as directed, I not only get immediate relief of pain but the swelling is reduced and I’m able to perform activities I couldn’t before. Best of all, the beneficial effects of ultrasound are long lasting. It isn’t just a cover up, ultrasound gets to the root of the problem, to the source of the pain and the results speak for themselves. It is safe, easy to use, inexpensive and the benefits are cumulative. It’s available for purchase for the first time ever and portable enough to travel anywhere.

Please remember that September is Arthritis Month in Canada. The Arthritis Society of Canada can provide a wealth or information, as well as answers to commonly asked questions at their website www.arthritis.ca.
For more information or to purchase Sonic Relief, visit www.sonicrelief.com.