RA all over

[Guest Posts]

Lost 12stone and was told the pain in hips would reduce I'm waiting for hip replacement but pain has increased more and seizing up more also why I have RA and osteoarthritis in both hips and lower back RA all over.

Thanks, Carl

[Dr Sandeep Bawa]

Hi,

OA and RA can affect all these joints.

Has your doctor considered a joint injection if your op will be more than 3 months away?

Hope that helps

thanks

Sandeep

[Wendy Green]

Hi Carl,

Losing 12 stones will have greatly reduced the burden on your joints - so very well done!

Gentle exercise can also help ease joint pain and stiffness and improve mobility. It would also improve your fitness and help you maintain your weight loss.

Walking, swimming and cycling are great low-impact exercises to try. Forms of exercise that involve stretching, such as yoga, t'ai chi and pilates help to loosen stiff joints and improve flexibility. It may be worth trying one or more of these activities, while you wait for your op.

You may also want to try eating a Mediterranean diet, as it has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and therefore help ease arthritis pain. This means focussing on fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, beans, lentils and pulses, spices like garlic, ginger and turmeric and olive and rapeseed oils. You may also want to try a turmeric supplement.

I hope this helps and good luck with your op.

[Tracy Corbett]

Hi, Carl

You might like to ask your GP to refer you to physiotherapy in preparation for your surgery. Your physiotherapist can assess you and prescribe appropriate exercises to prepare for your op. This would help with your recovery afterward. Your physiotherapist may also be able to advise on some pain relief modalities while you wait for the surgery.