Osteoarthritis pain

Post your Osteoarthritis related questions for our experts here.

Moderator: talkhealth

Locked
4 posts
Guest Posts
Posts: 796
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2016 4:12 pm
Quote

by Guest Posts on Thu Oct 20, 2016 9:38 am

Osteoarthritis pain

On behalf of our guest visitor, Christine:
I have osteoarthritis in my lower back. I have had injections twice first time didn't help for long then came back with a vengeance. Second worked on one side and it hasn't returned. My pain doctor said I have to live with it. I try to be positive but a lot of the time I am in despair. Do you have any suggestions?

P.S. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
talkhealth team on behalf of a guest visitor

User avatar
Arthritis Care
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2016 10:27 am
Quote

by Arthritis Care on Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:35 pm

Re: Osteoarthritis pain

Hi Christine,

Thank you for your post. It sounds like you are going through a really tough time at the moment due to the pain in your back and your arthritis. If it would help to talk things over informally and in confidence, you are very welcome to call our Arthritis Care Free Helpline 0808 800 4050, weekdays 10am – 4pm.
You mention that you have tried injections. There are also other approaches to managing pain which may help.

Arthritis Care have produced a booklet about managing pain which you can download. Follow this link: https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/what-i ... aging-pain

The Arthritis Care website is a useful source of information on types of arthritis and living with arthritis in daily life. For more information about managing arthritis, e.g. exercise and diet, see: https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/managing-arthritis

I am wondering whether you have seen a physiotherapist? A physiotherapist can carry out an individual assessment and give advice about specific exercises.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helplines Team

User avatar
wendygreen
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:23 pm
Quote

by wendygreen on Sun Oct 23, 2016 8:04 pm

Re: Osteoarthritis pain

Hi Christine,

I'd just like to re-iterate the excellent advice from Arthritis Care - especially their recommendation that you see a physiotherapist - you can ask you GP for a referral. Doing the right type of exercises will help to ease the pain (thus lessening the need for pain relief) and stiffness and improve your mobility.

I'd also recommend that you keep your weight at a healthy level, as any excess weight puts extra pressure on the back and can throw the spine out of alignment, which can also trigger back pain.

Watching your posture is important too. Try to keep your ears, shoulders and hips aligned, as poor posture puts extra strain on the spine.

Avoid sitting for long periods of time - get up and move around at least once an hour. Gentle activities such as swimming or yoga will improve muscle strength and keep your weight in check. Swimming is especially good because the water supports the body's weight, which means it doesn't put much strain on the joints.

I hope this helps.

Wendy
Wendy Green
Health Expert & Author - BSc (Hons) Health Studies
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... _green.php

User avatar
Nicola Footman
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2016 12:11 pm
Quote

by Nicola Footman on Mon Oct 24, 2016 12:34 pm

Re: Osteoarthritis pain

Hello

Have you tried physiotherapy? It can work very well for back pain and you can be offered advice, given specific exercises, have some soft tissue release/manual therapy and also maybe be offered acupuncture for the pain.

It might also be worth seeking advice from your Rheumatologist if you are under the care of one as the RA and Lupus might be influencing your symptoms too.

Good luck!
Nicola
Nicola Footman
Senior Physiotherapist - BSc (Hons) MCSP SRP
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... ootman.php

Locked
4 posts