Hayat News – Degenerative arthritis, medically known as osteoarthritis, is one of the most common joint diseases, as it causes pain, stiffness, and swelling, and limits the ability to move.
It most often affects the knees, hips, and hands, but it may appear in other joints as well.
When osteoarthritis is diagnosed, exercise is usually one of the first treatment recommendations. It has become established in recent years as an essential option for relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, but a recent scientific review has reopened the debate about the effectiveness of exercise in this context.
Despite the conclusions of the study published on the “Science Alert” website, specialists confirm that the results require careful reading, and should not prompt patients to stop physical activity or abandon their exercise programs.
The results of the review showed that exercise achieved slight reductions in pain levels, ranging between 6 and 12 points on a 100-point scale, compared to doing no treatment or using placebos.
In contrast, exercise did not show a clear improvement in motor function compared to these options.
The data also showed that the effectiveness of exercises in relieving pain in knee and hip patients was close to the effect of some common medications, such as: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroid injections.
Surgical joint replacement remains the most effective option in advanced cases.
Benefits go beyond pain relief
Even with limited reductions in pain, specialists believe that a 10% improvement can make a significant difference in daily life, in terms of mobility, activity and independence.
Exercise also provides the added advantage of not having the side effects associated with some medications.
The benefits of physical activity are not limited to the joints only, but extend to heart health, improving mood, helping to control weight, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
What are patients advised to do?
Evidence suggests that continuing exercise remains a safe and beneficial option for most patients, provided an activity is chosen that is appropriate for the health condition.
Specialists confirm that the best exercises are those that can be adhered to regularly.
Walking, for example, is a practical and simple option, as it combines improving general fitness and contributing to pain relief, without complex requirements.
