Aki Ueda writes:
The patient is a 42-year-old woman whose name is Yoko Kasiwagi. She is a media executive. Her problem is that she has been finding it increasingly difficult to move her left knee over the last 2 years. She says that she's been more and more fatigued lately and the crackling and stiffness in her left knee sometimes is very painful. She also says she has noticed that her left knee gets swollen and red, especially when she has to work late into the night. She was a marathon runner in her college days and during her running practice, she injured her left knee. Her father was also an athlete and he underwent ACL reconstruction surgery last year. So she's afraid that she might have rheumatoid arthritis or some other kind of arthritis.
To complete her diagnosis, first, I need more information by asking these questions. 1. Where does it hurt? 2. When does it hurt? 3. When did the pain first start? 4. Which daily tasks are hard to do? 5. Is she taking any medications? 6. Are there any allergies to medications?
Additionally, I will touch the affected joint to feel its swelling or bony growth. I will also stretch her sore joints to see if their movement is limited and to listen for crackling sounds. And depending on these physical examinations and her report, I may take X-rays to see if a bone is damaged by osteoarthritis and if so, how badly.
Here is what I want to say to Ms. K. If you have osteoarthritis, you ought to begin treatment as soon as possible. In your case, you stopped exercising altogether and have gained 7 or 8 kilos the last 2 years. Being overweight can cause of excess pressure on the joints. So it's a good idea to lose weight and relieve the pressure and strain. The best way to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight is to eat less and exercise more .You should eat the same healthy diet that is recommended for everyone that includes lots of foods that are low in fat and high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. And you should eat at the particular time 3 times a day as frequently as you can. Exercises can be divided into 3 groups; stretching, strengthening and fitness. Stretching exercises include anything that requires regular movement of a joint to its fullest capacity. They can be helpful to improve the movement in your joints. Strengthening exercises help maintain or build the muscles also improve the joint's movement. Lifting light weights, such as 1-to-2-pound dumbbells every other day is enough to make a difference. Fitness exercises are also called aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, swimming and bicycling. They increase your endurance, strengthen your heart and lungs, and give you energy. Swimming has less pressure on your knees than other sports, so I recommend you to swim at least once a week. You can make your own exercise program including these 3 exercises that fits your lifestyle and physical abilities. You may be busy working, so taking the stairs instead of the elevator and walking or riding your bike instead of driving can provide many benefits. But be sure not to exercise too much. If you have pains while or after exercising, please stop it immediately and call me.
If weight loss and exercise are not effective in relieving your symptoms, I will prescribe some medications. But before that, you should try to make every effort in partnership with me. In living with osteoarthritis throughout your life, there are 4 important pieces of advice. First, you should learn about osteoarthritis and effects and treatment yourself. The more you know about your illness, the more control you will have over it and the more successful your treatment is likely to be. Then, second, you always have to have a positive attitude to arthritis.It's not a fatal disease,so think you can gain control your symptoms and know you can accomplish everyday tasks yourself. It gives you self-confidence, and it can boost the effectiveness of your treatment program. And then you ought to protect your joint. For example, you can use support devices for walking, such as a cane or a walker regularly. They can help reduce strain on your knees. You can also be careful when lifting an object that are low or on the ground, that is, bend at your knees and lift by straightening your legs, keeping your back straight without squatting or kneeling. Maybe you can learn new ways to use your joints soon. Finally, the most important thing is that you can ask for help when you need it. Your family members, friends, doctors, physical therapists or a support group just needed to be asked. People are willing to help you and prevent your depression. Once you accept that you have osteoarthritis, you can live a full, active life more than ever.
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