Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 1.2 million Kentuckians. “The hallmark of osteoarthritis is the breakdown of cartilage — the part of a joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement. As cartilage begins to deteriorate, the bones rub against one another. This can cause stiffness and pain leading to loss of joint function,” said Reid Brown, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Baptist Health Louisville.

Tips to Protect Your Joints

Minimize your risk while protecting your joints with these do’s and dont’s:

Do Keep Your Weight Down

For every one pound you shed, you’ll lower the load you exert on your knees by four pounds, Dr. Brown said.

Do Exercise

It keeps your joints flexible and improves muscle strength. Exercise keeps your thigh and calf muscles strong to take the pressure off your knees. Low-impact exercise is best.

Don’t Ignore Pain

If you experience pain after an activity, you may have overstressed your joints. “If the pain lasts longer than a week to 10 days, go see a doctor.

Do you know where to go for Orthopedic Care? Being part of the Baptist Health family means we take the time to listen. The needs of our patients are our top priority. Everyone, from our office staff to our surgeons, is here to help you feel better. We do our best to make your experience the smoothest it can be and invite you to learn more.