Sheila Wallace of the Arthritis Foundation will present a program on arthritis at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Rd. The public is welcome to join the residents for this free presentation.
Osteoarthritis (OA), also called osteoarthroses or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage– the part of a joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint. Over time OA may create a need for joint replacements.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, this chronic disease affects some 27 million Americans.
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There are two types of OA – primary and secondary. Primary osteoarthritis is generally associated with aging and the "wear and tear" of life. The older a person is, the more likely he or she is to have some degree of primary osteoarthritis.
However, not everyone gets it – not even the very old. That’s because OA is a disease, and not part of the normal aging process. Secondary osteoarthritis, in contrast, tends to develop relatively early in life, typically 10 or more years after a specific cause, such as an injury or obesity.
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Osteoarthritis occurs most often in knees, hips and hands. Other joints, particularly the shoulders, can also be affected. OA rarely affects other joints, except as a result of injury or unusual physical stress.
Physical activity and weight loss are two effective non-drug treatments for osteoarthritis. It’s important to remain physically active despite any initial discomfort. Exercise keeps joints moving, which helps them stay lubricated. It also builds strength in the muscles surrounding the affected joint, so they can support it.
Shedding extra pounds can ease the strain on already burdened joints – every pound lost reduces the burden on your knees by 4 pounds.
The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
Again, the program is free and open to the public. For more information, call Shelly Goggins at 815-609-0669 or visit http://www.timbersofshorewood.com.
