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Reducing Your Risk of Osteoarthritis

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Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Living With Osteoarthritis Resource Guide

There are no real methods for preventing the development of osteoarthritis. However, following certain preventive measures may slow its progression. Such measures include:

Keep your weight in an appropriate range for your age, height, and body type. Carrying excess body weight can put increased stress on your bones and joints. By maintaining a healthful weight, you can reduce the stress on your body.

Although exercise is good for your body, you may want to avoid activities that might injure your joints or that require intense, repetitive joint motion, or repetitive stress on “at risk” joints.

Eat a balanced diet that contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein foods.

Participating in a safe exercise program will strengthen your muscles, which will help support and stabilize your joints. And these muscles help to absorb some of the energy, or shock, delivered to the limb.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.arthritis.org/ .

  • Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.

  • Conn’s Current Therapy . 54th ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2002.

  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/ .

  • Manek NJ, Lane NE. Osteoarthritis: current concepts in diagnosis and management. American Family Physician . 2000;51(6). Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000315/1795.html.

  • 2/15/2013 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : McAlindon T, Lavalley M, Schneider E, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on progression of knee pain and cartilage volume in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis: a randomized control trial. JAMA. 2013;309(2):155-62.