Sport and osteoarthritis, Can we continue to do sports?
Contrary to popular belief, practicing sport with osteoarthritis does not aggravate the disease.adapted physical activity on the contrary, it is beneficial: it strengthens the muscles, maintains joint mobility, improves joint lubrication and slows down the progression of the pathology.
Dr. Coulin encourages his patients to stay active, taking into account the pain level, the location of the osteoarthritis (hip, knee, spine, hands) and the objectives of each person.
The benefits of movement
In cases of osteoarthritis, prolonged rest is generally not a good strategy. Immobility leads to:
- joint stiffness,
- muscle wasting,
- a loss of balance,
which increases the pain and increases the risk of falling.
Conversely, the sport adapted to osteoarthritis becomes a real treatment. Regular and gentle practice allows:
- of reduce pain and inflammation,
- of maintain joint flexibility,
- of strengthen stabilizer muscles,
- ofimprove quality of life and autonomy.
Thus, supervised movement is not only permitted: it becomes a central therapeutic tool in the management of osteoarthritis.
Sports recommended by Dr. Coulin
Not all sports are equal when it comes to osteoarthritis. Some protect the joint, while others put additional strain on it. Dr. Coulin generally recommends low joint impact sports :
- Swimming (except classic breaststroke, which is too restrictive for the knees).
- The bicycle or elliptical trainer, excellent for cardio and strengthening.
- Regular walking, especially on flat, stable ground.
- Gentle yoga or adapted Pilates, to work on flexibility and balance.
- Aquagym or gentle gymnastics, which reduce stress thanks to the lift of the water.
These disciplines promote core strength, joint range of motion and muscular endurance, while limiting pressure on the cartilage.
Practices to avoid
Certain sports are not recommended for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, especially in cases of severe pain or advanced osteoarthritis. These mainly include:
- sports with frequent impacts, jumps or pivots (running, tennis, football, alpine skiing),
- activities with repeated heavy loads (bodybuilding without supervision),
- practices on unstable ground or involving sudden movements.
This does not mean a permanent ban. These sports can sometimes be practiced, but with a rigorous warm-up, a adapted technique, a supervised progression and one attentive listening to the body.
Adapting sport to the stage of osteoarthritis
Sports practice must evolve according to the progress of osteoarthritis:
- During painful outbreaks, priority to discharge activities, such as swimming or gentle cycling.
- In stable phase, gradual reintroduction of more varied exercises, respecting joint tolerance.
Dr. Coulin collaborates with specialized physiotherapists to offer personalized programs, adapted to the location of the osteoarthritis, the age and lifestyle of the patient.
Why continue exercising despite osteoarthritis?
The practice of a regular physical activity with osteoarthritis offers several long-term benefits:
- She delays the progression of the disease,
- She prevents premature loss of autonomy,
- She reduces the risk of other pathologies (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, overweight),
- She improves morale and well-being overall.
Therefore, moving remains one of the best ways to protect your joints, even when osteoarthritis has set in.
Do you suffer from osteoarthritis and want to stay active?
Dr. Coulin will see you in Geneva to assess your situation, analyze your tests and direct you towards the sports activities best suited to your osteoarthritis.
Thanks to an individualized program, it is possible to relieve your pain, ofmaintain your mobility and ofavoid premature surgery.
