Prevention, treatment and self-management of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions

Although arthritis is a chronic disease and there is no known cure, treatments and management techniques can help control and reduce the effects of the condition and prevent further deterioration, and may aid in prevention.

In this section:

Although arthritis is a chronic disease there is no known cure. Management techniques and treatment can aid in prevention, help control and reduce the effects of the conditions, and prevent further deterioration.

There are a number of ways of reducing the risk of the onset of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions:

avoiding joint injury
avoiding vitamin D deficiency and
adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours:
- healthy weight - obesity is a risk factor for all chronic disease
- healthy eating – a balanced diet rich in vitamin D and calcium
- regular physical activity
- avoiding tobacco use
- avoiding high risk alcohol use and
- falls and falls injuries prevention strategies

Regular, moderate exercise aids in the prevention of musculoskeletal conditions and offers a host of benefits to people with arthritis and osteoporosis. Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility and endurance. Weight-bearing exercise assists in the maintenance of bone mass. Therefore, regular exercise such as walking, jogging, playing tennis or aerobic classes is recommended to help in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is also essential to delay progression of musculoskeletal conditions and the resultant pain, disability and loss of independence. The available treatments include:

medications aimed at reducing pain, increasing mobility and slowing the progression of inflammation or the loss of bone mass
physiotherapy and exercise and
orthopaedic surgery

Other measures that may be helpful to those with arthritis and osteoporosis include mechanical aids and modifications to houses to enhance mobility.

Self-management programs allow people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions to acquire the skills and knowledge to help them better manage their condition. The www.arthritisaustralia.com.au website has additional information on self-management.