OA is a progressive, chronic condition that affects the cartilage between the joints. Over time, that cartilage which serves as a "shock absorber," can become stiff and break down and cartilage and may wear away altogether, leading to more pain as the joint increasingly becomes bone-on-bone. OA is commonly diagnosed in older adults, but also may be found in younger people who have been very physically active or experienced knee injuries earlier in life. 

Although OA is not curable, taking a proactive approach can lead to mitigating symptoms. Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts when it comes to your OA.

Tip #1

Do: Visit the doctor if you have joint pain
Don't: Continue suffering silently

According to Marje Albohm, Past-President of the National Athletic Trainers Association and Director of Peer to Peer Education and Fellowships at Össur, which makes some of the world's leading orthopaedic braces, persistent discomfort may require a doctor's attention. 

“Pain can happen when you're moving your knee up and down, getting out of a chair or walking. It also might occur when you're sleeping or sitting, not just when you're being active.  And it can be non-specific, so more of a general ache rather than in just one specific location," she says. 

If you are considering visiting a doctor to determine whether you might have OA, Albohm recommends to "Research the doctor first. Studies show that doctors who treat more OA or do more surgeries have better outcomes.  If you live in a small town, you might even want to consider traveling a moderate distance to visit doctors at an established medical center."

Tip #2 

Do: Document your symptoms 
Don't: Disregard extended symptoms

Prior to your doctor's visit, Albohm recommends documenting your symptoms, so you can better communicate exactly what you are experiencing.   

She suggests asking yourself the following questions: 

• How many days have I had these symptoms? 
• Are these symptoms consistent or have they changed? 
• Am I modifying my daily activities because I'm feeling pain or discomfort in my knees? 

"Sometimes when we ask, 'Should I go to a doctor?' it might actually mean 'Do I want to spend the copay?' But if someone is having an extended period [of] symptoms, they should go." When in doubt, Albohm says any time you experience painful symptoms that last longer than 8-10 days, consider calling your doctor. Consider writing down your symptoms as well to keep a log of your pain and experiences. 

Pay Attention to Possible Signs of Acute Inflammation 

Albohm also recommends visiting the doctor whenever persistent swelling or other key symptoms, such as heat and redness, occur. That's because these may be indicators of acute inflammation.   

"A person can typically treat swelling with ice and elevation, and modify activity if they feel pain," Albohm says. "But if swelling persists, or you feel warmth or see redness in the affected area, that could be a sign of acute – rather than chronic – inflammation. That really requires a doctor's attention."                                                                                                                                                                                        

Tip #3

Do: Be nutrition-minded 
Don't: Ignore unhealthy eating habits

Excessive body weight can put a strain on joints, especially the knees. Being overweight is a risk factor for developing OA. Managing your weight by adjusting your diet can help relieve pressure on the knees. 

Making sound dietary decisions, such as paying attention to the amount of calories or carbohydrates you consume, eating more vegetables and fish, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding too many sweets and fried foods may positively impact your weight as well as your experience with OA knee pain.  

Tip #4

Do: Practice healthy behaviors
Don't: Smoke or consume excessive quantities of alcohol

Almost everyone can recall seeing an anti-smoking commercial on TV or health warnings on alcohol bottles, but did you know that these habits can also impact your OA symptoms? 

A 2007 study performed at the Mayo Clinic followed 159 men with knee OA for 30 months. Researchers found that smokers experienced severe pain and were more than twice as likely to have significant cartilage loss as nonsmokers. The researchers theorized that toxins from smoking could have contributed to cartilage loss, or that high carbon monoxide levels in smokers' blood could be slowing down cartilage repair. 

Experts also discourage excess drinking of alcohol if you have OA. Drinking beer, especially, has been shown to contribute to flare-ups and increase joint pain. 

Finally, if you are taking any medication for your OA symptoms, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, you may want to avoid drinking alcohol. It may interact with the drug, impacting its effectiveness.

Tip #5

Do: Try to work out regularly
Don't: Smoke or consume excessive quantities of alcohol

When it comes to exercise, Albohm says people really need to resist the temptation to stay off their feet when trying to figure out how to relieve OA knee pain. 

Albohm states that "When there's pain or discomfort, nobody wants to get up and exercise. But that sets off a vicious cycle: you gain weight, then you become more sedentary, which leads to more pain in the joints, and less activity, and so on."

Tip #5

Do: Consider an off-loading knee braceor specialized knee brace
Don't: Be too proud to ask your doctor for help

One newer solution that is helping many people cope with their mild to moderate OA knee pain is a knee brace that applies corrective forces to the affected joint where the arthritis is at its worst.

There used to be criticism that using a brace created muscle atrophy. Studies show that is not the case, Albohm says. "People using the brace maintain muscle strength because they exercise more.” 

Bracing is still a relatively new treatment option for OA, so your doctor may not automatically suggest it. You may need to take the initiative and ask directly.  As Albohm notes, "Doctors are themselves interested in learning more about bracing as an alternative to medication." So be ready to be the one to start the conversation. Ask your doctor whether an off-loading knee brace such as the Unloader One from Össur could be right for you.  

If you’re looking to purchase an OA knee brace without a prescription from your doctor, the Formfit Pro Knee OA and the Formfit OA Ease braces by Össur were designed to provide easy-to-wear support for mild knee osteoarthritis. 

Taking positive steps to remain healthy and active to ease the pain of OA knee pain is an achievable goal with these helpful tips in mind.