Tips for preventing osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 1.2 million Kentuckians.

Minimize your risk while protecting your joints with these do’s and don’ts:

• Do keep your weight down. Reducing your weight by just one pound can decrease the pressure on your knees by four pounds.
• Do exercise. It keeps your joints and flexible and improves muscle strength. “Exercise keeps your thigh and calf muscles strong to take the pressure off your knees,” said Bobby Goodin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Baptist Health Louisville. Low-impact exercise is best, he added.
• Don’t ignore pain. If you experience pain after an activity, you may have overstressed your joints. “If the pain lasts longer than 10 days, see a doctor,” Dr. Goodin said.

Searching for a doctor or specialist? We can help! Visit BaptistHealth.com to find a physician near you.