Which sports are cheap?

Of course, sporting activity should not worsen the already existing joint damage, so choosing the right sport for osteoarthritis is crucial. In case of doubt, an orthopedic surgeon can provide more detailed information and tips on how to choose. In general, patients suffering from osteoarthritis are recommended to exercise evenly without heavy loads.

This includes, for example, cycling and swimming. Crawling and backstroke swimming are particularly beneficial. Hiking or walking on level paths is also suitable as a sport for patients with arthrosis.

On the other hand, it is better to avoid ascents and mountains – whether uphill or downhill. You should also keep your distance from excessive strain or fast start-stop sports (tennis, squash, soccer). Especially the cheap sports – cycling, swimming, … – are also ideal for normalizing your body weight and improving your endurance.

In addition to the treatment of arthrosis, there are also other additional health benefits – for example, the cardiovascular system can be strengthened and the risk of a heart attack reduced. In addition to this endurance training, moderate strength training (for example in the form of simple gymnastics) should be carried out. It should be individually tailored to the affected arthrosis zone. The main aim is to build up and strengthen muscles that are located in the immediate vicinity of the affected joint. Strong muscles can stabilize the joint and relieve it of some of its tasks and thus of some of its stress.With strengthened musculature affected persons feel not only fitter and more vital, but also reduce existing pain and slow down the progress of the illness clearly.

What can I do to do better sports with arthritis?

In the case of incipient arthrosis, which is only painful under heavy strain, it is particularly important to pay attention to a perfect technique and to refrain from particularly unfavorable sports in order to be able to do good sports for a long time. Active muscle building should also delay a further worsening of the symptoms. If the pain becomes permanently noticeable – as is usual in the advanced stages – the attending physician will also develop a suitable pain concept after his examinations and the diagnosis.

Patients suffering from arthrosis should adhere to this. Nevertheless, it remains important to accept the pain, which will now remain more or less intense for a long time, and not to take painkillers immediately every time. Mild pain can be bearable with the right attitude.

Nevertheless, sport should never provoke unbearable pain. If such a moment is approaching with the most severe pain, it is always advisable to pause training or, under certain circumstances, even to stop it completely. The same applies to severe discomfort or dizziness.

After all, pain is always a warning signal from the body. If at some point no movement is possible without severe pain or if pain therapy drugs do not help at all (anymore), so that sports activities are out of the question, one should consult the treating physician for a so-called re-evaluation (see: pain therapy). Possibly the condition of the arthrosis has worsened considerably and a surgical therapy or another procedure could now be useful.