Just a quick hello

Trekker2831

Hi everyone, I'm a 55 year old female who was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees and one finger joint in 2012.

Since then my knees have actually improved due to exercise - I am a mad-keen cyclist now, it's amazing how it strengthens the muscles and lubricates the joint.

My fingers, however are a different story, they have gone from a single joint to every joint! And two of tem in particular are now extremely stiff and painful, and I am now struggling with various ordinary tasks, not to mention my hobbies - I play clarinet and flute, and am faced with having to give them up before long, because it's becoming more and more difficult - not just the pain, but the fact that as my joints force my fingers into bending out of shape, I cannot easily cover the holes in the the clarinet. As for the flute, the most affected finger is the one that supports the instrument. I guess that's not a coincidence haha.

I also feel like other joints are starting to be affected too now - ankles, feet, shoulder, elbow, hip - it's depressing if I stop to think about how it's going, so usually I just try to keep going and not think too much about it. Use it or lose it I reckon, so I just try to do as much as I can and not let it impact my life too much.

Bye for now!

[Deleted User]

Hi @Trekker2831,

Welcome to the online community, I'm so glad you've decided to join us.

It's lovely to read that you've found cycling therapeutic for the OA in your knees! I've heard that it's good for arthritis as it gets the legs moving and strengthens the muscles without putting too much strain on the joints themselves. Perhaps you could try targeted exercises to help with your other joints? There is a fantastic programme called "Let's Move With Leon" which is specifically designed for people with arthritis. You can sign up here:

https://action.versusarthritis.org/page/64082/-/1

And here is some information on finger exercises for arthritis:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-fingers-hands-and-wrists/

It's a great attitude you have about not letting OA impact your life too much. You have it, but it doesn't have you :)

I encourage you to take a look around the community and join in with any discussion.

Sarah (mod) x