COM:ET (Comprehensive Osteoarthritis Management: Education and Treatment)

Osteoarthritis (OA)   is a very common problem, one with very limited ability to prevent the disease.  Arthritis is the third most common self-reported chronic condition in Canada and the main cause of pain in patients over 50 years of age.  OA is most common in the knee but can affect any joint.  It is more common in women than men, and it does get worse as we age. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 6 persons in Canada had osteoarthritis.  By 2035 it is estimated that 1 in 4 Canadians will suffer with OA. There is no cure for arthritis, but with active management of the disease, symptoms can be controlled and quality of life can improve.  There are a number of non-surgical treatment options for OA.  

COM:ET( Comprehensive Osteoarthritis Management>Education and Treatment ) is a 1-hour online education session that explains what arthritis is, why we develop it, and focuses on all of the evidence-based nonsurgical options for managing arthritis pain.  The goal of the COM:ET presentation is to empower you to manage your arthritis and diminish your arthritic pain and improve your quality of life.

Managing Your Osteoarthritis

Exercise is the most important part of treating arthritis.  Exercise is a powerful tool in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). Studies have demonstrated that exercise is as effective as medications for managing arthritis pain.  While exercise cannot cure OA, it is important to maximize function and improve your quality of life. A carefully planned exercise program can help to slow or reverse the body’s response to arthritis by increasing flexibility, strength and endurance, address impairments, functional limitations and disabilities resulting from arthritis, and improve your overall health.  This needs to be a daily home exercise program, ideally one that is prescribed by a physical therapist to address your specific weaknesses. As your arthritis progresses, your needs will change, so touching base with a good physical therapist who understands arthritis and can adjust your exercise program 3-4 times a year is ideal.

For those who may not have access to a physical therapist, what follows below is a basic, 4-stage arthritis exercise program for arthritic hips and knees.  You can work through these exercise videos at your own pace to help improve your function and diminish the pain from your arthritic hip and/or knee joints.

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