Arthritis is a debilitating health condition that affects joints all around the body. There are several types of arthritis, but all lead to pain and stiffness within the joints which can lead to reduced mobility and impact on a person’s mental health. Continue reading this guide from Complete Care Shop to discover exactly how arthritis affects mobility.
Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the joints by causing inflammation and swelling. This can lead to pain, stiffness and decreased mobility of extremities and limbs. There are many different types of arthritis but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is associated with ageing. This type of arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the end of bones in a joint deteriorates. This then leads to stiffness and pain in the affected joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis in that it’s an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints. As a result, it leads to inflammation, pain and damage to the joints.
Because of its effects on the body’s joints, arthritis – no matter the type – can greatly impact a person’s mobility. The ability to go for walks outdoors, grip things like a cup, pan or pen, and much more can be affected by arthritis.
Here is how arthritis affects mobility:
The first way arthritis affects mobility is by causing pain in joints. A person will not be able to exercise by lifting weights, for example, if they’re suffering from a high level of pain in their hands or wrists. Similarly, if there’s pain within the knee or ankle joints, an outdoor walk can be extremely painful and challenging.
Arthritis also causes stiffness in joints that can have a similar effect on mobility as pain. Although stiffness is not as painful, it can lead to a lack of mobility due to it being difficult to move the affected joint, causing an uncomfortable feeling.
When a joint becomes inflamed or swollen, it can become rigid and larger which restricts mobility. Swelling can even compress nerves in the joints and lead to more pain and limitation of movement. A walking aid for arthritis could help to make movement a little easier.
The pain and stiffness that leads to a reduced range of motion can eventually lead to muscle weakness and atrophy. If a person has weak muscles in a particular area of their body, such as their legs, it can make walking and running extremely difficult. This not only reduces exercise outdoors but also movement around the house.
As arthritis progresses, it leads to a decreased range of motion in the affected area, which means a person may not be able to move a joint in a full range of motion. This, obviously, leads to difficulty in moving about in general, depending on where the affected joints are.
Finally, chronic pain and inflammation of joints can lead to fatigue. As a result, this decreases a person’s energy and, in turn, motivation to move. Fatigue limits the ability to engage in physical activities and maintain mobility.
If you or a loved one live with mobility issues because of arthritis and you want to get out and about more often, there are devices at Complete Care Shop that could help. We have an excellent range of arthritis daily living aids, walking aids and mobility aids that are designed to provide support and stability to people just like you.
With us, you can find high-quality walking sticks and canes, sock aid, wheeled walkers, wheelchairs, hand and wrist supports, dressing aids for arthritis, and more.
If arthritis is causing you to require the assistance of a wheelchair, it is still beneficial to get out of the house on a regular basis. Getting fresh air in a self-propelled wheelchair is more exercise than you would have sitting at home.
If you feel like you need some more help and advice, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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