If you have osteoarthritis (OA), you may feel worse on certain days than others. These worse days are known as flare-ups.
During a flare-up, you might feel increased pain, swelling, and stiffness, making it difficult to move around.
However, during a flare-up, your usual medications may not be as effective. Flare-ups can last several days or weeks.
So, in this article, I will be discussing how osteoarthritis flares up, how long it lasts, and effective ways to treat it. Let us begin.
What are osteoarthritis flare-ups?
An osteoarthritis flare-up occurs when your joints suddenly become more painful, stiff, and tired. It can happen unexpectedly, disrupting your daily activities.
These flare-ups can last for several hours, days, or even weeks.
The best way to deal with them is to figure out what causes them and then develop strategies to deal with them more effectively.
This could involve altering some habits or developing new ways to deal with pain and stiffness when they appear unexpectedly.
An osteoarthritis flare-up occurs when your joints suddenly become more painful, stiff, and tired. It can happen unexpectedly, disrupting your daily activities.
Causes of Flareups
The most common causes of an OA flare-up are excessive strain and joint injury. Here are the causes of flare-ups, including
Too Much Activity
Pushing yourself too hard or engaging in strenuous exercises can strain your joints, causing inflammation and pain, and may cause an osteoarthritis flare-up.
Weather Changes
Temperature fluctuations, particularly in cold and humid conditions, can have an impact on how your joints feel.
Many people with osteoarthritis report that their joint pain worsens in colder weather or when humidity levels are high.
However, the exact causes are still unknown. It is believed that changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature can affect joint tissues and nerves, causing discomfort and flare-ups.
Infections
Certain infections, especially those that affect the immune system, such as respiratory viruses, can exacerbate osteoarthritis flare-ups.
When your immune system is fighting off an infection, it can cause inflammation in your joints, increasing your osteoarthritis flare-up symptoms.
Stress
Stress has been shown to hurt a variety of health conditions, including arthritis.
High-stress levels can cause the body to produce more pro-inflammatory substances, worsening joint inflammation. This increased inflammation can cause more severe pain and stiffness during a flare-up.
Injury
If you’ve recently suffered an injury to an osteoarthritis-affected joint, such as a sprain or strain, your symptoms may worsen and cause a flare-up.
Injuries place additional strain on already compromised joints, resulting in increased pain, swelling, and decreased mobility.
Weight Gain
Rapid weight gain puts additional strain on your joints, particularly weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.
A sudden increase in weight may cause cartilage degeneration and aggravate existing osteoarthritis symptoms.
This increased pressure on the joints can exacerbate flare-ups, making them more frequent and severe.
However, understanding these triggers can help osteoarthritis patients take proactive steps to manage their condition and reduce their risk of flare-ups.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis flare-ups
In the following section of the blog, I will be discussing the osteoarthritis flare-up symptoms.
Increase in joint pain
If you have osteoarthritis, you may notice increased joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected area during flare-up periods.
Fatigue
Fatigue can develop during and after periods of OA flare-ups. This could be caused by a lack of adequate sleep due to increased pain.
Less flexibility and movement
During a flare-up, you may find it difficult to move your joints normally. This can make even simple tasks, like getting dressed or climbing stairs, more difficult.
Treating Flare-Ups
Medicine, lifestyle changes, and home remedies—all of these can help you manage an osteoarthritis flare-up. But sometimes you might need to use a combination of these techniques to treat flare-ups.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you’re experiencing frequent flare-ups, notify your doctor. They might modify your treatment plan to better manage your symptoms.
Rest and Pain killers
Taking painkillers can help during flare-ups. However, if the flare-ups last longer or are particularly severe, consult your doctor.
Doctors will temporarily modify your medication or add new ones, such as NSAIDs or paracetamol. Steroid injections into the joints may also provide relief.
Manage activity
Rest is essential, but gentle movement and stretching can help to prevent stiffness. Use hot or cold therapies instructed by your doctor to relieve pain and relax muscles.
Kinesiotaping
Your doctor or physical therapist can apply this flexible tape to relieve joint pressure and improve motion. It is a temporary aid that you can learn to use at home.
Acupuncture
Some people find relief from osteoarthritis pain through acupuncture, which involves inserting thin needles into specific points in their bodies. It is generally not painful and can reduce the pain.
Capsaicin cream
Applying capsaicin cream topically can help relieve mild knee pain because it is derived from chilli peppers. To prevent getting it in your eyes, make sure to wash your hands after applying.
Aid tools
Splints, braces, and canes can offer stability and pain alleviation when various joints flare up. However, selecting the ideal gadget for your requirements can be assisted by your physician or therapist.
Education and support
Attending educational sessions or joining support groups can help you learn about how to deal with osteoarthritis and manage flare-ups. Therapy and counselling can also be helpful, particularly if stress plays a significant role in your life.
By using these techniques along with appropriate medical advice, you can effectively manage osteoarthritis flare-ups.
Prevention for osteoarthritis flare-ups
A few lifestyle changes, along with the treatment plan prescribed by your physician, can help you prevent flare-ups.
Keep yourself active
Strengthening the muscles around your joints can improve their function, reduce stiffness, and ease pain.
You can try some relaxing habits like biking, walking, or water exercises that are easy for your joints. Although you can consult a physiotherapist, you can develop a fitness plan for yourself.
Reduce stress
You can reduce stress by moving your body and relaxing it with exercises like tai chi or gentle yoga. Stress can also be decreased by practising relaxation techniques like meditation.
Maintain your body weight
If you are overweight, reducing your weight can help reduce the symptoms by relieving pressure on your hips and knees. Start by aiming to lose at least 5% of your total body weight.
Exercises for osteoarthritis, inflammation, and pain
You can perform these exercises to strengthen your muscles and support your arthritic joints.
These exercises not only strengthen your muscles but also improve your mobility and ability to perform tasks.
Seated hip abduction
Step 1: Sit on the edge of a chair by keeping your back straight, feet together, and hands on your thighs.
Step 2: Tie a resistance band or loop band around your thighs, just above the knee.
Step 3: To start the movement, bring your knees out to the side and squeeze your outer glutes.
Step 4: Lastly, perform three sets of it.
Standing hamstring curls
Step 1: Firstly, stand facing a wall or a chair to maintain balance.
Step 2: Now, position your feet hip-width apart. and stand tall, with your gaze forward.
Step 3: Bend one leg at the knee and bring your foot up to your buttocks. Try not to lean back or forward while doing this.
Step 4: Repeat this movement on each leg 20 times, then take a break. Try to complete three sets in total.
Wall squats with stability balls
Step 1: The first step is to place a large exercise ball against a wall.
Step 2: In the second step, you must lean against the ball to support your lower back.
Step 3: Place your feet hip-width apart, approximately two feet from the wall.
Step 4: Roll your shoulders back and look directly ahead.
Step 5: Slowly squat down as if you are sitting in a chair. But remember, don’t go lower than your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Step 6: Now, squeeze your buttocks and stand back while maintaining contact with the ball.
Step 7: Do this 15 times, take a break, and perform a total of three sets.
Knee extensions
Strengthening your quadriceps can help prevent joint instability and improve overall movement.
Step 1: The first step is to sit on a chair or table, with your knees slightly over the edge.
Step 2: In the second step, extend one leg straight and squeeze the thigh muscles at the top of the movement.
Step 3: If possible, try bending your knee completely, beyond a 90-degree angle.
Step 4: Lastly, repeat all the steps on the other leg.
When to consult a doctor
It is not always necessary to visit a doctor during an osteoarthritis flare-up, but if your symptoms persist for more than a few days, then you should seek medical attention.
Your doctor may recommend tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to assess the condition of your joints and detect any damage. They can also prescribe medications to alleviate your pain.
If stress appears to be a major contributor to your flare-ups, your doctor may recommend alternative treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
These additional treatments can target specific triggers and help you manage your osteoarthritis symptoms effectively.
Summing Up
To sum up, osteoarthritis is a gradually worsening condition that may cause brief flare-ups or worsen over time.
However, you can significantly reduce the chance of exacerbating symptoms and flare-ups by keeping a healthy weight, exercising frequently, and eating a varied and nourishing diet.
These lifestyle decisions are critical for the effective management of osteoarthritis and enhance the overall quality of life.
