The term arthritis is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the joints. Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis, for example are types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting around 24% of the adult population. It is characterized by a thinning or wearing down of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in a joint and is typically caused by “wear and tear.” Other types of arthritis can be caused by infection, auto-immune conditions or urate crystals but they all can cause damage to joint cartilage. Cartilage has two main jobs:

• Provide a smooth, low-friction surface for the joints to articulate and move
• Transmit forces into the underlying bone

• Joint pain during or after movement
• Joint stiffness that worsens after a period of inactivity
• Swelling or tenderness around a joint
• Decreased flexibility or range of motion in a joint
• A grating sensation or popping/cracking noise when moving a joint (though this can happen in healthy joints as well)

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your arm arthritis issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized rotator cuff physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your rotator cuff PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS OF THE ARM

Depending on the cause of your arm arthritis, you may need to work with a doctor to address the underlying medical condition with medications and lifestyle modifications. For example, those with gout may take medication and adopt a certain diet to prevent gout attacks. Physical therapy cannot reverse the effects of arthritis on joint tissues, however, research shows that physical therapy is an effective tool to reduce pain and improve function in the arm.

When physical activity causes pain, it is common for persons with arthritis to begin self-limiting activity. Though it may seem counterintuitive, restricting motion altogether is not the answer to arthritis pain. Instead, working with a physical therapist to help improve painful symptoms and restore joint function will encourage you to move more.

Your physical therapist will always individualize a treatment plan to address your specific type and symptoms of arthritis, however, here are common goals and treatment techniques of physical therapy for arthritis of the arm:

Pain Reduction: Modalities such as heat, ice or electrical stimulation and gentle hands-on techniques such as passive range of motion, soft tissue or joint mobilization, myofascial release techniques, or taping to improve the mobility and function of the joint and soft tissues can be used to reduce pain.

Restore Joint Motion: If mobility is restricted in the connective tissue structures around the joint itself, joint mobilization techniques may be utilized to improve that motion. Active range of motion might be prescribed initially to reintroduce motion to the joint and later on stretching may be prescribed to help lengthen chronically shortened tissues.

Address Biomechanical Impairments: While the surfaces of the joint may no longer be pristine, how the joint moves and how much stress is applied across an affected joint can play a large role in how much pain you experience and how much you have to limit your activities. Proper strength and flexibility in the muscles surrounding the joint can optimize its movement and may reduce some of the rubbing that occurs between uneven joint surfaces.

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