Mobility Aids to Maintain Joint Comfort and Health

Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions affect approximately 20 million people in the UK. That’s around three in every 10. The likelihood of musculoskeletal problems increases with age. With every passing year, the amount of lubricating fluid inside the joints decreases and the cartilage becomes thinner. This means joint movement becomes stiffer and less flexible. At the same time, bone density reduces, adding to the potential risk.

The most common type of joint problem is arthritis. There are more than 200 types of arthritis, the most common being rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The former is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints, while osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints.

Around a third of over 50s live with some form of joint pain, rising to 50 percent of over-65s and more 75 percent of over-80s. In short, while life expectancy is steadily increasing, there is a corresponding increase in the likelihood of us facing joint problems sooner or later. The good news is there is plenty we can do to ease the pain and maintain joint comfort and health.

Compression wear can ease joint pain

Compression wear is designed to apply mild pressure to problem joints. This stimulates better circulation and helps to ease the symptoms of arthritis. Swelling in an arthritic joint is caused by fluid build-up in the joint and the surrounding soft tissue. This swelling constricts the flow of blood to joints and muscles. This in turn means blood starts to pool, affecting mobility and potentially triggering other problems such as varicose veins.

Compression socks can help by squeezing the affected joint, in this case the ankle, and thereby increasing blood flow. This prevents pooling, reduces swelling and discomfort, and promotes healing. Compression clothing also helps reduce the numbness that can often accompany swollen joints, meaning you regain sensation and are at less risk of stumbling or falling.

Those with swollen ankles or feet should also consider medi-gel heel socks. These fit snugly around the heel and as well as applying gentle compression to the joint, they absorb pressure and reduce friction while walking.

Other compression wear that can help to ease inflamed and painful joints include a breathable knee support, hand and wrist support, or ankle support. These are designed to provide safe, effective and uniform compression, and are available in a choice of sizes.

Treat yourself to a foot massage

Few things feel better than a foot massage after a busy and active day. But as well as promoting relaxation and relieving stress, a foot massage can improve circulation and help with arthritis, as well as conditions like fibromyalgia.

Of course, we don’t all have a skilled and willing volunteer to hand to give a foot massage, and professional masseurs are not cheap. An infrared foot massager is a great solution and a worthwhile investment for anyone suffering from arthritis or other conditions relating to musculoskeletal health and circulation.

Let a walking aid take the strain

A suitable walking aid, used both around the home or when out and about, can ease pain and improve stability greatly, and are a must-have when arthritic problems worsen. 

Around the home, a home help trolley is excellent as you will no longer worry about dropping a plate or spilling a hot cup of tea.

When you go out, a rollator is the best option, as these come with brakes, seats and storage for maximum safety and comfort. The CareCo Oracle Rollator is one of our new rollators and perfect for trips to the shops. 

Take a close look at your diet

Eating well can help reduce the progress of joint problems, so it is worth taking a look at your diet and seeing if you can make some improvements. It is particularly important to take on plenty of antioxidants, so try to include the following in your meals:

• Vitamin A - found in cod liver oil, carrots, sweet potato and apricots.
• Vitamin C - found in citrus fruits, strawberries and peppers.
• Vitamin E - found in wholegrain cereals, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
• Vitamin K - found in green leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach and kale.

But what is even more important than eating the right food is avoiding the wrong food. Sweets, dairy products, fatty foods, carbohydrates, alcohol, and gluten all contribute to inflammation and can exacerbate symptoms like arthritis.

You don’t have to eliminate them entirely, especially dairy food and carbohydrates which have many benefits when consumed in moderation. However, if your current diet contains more of the harmful food types than the healthy ones, it is definitely a good idea to make a few subtle changes to shift the balance.