Dr. Vaishali Suri (P.T.)
Arthritis in India: An Enormous Burden
Arthritis is one of India's most prevalent health conditions — affecting over 180 million people. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, hip, and hand are the most common types, while rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis are inflammatory variants. All types significantly impact quality of life through pain, stiffness, and functional limitation.
Why Exercise Beats Medication for Arthritis
Extensive research consistently shows that exercise is the most effective treatment for osteoarthritis — providing pain reduction equivalent to NSAIDs without the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal side effects. Exercise also improves function, mood, and delays the need for joint replacement. The key is appropriate, targeted exercise rather than activity avoidance — the opposite of what many arthritis patients are told or believe.
Physiotherapy for Different Arthritis Types
Knee Osteoarthritis
Quadriceps strengthening (reducing patellofemoral and tibiofemoral loading), aerobic exercise (swimming, cycling, walking), weight management advice, gait analysis, assistive device assessment (walking sticks, orthotics).
Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip strengthening (gluteus medius, maximus, hip external rotators), aerobic conditioning, aquatic exercise, gait retraining to reduce hip loading, walking stick prescription.
Hand Osteoarthritis
Joint protection education, assistive devices, finger strengthening exercises, thermotherapy (paraffin wax bath), anti-vibration gloves for power tool users.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Exercise during remission (both aerobic and resistance training), joint protection during flares, splinting for wrist and hand joints, fatigue management.
Arthritis Treatment in Faridabad
At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, we help arthritis patients of all ages live more actively. Book your arthritis assessment today.