Top tips to manage osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects more than two million Australians, and is one of the country's most chronic joint conditions.

But according to Jill Thistlethwaite, medical adviser for not-for-profit medicines information organisation NPS Medicine Wise, managing osteoarthritis should not focus exclusively on medicines and imaging, such as MRIs and X-rays.

The Sydney GP said research shows that exercise, diet and pain management, as well as life balance, joint protection and emotional support are just as vital in managing and reducing pain caused by the condition.

"Osteoarthritis causes pain, loss of mobility and impacts quality of life," Dr Thistlethwaite said.

"Some people rely on opioids for managing pain, which are not likely to be useful, but other medicines will have a role to play, including topical gels and creams. "Patients should also focus on non-pharmacological management options."

Here are Dr Thistlethwaite's top five tips to help people with osteoarthritis reduce the impact of the condition on their daily lives.

By maintaining a healthy weight, you can help prevent osteoarthritis from getting worse as well as lessen pain and disability.

If you are overweight, small amounts of weight loss are shown to be beneficial. You may have noticed that carrying heavy items such as shopping makes your joints more painful - excess body weight has a similar effect. For every kilogram of body weight lost, there is up to a four kilogram reduction in the load exerted on the knee.

Many people are nervous that regular exercise might make their condition worse, but in fact exercise has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for arthritis. It can help decrease pain, fatigue and stress, and improve mobility and flexibility of joints.

The best forms of exercise are low-impact options such as walking, water activities, tai chi, pilates, cycling and dancing. Muscle strengthening exercises are also helpful.

Mindfulness activities, such as meditation, have been shown to lessen arthritis pain. Changing your thoughts about pain can change how your body responds to it. Psychological approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy and hypnotherapy can be useful in improving pain management.

Careful planning and organisation of activities throughout the day can help you make the most of your energy. For example, try to plan your day so you can switch between periods of activity and periods of rest. When you know you have a large task to do, such as preparing a meal or cleaning a room, plan ahead and break the job into smaller tasks. Then work on completing the tasks one at a time, and follow each with a rest break. Try to prioritise jobs. Do the hardest jobs when you are feeling your best.

Many gadgets and aids can make your daily activities simpler and less tiring if your hands are affected.

These aim to protect your joints by reducing the effort you have to put in. Examples include ergonomic knives to make cutting and slicing easier; adapted cutlery and cooking utensils to allow easy gripping; and equipment to help with opening jars or bottles, and turning on taps.