It’s summer, and you’re at the beach enjoying the sunshine. Your family suggests some fun activities, such as paddleboarding or hiking, but your joint pain is keeping you sidelined. Sound familiar? Too many women find themselves sidelined by joint pain, especially during midlife. The most common cause is osteoarthritis in large, weight bearing joints like the hips and knees. But while joint pain can sometimes be a “normal” part of getting older, it actually is a result of factors that we can both control and treat. This week on Fox 17, Dr. Bitner shares what you can do to ease joint pain and prevent osteoarthritis.
Fact #1
Lifestyle, hormones, and past injuries all play a role in causing osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis develops when the structures that support a person’s joints break down over time. While age is a factor, risk factors such as muscle mass, body fat percentage, past injuries, and a sedentary lifestyle all play a much larger role. Add hormonal changes like menopause into the mix, and the risk increases even further. Changes in your hormones affect bone density, inflammation, and recovery.
Fact #2
The best strategy to avoid or ease joint pain is intentional movement. Strength training, nutrition, and hormone support are all powerful tools for prevention and recovery. Building muscle through strength training helps support your joints, while stretching and mobility work reduce stiffness and lower your risk of injury. Nutrition is also important. Getting enough calcium and vitamins supports bone health, and a healthy relationship with food helps keep body weight in a range that reduces strain on the joints. For some women, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or GLP-1 medications may also help reduce inflammation, support metabolism, and make movement feel possible again.
Patient Story
Jane was 53 and devastated that her knee pain had taken her off the court, off the trail, and out of her routine. Once a college athlete, she had spent years eating like she was training, even as she worked out less and went through menopause. After surgery and weight gain, she felt stuck. But everything changed when Jane reached out for help. With menopausal hormone therapy and a GLP-1 medication, her night sweats stopped, her cravings decreased, and the pain started to ease. Over the next year, she committed to strength training and flexibility work. Now, she’s back on the move, hiking, kayaking, and even playing pickup basketball with her family.
Takeaway Tip
While joint pain and osteoarthritis are common, they are both treatable and preventable. If you’re tired of sitting on the sidelines, talk to your healthcare provider about a plan that includes movement, hormone support, and a long-term vision for your health. Get back to doing what you love; you deserve it.