Arthritis
Physiotherapy cannot reverse joint changes, but it reliably reduces pain and improves function, and often postpones surgery considerably.
Common symptoms
- , Joint pain that worsens with activity
- , Morning stiffness easing within 30 minutes
- , Reduced range of movement
- , Grinding or creaking in the joint
- , Swelling after use
Common causes
- , Age-related cartilage change
- , Previous joint injury or surgery
- , Sustained overload of a joint
- , Muscle weakness around the joint
- , Family history
What the scan does not tell you
X-ray findings and pain correlate surprisingly poorly in arthritis. People with marked changes on imaging often function well, and people with mild changes are sometimes in considerable pain.
That is encouraging, because it means the joint’s appearance does not fix your outcome. Strength, movement and load management change how much it hurts and what you can do, and those are all trainable.
Keeping moving
The instinct with a painful joint is to protect it. Over months that weakens the muscles supporting it, which increases the load going through the joint itself, which increases the pain. It is a slow spiral and it is entirely reversible.
Our job is to find the level of loading your joint tolerates today and build from there, patiently.
How we treat it
- , Progressive strengthening of the muscles around the joint
- , Range-of-movement work
- , Weight and load management advice
- , Pain-relief techniques including acupuncture
- , Walking aid assessment where appropriate
Typical recovery: Ongoing management; most people notice improvement within 6–12 weeks
See a doctor urgently if you have
- !A single hot, red, acutely swollen joint with fever
- !Sudden severe joint pain with no clear cause
- !Marked unexplained weight loss alongside joint pain
- !Joint pain with a widespread rash or feeling unwell
These are not physiotherapy problems. Go to a doctor or hospital rather than booking with us.
Treatments that help
Common questions
Will exercise wear my joints out faster?
No. This is the most common and most damaging misconception about arthritis. Appropriate exercise strengthens the muscles supporting the joint and is one of the few treatments with consistently strong evidence behind it. Inactivity makes arthritis worse.
Can physiotherapy help me avoid a knee replacement?
It often delays one considerably, and for some people removes the need. Strength work reduces pain and improves function even when the scan looks poor. Where a replacement is genuinely needed, going in stronger produces a better result afterwards.
Is the pain going to keep getting worse?
Not necessarily. Arthritis is not a straight downhill line: symptoms fluctuate, and many people stay at the same level for years, particularly if they keep the surrounding muscles strong.
Book a physiotherapist in Nairobi
Clinic appointments in Westlands, or a physiotherapist at your door anywhere in Nairobi. Same-week slots.