Daily Mail

KNEE AND HIP

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MORE than 8.5 million people in the uK are living with the discomfort and disability caused by arthritis, a debilitati­ng condition that affects the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees in particular. Arthritis is characteri­sed by inflammati­on and damage to cartilage and bone in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling and deformity.

Certain drugs make arthri - tis worse, including statins for high cholestero­l and hor - monal drugs for prostate and breast cancer.

Being overweight, smoking and having a high- sugar diet can all contribute to making joint damage worse.

There is no cure for osteoarthr­itis, as it is very difficult to restore the cartilage once it has been destroyed.

WHAT TO DO: Exercise that involves stretching is the most effective way to slow its progress and help alleviate the swelling and pain.

The problem is that pain often gets temporaril­y worse at the start of exercise, giving the impression that it should be avoided. But it does wear off if you persist.

Studies have shown that yoga and Pilates significan­tly relieve joint pain and improve mobility.

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