Can You Reverse Arthritis? 3 Ways to Slow It Down

📩 Contact us: [talkingwithdocs@gmail.com] Can you reverse arthritis, or at least slow it down? It's one of the questions orthopedic surgeons hear most, and the honest answer isn't the one on the supplement bottle. Nothing you can swallow or inject has been shown to regrow worn cartilage. But there are evidence-backed ways to slow arthritis down, and they're in your control. In this episode of Talking With Docs, orthopedic surgeons Dr. Brad Weening and Dr. Paul Zalzal explain what osteoarthritis actually is, then walk through the three things with the best evidence for slowing it down: staying active, avoiding joint injuries, and keeping a healthy body weight. Then they take an honest look at supplements, cortisone, hyaluronic acid, PRP and stem cells. Osteoarthritis is wear of the cartilage that lets the ends of your bones glide smoothly inside a joint. When that cartilage thins, you get pain and inflammation. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve function, but so far no treatment reliably turns the clock back on the cartilage itself. Want the full list of non-surgical options? Watch our episode on treating knee arthritis without surgery:    • Top 10 Ways to Treat Knee Arthritis Withou...   You'll learn: Why cartilage gets its nutrients from joint fluid, not a blood supply Why "if it hurts, don't do it" is the wrong advice for arthritic joints The vicious cycle of a sore joint, weaker muscles and a less stable knee What the evidence says about running and arthritis How much pain during activity is okay, and how to modify what you do Why a joint injury can lead to arthritis years later Why an ACL tear raises the risk even after an expert reconstruction How osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are linked through fractures near a joint How much extra body weight raises your risk of knee arthritis Why losing weight can drastically reduce arthritis pain What glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM can and can't do What cortisone and hyaluronic acid injections are designed for Why there's no good human evidence that PRP or stem cells regrow cartilage Where cartilage research is heading, including early animal studies The first takeaway surprises a lot of people: arthritic joints need to move. Cartilage is living tissue fed by the fluid inside the joint, and the muscles and ligaments around it keep the joint stable. Rest it too much and the muscles waste away, the joint gets less stable, and the arthritis progresses. If walking or running hurts, change the distance, the pace, the footwear or the activity, but keep moving. The weight numbers are hard to ignore. In a large analysis of prospective studies, people who were overweight had about 2.5 times the risk of knee osteoarthritis, people with obesity had about 4.5 times the risk, and every 5-point rise in BMI raised the risk by about 35%. The upside: losing weight can drastically improve pain and function, even once arthritis has set in. As for supplements and injections, the doctors are clear. Some may help your symptoms, and that's worthwhile. But none has been shown to grow new cartilage, and anyone selling a pricey stem cell injection as a cartilage cure isn't being honest with you. Have you tried something that made a real difference for your arthritis? Tell us in the comments. 📄 Study discussed: Body mass index and risk of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMJ Open, 2015. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/12/... 🎧 Listen on Your Favourite Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3OFxEji... Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast... YouTube Music: TWD Podcast 👕 Shop Our MERCH: https://www.spreadshirt.ca/shop/user/... ❤️ Support Oakville Hospital: https://oakvillehospitalfoundation.com/ 📱 Follow Us: TikTok:   / talkingwithdocs   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingwith... 🛑 DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Arthritis affects people differently, and decisions about exercise, weight loss, supplements, injections, and surgery should be individualized based on your symptoms, health history, and circumstances. If you have severe joint pain or a possible injury, see a healthcare provider. Always follow the guidance provided by your physician, pharmacist, and healthcare team. Full disclaimer at talkingwithdocs.com. #Arthritis #Osteoarthritis #KneeArthritis #ReverseArthritis #JointPain #KneePain #Cartilage #ArthritisRelief #Glucosamine #StemCells #PRP #WeightLoss #OrthopedicSurgeon #TalkingWithDocs #DoctorExplains