WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a condition where the cartilage that separates the thigh bone and the shin bone deteoriorates, causing the body to try and heal itself in unhelpful ways. Bone spurs grow, extra fluid is produced that causes swelling, pain, and heat, and the muscles around the joint weaken. All of this causes symptoms of stiffness and pain that results in many sufferers limiting their movement.
WHO IS AFFECTED?
OA of the knee is the largest cause of physical disability in North America, affecting 1 in 10 people. It can start as early as 40 and affect 33% of people over the age of 60 and almost 100% by age 75. Women are 2X more likely to get it than men after 50 and it can affect both knees or just one.
THE BEST MEDICINE: EXERCISE
Exercise is key to managing the condition. Cartilage requires movement to absorb nutrients and remove waste. And even if there is little cartilage left, exercise can help in both retaining, and possibly regaining, range of motion, as well as lessening the pain. Exercises that strengthen the quadricep are one of the best defenses because a strong quad helps with both mobility and pain reduction (by protecting the joint).
HOW P44 CAN HELP
P44 is the ideal exercise device to manage OA because it accommodates the decreased range of motion that comes with the condition and concentrates on building the quadricep (to help ease pain and protect the joint)*- neither of which devices based on circular leg motion (ie. cycles) do particularly well. And P44 comes at a fraction of the price, and size, of devices that do offer similar benefits.