Living with Severe Joint Pain

CDC Study on Severe Joint Pain

A CDC study looked at severe joint pain among adults aged 18 years or older with arthritis. Study highlights include

• Severe joint pain from arthritis is from the breakdown of cartilage (tissues around a joint) in the body and pain that is not managed well.
• Severe joint pain occurs in more than one third of 58 million adults with arthritis.
• Some groups are affected by severe arthritis pain more than others and include Black or African American persons, Hispanic or Latino persons, people in fair to poor health, adults with serious psychological distress, people who are unable to work, and people with diabetes or heart disease.

What to Do to Ease Severe Joint Pain

People with severe joint pain related to arthritis have multiple ways to improve how they feel and enjoy life.

• Get physically active. It is recommended that adults with arthritis be moderately physically active for at least 150 minutes per week. Strength training is also recommended. Further, physical activity has been proven to reduce arthritis pain. You can do low impact physical activity to reduce joint pain.
• Go to CDC-recognized physical activity programs. Particular community-based programs (such as EnhanceFitness and Walk With Ease) are helpful in learning how to exercise safely and reduce joint pain and disability related to arthritis. These programs can improve mood and ability to move as well. Classes take place at local Ys, parks, and community centers and help people with arthritis feel their best.
• Enroll in proven programs. Adults living with joint pain can benefit from joining CDC-recognized self-management education classes, which are designed to teach people with arthritis and other chronic conditions how to control their symptoms (like severe join pain), live well with these conditions, and learn more about how to manage health problems that affect their lives.