Osteoarthritis

[Ladybyrne]

Hello all. I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in one of my knee joints. I believe that general exercise is important and specific exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee to protect the joint are recommended. However, as my favourite hobby, tap-dancing is a high impact exercise I fear that I will have to give it up or suffer the consequences. Any tap-dancers out there with osteoarthritis who have carried on regardless? I look forward to any advice with thanks in advance.

[Sqad]

No, I am not a tap dancer..." Tapped maybe"......but not a dancer.
The management of OA of joints seem to have changed over the years, to more exercise reducing joint degeneration.
However there seems to be pros and cons on both sides of the argument, BUT if I were in your position, I would take an anti-inflammatory about one hour before your dancing lessons and continue governed of course by the pain that you are experiencing.
This is a personal opinion.

[Ladybyrne]

Thanks Sqad. I am already taking paracetamol on the Doc's advice but anti-inflammatory tablets make more sense before any high impact activity. Still early days yet. I'll get the hang of it all eventually. Patti

[Peter Pedant]

yes I am or was a tap dancer ( Gold )
and would certainly not give up

follow sqads advice it will be OK

[Ladybyrne]

Thanks Peter Pedant. I really don't want to give up. I enjoy it too much!