Arthritis sufferers and mobility scooters

It is estimated that around 10 million people in the UK suffer from some form of arthritis.

Arthritis is a group of conditions that can affect people of all ages and typically causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Some patients experience joint inflammation, along with restricted movement leading to muscle weakness and atrophy.

There are about 100 different known types of arthritis, the most common being rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, currently without a cure, that causes most patients to experience “flare-ups” of pain, inflammation, swelling, and reduced movement of the joints. It tends to be symmetrical in the sense that if a joint on one side of the body is affected, the joint on the other side will also show symptoms.

Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment can help achieve remission of symptoms.

There are over 400,000 patients in the UK today, usually starting in people aged 40-50, with women 3 times more likely to be affected than men.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK, affecting around 8.5 million people.

Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage between the bones gradually wears away, causing painful bone-on-bone rubbing in the joints. The most frequently affected joints are those of the hands, spine, knees, and hips.

Osteoarthritis often develops in people over the age of 50, however it can occur at any age due to injury or other related joint conditions.

Common causes are:

1. Age: wear and tear plays an important role in the development of osteoarthritis, the older you are, the more your joints will have been used, however, although your risk factor increases with age, it is not inevitable that you will develop it.

2. Obesity: The heavier you are, the more pressure your body will put on your joints. The hips and knees in particular bear the burden of excess weight. Scientists also believe that excess body fat causes chemicals to travel throughout the body, which can cause joint damage.

3. Injury or Overuse – Athletes or people with repetitive jobs that require the same movement to be performed over and over again (typists, machine operators) are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis due to the increased use and stress on their joints .

4. Genetics: Hereditary abnormalities of the bones that affect the shape or stability of a joint can lead to osteoarthritis, although it is not a certainty.

Osteoarthritis mostly develops slowly, beginning with pain and stiffness that is more of an inconvenience than a concern. For some it will not develop further, but for others their arthritis will progress to a level where it interferes with daily activities, and the pain and stiffness make it difficult to walk, climb stairs or sleep.

A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise are recommended to improve the physical and mental health of arthritis sufferers, as are making the most of the independent living aids on the market today designed to help with a variety of tasks. daily.

While it is vital to maintain as much physical activity as possible, there will be times when the symptoms are so severe that this becomes unbearable and another solution is needed.

A Mobility Scooter can be the answer for those times when you just can’t handle your daily routine and need a solution to maintain your independence. This may just be a temporary solution until the symptoms subside, or a more permanent fix to give you the extra help you need.

Mobility scooter manufacturers have been developing and designing new and improved features into their scooters for years to help make using a scooter easier and more enjoyable for those with reduced joint flexibility, pain, and stiffness.

Features such as fully swiveling seats to allow the user to sit comfortably on the seat before getting on the scooter. This reduces the need to climb, strain, and twist to get on.

Fully adjustable seats and armrests to provide maximum support for good posture and a comfortable driving position.

Delta handlebars, designed to reduce wrist pressure from standard handlebars and with thumb or finger controls for ease of use. Fully adjustable rudders to get the right riding position for you, ensuring no extra stress is placed on your joints. The dual controls allow the rider to use one side or the other, ideal if the discomfort is concentrated in a single joint.

Mobility Scooters that provide extra leg room to allow you to stretch out, reducing pressure on your knees and ankles.

Portable ‘one hand’ detachable mobility scooters are perfect if you need to take your scooter with you, but need to be able to transport it yourself, without joint strain.

There is such a wide variety of scooters on the market today that it is possible to find one that will enhance your life and give you the freedom and independence to maintain an active lifestyle.

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