Cycling After Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Cycling is among the best ways to keep fit, but after that osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis, the biggest question amongst cycling enthusiasts is, should they continue cycling? Well, many assume that cycling is the last thing OA patients should engage in, but this isn’t true.

Is Cycling Bad for Osteoarthritis?

A definite diagnosis of osteoarthritis doesn’t always mean that cyclists should quit cycling. Well, in some cases, where the arthritis is severe, the rheumatologists may suggest stopping cycling. But remember, while there is no osteoarthritis treatment, exercising is among the ways to manage the degenerative joint disorder.

According to the Journal of Rheumatology, cycling is among the physical exercises that have been found to reduce the symptoms of arthritis. In another study, OA patients who exercised by cycling improved their aerobic fitness, lowered their blood pressure, and had fewer tender joints.

How Cycling Benefits OA Patients

One of the ways of managing OA is by shedding weight to reduce the amount of pressure on the joints, and the best way to achieve this is by cycling. Besides weight control, cycling will help strengthen the muscles in the glute and hamstring regions and consequently provide the joints with more support.

The truth of the matter is that cycling is not a bad idea at all for osteoarthritis. In fact, patients should engage in more cycling as long as they do it with the right bicycle. But first, OA patients should seek the opinion of their rheumatologist to find out if they are fit for cycling. When starting, move gently, find the right gear, and start with short rides. Most importantly, feel the body and stop immediately if it starts hurting.