Exercise not medication.

I think the pain I get from OA is minor compared to yours and I mostly manage without pain relief. I find long-acting ibuprofen helps if I do need something.

I’ve been working with a personal trainer since the beginning of the year and funnily enough, I thought just this morning that my knees are becoming less painful as I build up strength. I can go up stairs more easily and my body just feels more ‘free’ than it did. The exercises we do involves quite a lot of use of our hands and my hands are painful as well.

It’s been a challenge to do this training and I’ve taken painkillers before the sessions to help but I do think it’s paying off.

That should be my hands are less painful!

I have multi joint OA with 2 hip replacements and was often in a lot of pain i took anti-inflammatories for years but weaned myself off them a few years ago. I now walk every day and do some strength exercises/stretches daily
and whether its the exercise or I've just got used to the pain but i definitely move better and pain levels feel less in my knees, spine and hands. Exercise in my opinion is rarely a bad thing.

I think today's news is a partial truth.
Yes, exercise is beneficial for our physical and mental health and up to a point, will help with OA. But when joints become misaligned as the disease takes its inexorable toll, exercise will make not a jot of difference. Hip replacement has been a game changer for me.

Yes. Once the cartilage has gone it's gone! However, exercise is good for all round body health. I'm happily back to it after two knee replacements and a hip replacement.