“After the class everything felt looser”: How Versus Arthritis exercise classes helped Christine’s osteoarthritis

75-year-old Christine has osteoarthritis in her hip, knee, neck, lower spine, hands and wrists. She had knee replacement surgery last year and is currently recovering from hip replacement surgery.  

Christine recently took part in the Let’s Move Essex pilot – a scheme ran by Versus Arthritis that helps people with arthritis to exercise. Funded by Active Essex and running in Braintree and Basildon, participants were given a course of free exercise classes ran by a fitness professional trained in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.  

We caught up with Christine to hear more about living with osteoarthritis and how Let’s Move has helped her to manage her condition. 

Living with osteoarthritis

Christine was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2017, after experiencing joint pain for many years.  

Osteoarthritis is a very common condition that can affect any joint in the body.

While our joints are made of complex living tissue that our bodies constantly repair and maintain, osteoarthritis occurs when our bodies can no longer do this effectively.

The cartilage becomes thin, and the joint cannot move as easily as before, causing pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling as the body attempts to repair the joint.  

“I’ve always had problems with my hip,” says Christine. “I think I knew there was something wrong, but I put it down to old age and aches and pains. It wasn’t really a huge surprise to get the diagnosis. 

“I spend a lot of time alone, and the arthritis can be very limiting. I like cooking, but standing in the kitchen for any length of time is very difficult. I have to do something and sit down for a bit and repeat. I’ve ditched my heavy kettle because of my wrist too. I’m never sure if my wrist is going to give out.    

“It’s gardening that has been impacted the most. I love my garden, but everything involves bending over. My back doesn’t like that so much. I still do gardening, but I’ll do a bit and then sit down and repeat.  

“I spoke to a very nice lady at Versus Arthritis a few weeks ago and she sent me some leaflets about gardening. I found that really helpful.” 

Having hip replacement surgery

Before having hip replacement surgery, Christine’s hip was very painful.

“There was a background pain all the time,” she says. “If I wasn’t careful, it’d be sharp. It could be on the outside, but as soon as I moved not quite right it’d be on the inside of the groin as well. 

“I live on my own in a house with stairs. In the morning, the stairs wouldn’t be too bad, but by the evening I’d look up at them and it’d be like climbing Kilimanjaro. I’d drag myself up. 

Christine has seen huge improvements since having hip replacement surgery.  

“Recovery is going really well,” she says. “I went out with some friends today. I put that down to my mental attitude."

Let’s Move Essex

It can be hard to keep moving when you have arthritis, but staying as active as possible can reduce your pain and the symptoms of your condition.

Exercising can help improve muscle strength, reduce stiffness in your joints and boost feelings of wellbeing.   

Christine took part in the Let’s Move Essex pilot, which meant that she attended classes in her local area. At the time, Christine had recently had knee replacement surgery and was waiting to have hip replacement surgery.  

“Sarah, the lady that ran the classes, was excellent,” says Christine. “She would show us what to do and keep an eye on us. If you weren’t quite sure what you were doing, she’d come to you and help. She was very good at tailoring the class to suit the people in it. 

“We’d use balls and bands and do exercises behind a chair. The majority was sitting down, but there was a lot of arm movements and things like that, so it was an all-body experience. But it wasn’t excessive, either. The hour flew by. I didn’t want it to end, it was so enjoyable."

Let’s Move digital campaign 

To help people with arthritis get active from home, Versus Arthritis offers a variety of online resources including Let’s Move with Leon, a 12 week full body programme of 30-minute movement sessions, presented by fitness professional Leon, as well as a stretching series presented by physiotherapist Jay. All resources are especially designed for people living with arthritis. 

Those who are looking for exercises while either waiting for or recovering from surgery can also benefit from the Let’s Move for Surgery Toolkit.  

Alongside attending the classes in person, Christine also does the Let’s Move with Leon videos online.  

“They aren’t complicated so I do them as a matter of course on my own,” she says. “They’re very helpful.”   

Being part of the Versus Arthritis community 

Being part of a community can be helpful when you have arthritis. Alongside learning more about your condition, connecting to others and sharing experiences may help you to feel less alone with your condition. 

Christine has benefitted hugely from being part of the Versus Arthritis community.  

“Being part of the Versus Arthritis online community is amazing,” says Christine. “You can ask questions and people will tell you what helps them. The Facebook group is great because it reaches a lot of people. It means you can say, ‘I’ve got osteo in my hands – does anyone have any advice on how to cope?’   

“It’s nice to know that other people are in the same boat as me. It’s nice to reach out to others. I’m always happy to talk to people about my experiences and give advice because it really helps other people.” 

Find exercises that work for you 

We have lots of resources to help, educate and motivate and people with arthritis to find an exercise routine that works for them:  

• Join our Let’s Move Facebook group, a space where people share their experience of staying active when living with arthritis.   
• Sign up to our Let’s Move newsletter to receive advice and top tips on how to stay active with arthritis.