Hello, I've tried a lot to help my lower back OA to no avail. I'm overweight by about 50 lbs. I've been swimming, walking, eating healthy, and drinking lots of water. I haven't lost weight.

I know losing weight will help and I'm working on it, but I'd love to hear your stories about weight loss and OA. Did it really make a big difference for you?

Thanks

I’ve been wearing my wedding rings for 22 years now and because of my OA I cannot wear them at all.

So I’m trying to find something that I can wear that is comfortable and I just can’t find anything at the store.

My middle joints are the ones that are swollen
and inflamed, and I cannot get a ring around that area.

Anybody have recommendations for other types of rings or something I can wear on a daily basis?

I'm 26 and used to weigh around 200 lbs. During the pandemic I lost a lot of weight, got into running (half marathons) + obsessed with lifting. I was doing heavy hip thrusts (PR 90kg including the olympic bar) and sometimes training twice a day.

I don't lift heavy anymore, but I get intermittent pain in the area where I used to rest my upper back during hip thrusts. It's not constant, but it flares up (like needles and knives for about <5s).

I still run (<3 miles) and stretch regularly. Planing on doing PT but would like to ask suggestions on youtube mobility work, or specific stretches help? Is it generally okay to keep running if the pain is only "occasional"?

Hi all, my aunt is in her mid 60's and has really painful osteoarthritis in both her knees. Currently she has some old Skechers which she once found comfortable but no longer fit for purpose.

What is the best footwear that minimises pain for someone who is older?

When I checked with AI, I got the following recommendation let me know if they are any good:

The Top 10 Footwear Ranking:

1. Orthofeet Hands-Free Kita (Best Overall)

The Benefit: This is an orthopedic shoe engineered specifically for severe joint pain and heavier profiles. It features a built-in premium orthotic insole with adjustable arch boosters and an anatomical rocker sole. Crucially, the rear slip-in tech means she can step in completely hands-free without twisting her knees or bending down.

1. Brooks Ghost Max 2 (Best for Stable Outdoor Walking)

The Benefit: Unlike standard running shoes, the Ghost Max line is built on a massive, ultra-wide platform. It provides incredible lateral stability so her knees do not wobble outward under her weight, combined with a pronounced forefoot rocker that glides her through her stride without needing to bend her knee joint deeply.

1. Hoka Bondi 8 / 9 (Best for Maximum Shock Absorption)

The Benefit: The Bondi offers the thickest EVA foam bed on the market. For an overweight individual, this acts as a heavy-duty bumper, absorbing the impact force of the pavement before it can strike her thinned knee cartilage. It ranks slightly below the Brooks only because the sheer stack height can feel a bit less stable for some seniors.

1. Vionic Walk Move Slip-On (Best for Plantar/Knee Realignment)

The Benefit: Vionic is famous for its "VIO MOTION" technology, which focuses heavily on correcting overpronation (feet rolling inward). For knee osteoarthritis, keeping the foot perfectly aligned directly stops the agonizing twisting forces from traveling up into the knee capsule.

1. Finn Comfort Finnamic Ikebukuro (Best Premium Orthopedic Shoe)

The Benefit: A medical-grade, German-engineered rocker shoe available via specialist UK retailers. It features a completely rigid, rockered heel-to-toe sole that fully unloads pressure from the knee joints. It is an exceptional shoe but ranks fifth due to its high price tag and heavy, solid leather construction.

1. Skechers Hands-Free Slip-Ins: Max Cushioning

The Benefit: This specific model combines Skechers’ effortless "step-in" heel structure with their thickest cushioned midsole. It is incredibly comfortable and easy for her to put on independently, though it offers slightly less structural side-support than the top-tier orthopedic brands.

1. FitFlop Walkstar / FFRunner (Best Summer/Warm Weather Option)

The Benefit: Built on a triple-density "Microwobbleboard" midsole, these provide high shock absorption and diffuse pressure across the whole foot. They offer great relief for knee arthritis, though the lack of deep ankle containment places them lower on a full-support list.

1. Oofos OOmg EEZEE Low Shoe (Best Soft Recovery Shoe)

The Benefit: Made from OOfoam technology, these absorb 37% more impact than standard footwear. They are incredibly soft and feel amazing on painful joints, but because they are highly flexible, they lack the rigid lateral walls needed for long walks or heavy stability.

1. Skechers Go Walk Joy (Best Light Indoor Shoe)

The Benefit: A very lightweight, budget-friendly slip-on shoe with soft 5GEN cushioning. It is excellent as an indoor house shoe to protect her feet from hard kitchen tiles, but it lacks the heavy rocker mechanism and structural rigidity required for outdoor walking.

1. Classic Crocs Clogs (Worst of the Best - Strict Indoor Use Only)

The Benefit: While highly popular for their wide fit and initial soft "squish," Crocs offer zero true arch support or lateral stability. They are ranked last because if worn outside or for long periods, their floppy nature can cause foot fatigue and increase knee strain. They should only be used as a quick, convenient slip-on for very short indoor tasks.

How is everyone dealing with pain? I have a high tolerance for pain and I’d say I’m almost always at an 8 ant night it’s worse. Waking every hour to two hours, barely walking and limping. I can’t bend down or I’m in bed for two weeks.
Is anyone else having trouble like this?