Osteoarthritis (OA)
The most common form, caused by gradual cartilage breakdown. Most frequently affects knees, hips, hands, and spine. Linked to age, obesity, and prior joint injury.
Accepting New Patients
Arthritis Relief
Through Expert
Physiotherapy
Evidence-based arthritis rehabilitation for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis & psoriatic arthritis at RCP Health Oakville â helping you move freely, live fully, and manage pain naturally.
What Is Arthritis?
Understanding
Arthritis & Its Meaning
The word arthritis comes from the Greek "arthron" (joint) and "itis" (inflammation). It is an umbrella term for over 100 conditions that cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in one or more joints. Arthritis is not a single disease â it is a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders.
Arthritis affects people of all ages, including children, though it is most prevalent in adults over 45. It is one of the leading causes of disability in Canada, impacting more than 6 million Canadians and costing the healthcare system billions annually.
At RCP Health Oakville, our registered physiotherapists conduct thorough assessments to determine the type of arthritis present, the severity, and the most effective individualized rehabilitation strategy for lasting relief.
Types We Treat
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks joint lining (synovium), causing chronic inflammation, pain, and deformity. Can affect multiple joints symmetrically.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Arthritis that develops alongside psoriasis, causing joint inflammation and skin symptoms. Can affect any joint and vary from mild to severe in presentation.
Arthritis by the Numbers
595M
people worldwide had osteoarthritis in 2020 â a 132% increase since 1990
Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 / IHME1 in 5
Canadian adults are diagnosed with some form of arthritis
Arthritis Society Canada~1B
people projected to live with osteoarthritis by 2050, driven by aging and obesity
The Lancet Rheumatology, 202320%
of OA burden attributed to high BMI â addressing obesity reduces risk significantly
WHO Osteoarthritis Fact SheetSigns & Symptoms
Recognizing
Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis symptoms can range from mild and intermittent to severe and constant. Early recognition is key â the sooner arthritis is identified, the more effectively physiotherapy can slow progression and maintain joint health. If you experience three or more of these symptoms consistently, a physiotherapy assessment is recommended.
Joint Pain
Aching, sharp, or burning pain during movement, at rest, or after extended activity. Often the first and most prominent symptom of arthritis.
Morning Stiffness
Prolonged joint stiffness lasting more than 30â60 minutes after waking. A hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis; also common in osteoarthritis.
Swelling & Warmth
Inflamed joints appear puffy, feel warm to the touch, and may be red. Caused by excess synovial fluid or thickened joint lining.
Crepitus (Grinding)
A grating, clicking, or crackling sensation during movement â especially in the knee â caused by cartilage loss and bone-on-bone contact.
Reduced Range of Motion
Difficulty fully bending, straightening, or rotating affected joints. Tasks like climbing stairs, gripping, or turning your neck become challenging.
Fatigue & Weakness
Particularly in RA and PsA, systemic fatigue and muscle weakness around affected joints accompany persistent pain and inflammation.
Risk Factors & Causes
What Causes Arthritis?
Risk Factors to Know
Arthritis can result from a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Understanding your personal risk profile is the first step toward prevention and proactive management.
Non-Modifiable Risks
- Age â risk increases significantly after 45
- Sex â women more likely to develop RA and OA
- Genetics â family history of arthritis
- Prior joint injuries or fractures
- Autoimmune predisposition (for RA, PsA)
Modifiable Risks
- Excess body weight â increases joint load
- Sedentary lifestyle â weakens joint support
- Repetitive joint stress (occupational)
- Smoking â linked to higher RA severity
- Poor diet lacking anti-inflammatory nutrients
Causes by Type
Osteoarthritis Causes
Mechanical wear and tear on joint cartilage over time. Accelerated by obesity, repetitive joint movements, injury, and muscle weakness.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes
An immune system malfunction triggers chronic inflammation in the synovium. Exact cause unknown; genetic and environmental triggers are involved.
Psoriatic Arthritis Causes
Linked to psoriasis, driven by immune system overactivity. Around 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.
Prevention
Can Arthritis
Be Prevented?
Not all arthritis can be prevented â genetic and autoimmune forms have unavoidable components. However, many of the most common risk factors are modifiable. Evidence from the WHO and Arthritis Society Canada shows that targeted lifestyle changes can significantly delay onset and reduce severity of osteoarthritis.
Physiotherapy plays a direct role in arthritis prevention. Strengthening muscles around vulnerable joints, correcting movement patterns, and maintaining a healthy weight through guided exercise are all measurable protective factors.
Maintain Healthy Weight
Every extra kilogram adds 4Ã load on the knee joint. Weight management is the #1 modifiable OA risk factor.
Stay Physically Active
Low-impact exercise strengthens joint-supporting muscles and keeps cartilage nourished through synovial fluid circulation.
Protect Your Joints
Use proper techniques when lifting or exercising. Avoid repetitive stress on the same joint. Wear appropriate footwear.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains support joint health and reduce systemic inflammation markers.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a significant risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis and worsens disease activity and treatment outcomes.
Early Physiotherapy
Addressing muscle imbalances, posture issues, and movement patterns early prevents excessive joint wear over time.
Joint-Specific Arthritis
Arthritis in Knees
& Hands â What to Know
Arthritis in the Knee
Most Common Arthritis Site
- Deep aching pain in the front, inside, or behind the kneecap
- Swelling and stiffness, especially after sitting or lying down
- Grinding or clicking sensation when bending the knee (crepitus)
- Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair
- Bowing of the knee (varus or valgus deformity) in advanced OA
- Symmetrical knee involvement common in rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis in the Hands
Affects Fine Motor Function
- Pain and stiffness in finger joints (PIP, DIP, or MCP joints)
- Bony nodules at finger joints (Heberden's or Bouchard's nodes in OA)
- Swollen, tender, warm knuckles (especially in RA)
- Reduced grip strength affecting writing, cooking, or opening jars
- Thumb base pain (carpometacarpal joint) â very common in OA
- Morning stiffness lasting over an hour â typical of rheumatoid arthritis
When to Seek Help
When Should You
See a Physiotherapist
for Arthritis?
Many people wait too long before seeking physiotherapy. Early intervention leads to significantly better outcomes â reducing joint damage, maintaining mobility, and improving quality of life.
- Joint pain that persists for more than 2â3 weeks without improvement
- Morning stiffness lasting longer than 30â60 minutes regularly
- Swelling, warmth, or redness around a joint with no clear injury
- Difficulty performing daily tasks like walking, gripping, or dressing
- Joint pain that disrupts sleep or limits physical activity
- Recent arthritis diagnosis â starting physio early makes a major difference
What Physiotherapy Achieves
Reduces joint inflammation and chronic pain
Strengthens muscles that support and protect joints
Restores lost range of motion and flexibility
Improves balance and coordination to prevent falls
Educates on joint protection techniques for daily life
Delays or avoids need for surgery or joint replacement
Provides a tailored home exercise program for ongoing management
How We Treat Arthritis
RCP Health's Arthritis
Treatment Approach
Our registered physiotherapists combine multiple evidence-based techniques to create a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan tailored to your specific type, severity, and lifestyle goals. No two arthritis patients are treated the same way.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on joint mobilization and manipulation to restore movement, reduce stiffness, and decrease pain in arthritic joints.
Learn More âšJoint Mobilization
Targeted joint mobilization techniques to restore articular mechanics, reduce pain, and improve the quality of joint movement.
Learn More âšTherapeutic Ultrasound
Deep tissue heating to reduce joint inflammation, improve tissue elasticity, and accelerate healing in arthritic joints.
Learn More âšElectrotherapy (TENS)
Low-level electrical stimulation to block pain signals, reduce muscle spasm, and improve circulation around inflamed joints.
Learn More âšKinesio Taping
Specialized elastic tape to support arthritic joints, reduce swelling, improve proprioception, and enable pain-free movement.
Learn More âšLaser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-level laser therapy to reduce joint inflammation, promote tissue repair, and provide drug-free pain relief for arthritis.
Learn More âšAssessment Tools
How We Assess Arthritis
at RCP Health
A precise diagnosis is the foundation of effective arthritis treatment. Our physiotherapists use validated, evidence-based assessment tools to understand the full picture of your arthritis.
WOMAC
Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Arthritis Index
Evaluates pain, stiffness, and physical function in knee and hip osteoarthritis. Gold standard for OA severity assessment.
DASH
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder & Hand
Measures upper extremity function â essential for assessing arthritis in hands, wrists, and shoulders affecting daily activities.
VAS
Visual Analogue Scale
Standardized pain measurement tool used at intake and follow-ups to track arthritis pain levels and treatment response over time.
ROM
Range of Motion Analysis
Goniometric measurement of joint mobility to identify restrictions, track improvement, and guide therapeutic exercise prescription.
Arthritis Medication
Arthritis Medication &
Physiotherapy Together
Arthritis medication and physiotherapy work best in combination. While medication manages inflammation and acute pain, physiotherapy addresses the underlying functional deficits and builds long-term joint resilience.
Important: RCP Health physiotherapists do not prescribe medication. This section is for educational purposes only. Always consult your physician or rheumatologist regarding arthritis medications.
NSAIDs
Anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) reduce pain and swelling. Physiotherapy maximizes functional benefits during the pain-relief window.
DMARDs
Disease-modifying drugs used in RA and PsA to slow joint damage. Physiotherapy helps maintain mobility and strength while DMARDs reduce disease activity.
Corticosteroids
Injections or oral steroids reduce acute flare inflammation quickly. Physio is often prescribed after injections to restore joint function.
Biologics
Targeted immune therapies for RA and PsA. Physiotherapy works alongside biologics to improve physical function and quality of life in parallel.
Related Conditions
Arthritis-Related Conditions
We Also Treat
Arthritis rarely occurs in isolation. It is frequently associated with related musculoskeletal and systemic conditions. RCP Health's physiotherapists are experienced in managing arthritis alongside these co-occurring conditions for comprehensive, integrated care.
Find Us
Directions to
RCP Health Oakville
Located at Suite 304, 700 Dorval Drive, Oakville, ON L6K 3V3 â conveniently accessible from across Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga.
From Oakville
Oakville Place Mall
Head south on Trafalgar Rd, turn right on Speers Rd, then right on Dorval Dr. RCP Health is in the professional building on the left.
Get Directions in Google Maps âš ð 240 Leighland Ave â 700 Dorval Dr, OakvilleFrom West Oakville / Burlington
Bronte GO Station
Head east on Speers Rd for approx. 4km. Turn right onto Dorval Dr. RCP Health is in the first professional office building on the right.
Get Directions in Google Maps âš ð Bronte GO, Oakville â 700 Dorval Dr, OakvilleFrom Mississauga
Celebration Square, Mississauga
Take the QEW West toward Oakville. Take the Dorval Dr exit (Exit 118). Turn left onto Dorval Dr. RCP Health is on the left at 700 Dorval Dr.
Get Directions in Google Maps âš ð Celebration Square, Mississauga â 700 Dorval Dr, OakvilleCommon Questions
Arthritis
FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about arthritis meaning, symptoms, causes, prevention, treatment, and physiotherapy at RCP Health Oakville.
Book a Free Consultation âš-
Arthritis means inflammation of one or more joints. Derived from the Greek words for "joint" and "inflammation," it covers over 100 conditions. The most common are osteoarthritis (joint cartilage breakdown), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune inflammation), and psoriatic arthritis (linked to psoriasis). Over 6 million Canadians live with arthritis.
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While autoimmune forms like RA cannot be fully prevented, osteoarthritis risk can be significantly reduced through maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, protecting joints from injury, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, and not smoking. Physiotherapy plays a direct preventive role by correcting movement patterns and strengthening joint-supporting muscles.
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Yes â physiotherapy is one of the most evidence-supported non-surgical treatments for arthritis. It reduces pain, improves joint function, strengthens supporting muscles, restores range of motion, and helps patients avoid or delay joint replacement surgery. RCP Health develops individualized programs for all arthritis types and severities.
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Knee arthritis commonly presents as deep aching pain in or around the kneecap, morning stiffness, swelling or warmth, a grinding/clicking sensation (crepitus), difficulty walking or climbing stairs, and progressive bowing in advanced osteoarthritis.
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Hand arthritis typically causes pain and stiffness in finger and thumb joints, swollen or tender knuckles, reduced grip strength, difficulty with fine motor tasks (writing, buttons, jar-opening), and bony nodules near joints (Heberden's or Bouchard's nodes in OA). RA often causes symmetrical involvement and prolonged morning stiffness.
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Yes â the Arthritis Society Canada (arthritis.ca) provides support, education, and resources for arthritis patients across Ontario, including the Burlington and Oakville regions. RCP Health works in alignment with national arthritis management guidelines and can help connect you with community resources alongside your physiotherapy care.
Ready to Move Without
Arthritis Pain?
Book your arthritis physiotherapy assessment at RCP Health Oakville today. Our experienced team will create a personalized treatment plan to help you reduce pain, restore mobility, and get back to the life you love.