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1. Private, comfortable and beautifully designed rooms
2. The Preferred Reserve Program- the first-of-its-kind program developed by Life Care Center of Estero’s parent company, Life Care Center of America
3. Located between two major cities for orthopedic surgery in Naples and Fort Myers
4. State of the art equipment including AlterG® Anti- Gravity Treadmill® (which takes up to 80% of body weight off to relieve stress on arthritic joints) and the Biodex Balance System SD
5. Excellent therapists with the latest techniques to rehabilitate patients following total joint replacements and other orthopedic surgeries, using techniques such as manual therapy, therapeutic taping and functional strengthening
6. An interdisciplinary care team trained in following physician protocols and the use of post-operative equipment
7. Education that empowers patients by informing them about their specific surgeries along with educational packets which include handouts, anatomy diagrams and home exercise programs
Arthritis: Addressing the Nation’s Most Common Cause of Disability
At A Glance 2015 (from Centers of Disease Control and Prevention)
About 1 out of every 5 US adults has doctor-diagnosed arthritis. The term arthritis includes more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Other forms of arthritis that occur often are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and gout.
Symptoms include pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms.
Many people think of arthritis as a disease that only affects the elderly, but it affects people of all ages, including children. Although the risk of developing arthritis increases with age, nearly two-thirds of people with arthritis are younger than 65. Arthritis is more common among women (26%) than men (19%), and it affects members of all racial and ethnic groups.
As the US population ages, the number of adults with arthritis is expected to increase to 67 million by 2030. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is leading the nation’s efforts to help the millions of adults with arthritis to live well and manage their condition.
Public Health Problem
Arthritis Can Make Physical Activity Difficult
Research has shown that people with arthritis are less likely to be physically active than people without arthritis. Some people with arthritis believe that being active will cause pain, make their symptoms worse, or damage their joints. Others don’t know how to
exercise safely.
Nearly 44% of adults with arthritis report no leisure-time physical activity (compared with about 36% of adults without arthritis). Not being physically active is bad for arthritis, is a risk factor for other chronic diseases, and interferes with management of other conditions.
Arthritis Occurs with Other Chronic Conditions
Arthritis is much more common among people who have other chronic conditions. About half of US adults with heart disease (49%) or diabetes (47%) also have arthritis. In addition, 44% of those with high blood pressure and 31% of those who are obese have arthritis. Having arthritis in addition to other chronic conditions can reduce quality of life and make disease management more difficult.
What Can People Do to Manage Arthritis?
People can manage and reduce the symptoms of arthritis in many ways, but many don’t know how. For example, people with arthritis can
• Learn ways to manage arthritis. Self-management education interventions, such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) or the online Better Choices, Better Health for Arthritis program, provide the skills and confidence to live well with arthritis on a daily basis.
• Be physically active. Research shows that physical activity—such as walking, bicycling, and swimming—decreases pain, improves function, and delays disability. People with arthritis should try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. This activity can be done for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, or in as little as 10 minutes at a time.
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