Doctors and therapists also know specific exercises for particularly painful joints. There may be exercises that are off-limits for people with a particular type of arthritis or when joints are swollen and inflamed. People with arthritis should discuss their exercise plans with a doctor. Most experts agree that if exercise causes pain that lasts for more than 1 hour, it is too much. It is appropriate to put joints gently through their full range of motion once a day, with periods of rest, during acute systemic flares or local joint flares.
Patients can talk to their doctor about how much rest is best during general or joint flares.
Researchers are comparing the development of musculoskeletal disabilities, including arthritis, in long-distance runners and nonrunners. Preliminary results show that running does not increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. Researchers also are looking at the effects of muscle strength on the development of osteoarthritis. Other researchers continue to look for and find benefits from exercise to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, and polymyositis.