There were around 26.9 million people with osteoarthritis in 2005, and people are starting to find alternative ways to manage the pain. Many people want to avoid surgery, and are turning to exercise and therapy instead.

I’d spent the September weekend playing two doubles tennis matches. When I went back to work on Monday, my left knee locked up and hurt when I got up from my desk.

Walking down stairs brought on the same symptoms.

The pain was mild and brief, but bothersome, nonetheless. I’d never had a sports injury in 35 years of playing tennis and had been proud of that fact.

I also enjoy the exercise and social networking benefits of tennis too much to live without it.

So when the knee stiffness remained after two weeks, I visited my primary care doctor, who looked at my knee and ordered an MRI.

My journey to find a diagnosis and an effective treatment for joint pain is one shared by millions of aging Americans.

So many people — many of them baby boomers like me — are developing problems with their knees, hips and shoulders that hospital systems all over Michigan are hosting frequent, free classes to teach people about their options.

An estimated 26.9 million Americans had osteoarthritis in 2005, up from 21 million in 1990, according to… continue reading

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