Living Active with Arthritis: Stories of People Who Refuse to Slow Down

Key Takeaways

Arthritis doesn’t have to end the activities you love
Finding the right treatment combination takes patience and persistence
Adapting techniques and pacing yourself makes staying active possible
Small modifications can have a big impact on your quality of life
Many people successfully manage arthritis and live fulfilling, active lives

When you’re first diagnosed with arthritis, it can feel like your active lifestyle is coming to an end. You might wonder if you’ll ever golf again, work in your garden, or keep up with your grandchildren.

The truth is, many people with arthritis continue doing what they love—they just had to find the right approach. Here are their stories.

Tom’s Story: Back on the Golf Course

At 68, Tom had been golfing three times a week for over 20 years. When knee pain forced him to quit for six months, he felt like he’d lost a part of himself.

“Golf wasn’t just exercise for me,” Tom says. “It was my social life. Tuesday and Thursday mornings with my buddies, then Saturday rounds with my wife. When I couldn’t play anymore, I felt isolated.”

What Changed

Tom’s doctor diagnosed him with knee osteoarthritis and recommended he try conservative treatments first. He started with:

Physical therapy focused on strengthening the muscles around his knee
Over-the-counter pain relievers on golf days
Ice after rounds

These helped some, but he still couldn’t complete 18 holes without significant pain.

That’s when his doctor suggested hyaluronic acid injections. After his first series of gel shots, Tom noticed a gradual improvement over several weeks.

“I didn’t wake up pain-free overnight,” he explains. “But after about a month, I realized I was walking without thinking about my knee. That’s when I knew it was working.”

Tom’s Tips for Staying on the Course

Use a cart: “I used to walk every round. Now I ride, and that’s okay. I’m still playing.”
Warm up properly: “I get to the course 20 minutes early and do the stretches my physical therapist taught me.”
Know your limits: “If my knee’s having a bad day, I play nine holes instead of eighteen. Some golf is better than no golf.”
Keep up with treatment: “I get my injections regularly and do my exercises. It’s not optional if I want to keep playing.”

Today, Tom plays twice a week and recently shot his best round in three years.

Margaret’s Story: The Garden Never Looked Better

Margaret, 71, thought she might have to give up the garden she’d been tending for 40 years. Knee and hand arthritis made kneeling, digging, and pruning increasingly painful.

“My garden was my therapy,” she says. “The idea of watching it go wild while I sat inside was heartbreaking.”

Small Changes, Big Difference

Instead of giving up, Margaret got creative. She researched adaptive gardening techniques and made some changes:

Raised beds: Built waist-high planters so she doesn’t have to kneel
Better tools: Invested in ergonomic tools with padded grips and long handles
Smart scheduling: Does heavy work in the morning when she’s less stiff
Short sessions: Works in 30-minute blocks with breaks in between

She also worked with her doctor on a treatment plan that includes:

Daily glucosamine supplements
Prescription anti-inflammatory gel for her hands
Cortisone injections when needed for flare-ups
Gentle hand exercises

Margaret’s Gardening Wisdom

Let some things go: “I used to grow 12 varieties of tomatoes. Now I grow four. My garden is smaller, but I enjoy it more.”
Ask for help: “My grandson does the heavy mulching in spring. It’s become our special time together.”
Focus on joy: “I choose plants I love most. Life’s too short to spend time on flowers that don’t make me happy.”
Listen to your body: “Some days I water and deadhead. Other days I just sit and enjoy. Both are good days.”

Margaret’s garden won a neighborhood beautification award last summer.

Robert’s Story: The Grandfather Who Says Yes

Robert, 69, has three young grandchildren who think Grandpa can do anything. When hip arthritis started slowing him down, he worried about disappointing them.

“My five-year-old granddaughter asked me to play tag at the park, and I had to say no,” Robert remembers. “Her face just fell. That’s when I knew I had to do something.”

Finding What Works

Robert tried several approaches before finding his winning combination:

Water exercise: Joined a pool program specifically for people with arthritis
Weight management: Lost 15 pounds, which reduced stress on his hip
Hyaluronic acid injections: Gets them twice a year for his hip
Strategic planning: Schedules active grandkid time after his morning exercises when he’s loosest

He also learned to be creative about activities with his grandchildren.

Robert’s Grandparent Tips

Modify, don’t eliminate: “We still play tag, but now it’s ‘slow-motion tag’ or ‘sitting tag.’ They think it’s hilarious.”
Choose your moments: “I save my energy for the really important things—birthday parties, school plays, weekend visits.”
Be honest: “I tell them, ‘Grandpa’s hip is sore today, but my arms work great!’ Then we do arm wrestling or play catch.”
Stay consistent with treatment: “I never miss my pool class or skip my injections. My grandkids are counting on me.”

Last month, Robert took all three grandchildren to a baseball game and made it through nine innings without needing to leave early.

Linda’s Story: The Morning Walker

Linda, 73, walks four miles every morning with her neighbor. When knee pain made it hard to walk a single block, she feared losing both her exercise routine and her closest friendship.

“Those morning walks were how I started every day for ten years,” Linda says. “Nancy and I solved the world’s problems on those walks.”

A Multi-Pronged Approach

Linda’s treatment plan evolved over time:

Started with basics: Physical therapy and anti-inflammatories
Added support: Got proper walking shoes and a knee brace
Tried injections: Began with cortisone, then switched to hyaluronic acid for longer-lasting relief
Built strength: Added strength training twice a week

The combination worked, but Linda also had to make adjustments.

Linda’s Walking Wisdom

Distance isn’t everything: “We started at one mile and slowly built back up. Took six months, but we got there.”
Terrain matters: “We changed our route to avoid hills. The flat riverside path works better for my knees.”
Consistency is key: “I walk every day, even if it’s just around the block. Movement helps more than rest.”
Stay flexible: “On bad days, we walk slower or shorter. We still get our coffee and conversation.”

Linda recently completed a charity 5K walk and is already planning her next one.

Common Threads: What These Stories Teach Us

While each person’s journey is different, several themes emerge from these stories:

1. It Takes Time

None of these people found instant solutions. They tried different approaches, adjusted their strategies, and gave treatments time to work.

2. Combination Approaches Work Best

Most found success by combining several strategies—treatment, exercise, modifications, and lifestyle changes—rather than relying on just one approach.

3. Modification Isn’t Giving Up

Changing how you do something isn’t the same as quitting. Tom rides instead of walking. Margaret gardens in raised beds. These aren’t compromises—they’re smart adaptations.

4. Professional Help Matters

All of these people worked with healthcare providers to find the right treatment plan. Physical therapists, doctors, and specialists helped them stay active.

5. Attitude Counts

Each person focused on what they could do rather than what they couldn’t. That mindset made all the difference.

Your Turn: Writing Your Own Active Story

If you’re struggling with arthritis but want to stay active, here’s how to start:

Talk to Your Doctor

Discuss your goals honestly. Tell them what activities matter most to you. There may be treatment options you haven’t tried yet.

Be Patient

Finding the right approach takes time. Some treatments work gradually. Others might not work for you at all. Keep trying.

Start Small

You don’t have to jump back to full activity immediately. Even small amounts of movement are valuable.

Get Creative

Think about modifications that might help. Could different equipment make tasks easier? Would changing the time of day help?

Connect With Others

Consider joining a support group or exercise class for people with arthritis. You’ll find ideas, encouragement, and understanding.

Celebrate Progress

Notice and appreciate small improvements. Being able to walk a little farther or garden a little longer is worth celebrating.

Treatment Options That Help People Stay Active

Many of the people in these stories found relief through various treatments:

Hyaluronic acid injections: Restore cushioning in the joint for lasting relief
Physical therapy: Strengthens supporting muscles and improves movement
Anti-inflammatory medications: Reduce pain and swelling
Weight management: Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints
Exercise programs: Water exercise, tai chi, and gentle yoga can all help

The key is finding the right combination for your specific situation.

The Bottom Line

Arthritis is real, and the pain is real. But an arthritis diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of your active life.

Tom is golfing. Margaret is gardening. Robert is playing with his grandchildren. Linda is walking four miles.

You can write your own active story too. It might look different than you imagined, but it can still be full and rewarding.

The first step is believing it’s possible. The second step is working with your healthcare provider to find what works for you.

What will your story be?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really stay active with arthritis?

Yes, many people with arthritis maintain active lifestyles. The key is finding the right combination of treatments, modifications, and pacing strategies that work for your specific situation.

How long does it take to see improvement with treatment?

It varies by treatment type. Some medications work within days, while hyaluronic acid injections may take 2-4 weeks to show full effect. Physical therapy benefits build gradually over weeks to months.

What if one treatment doesn’t work?

Many people try several approaches before finding what works best. Don’t give up if the first treatment isn’t effective. Work with your doctor to explore other options.

Is it safe to exercise with arthritis?

Yes, in fact, appropriate exercise is one of the best things you can do for arthritis. Work with a physical therapist to learn safe exercises for your joints.

Will I need to give up activities I love?

Not necessarily. Many people continue their favorite activities by making modifications, using adaptive equipment, or adjusting how and when they do them.

How do I know which treatment is right for me?

This depends on your arthritis type, severity, location, overall health, and personal goals. Have an honest conversation with your doctor about what matters most to you.

This article features composite patient stories created for educational purposes. Individual results vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.

Last medically reviewed: March 2025