Have you ever feel that you couldn’t walk down stairs or bend over, or you couldn’t even kneel down to pray? You are suffering from a condition called osteoarthritis (OA). According to the World Health Organization, more than 42 million people in the West Pacific region are afflicted with OA of the hip or knee. Dr Kevin Yip of the Singapore Sports and Orthopaedic Clinic says osteoarthritis is three times more common that cancer in Singapore. No-one knows for sure what causes OA, but research shows that heredity, excess weight and previous joint injuries are major factors. One study, done in Manchester, England, and published in 2003, found an increased risk for some who regularly walk long distances over rough ground, sit or stand for prolonged periods, or frequently lift heavy objects. (more…)