Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for osteoarthritis?

Using a TENS unit on the affected joint can help alleviate pain by delivering electrical impulses that interfere with pain signals to the brain. Applying a heating pad may provide temporary relief, but it is not as effective as using a TENS unit for pain management in osteoarthritis. High-impact exercises are not recommended, as they can exacerbate joint pain and damage. Massaging the affected joint with essential oils may offer some relief, but it is not as effective as using a TENS unit for pain management.

a. Applying a heating pad to the affected joint for 30 minutes daily. While applying a heating pad may provide some temporary relief, using a TENS unit is a more effective non-pharmacological intervention for pain management in osteoarthritis.
c. Performing high-impact exercises to strengthen the affected joint. High-impact exercises can exacerbate joint pain and damage in clients with osteoarthritis. Low-impact exercises are recommended instead.
d. Massaging the affected joint with essential oils. While massaging the affected joint may offer some relief, using a TENS unit is a more effective non-pharmacological intervention for pain management in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage and changes in the underlying bone. It primarily affects the joint structures, leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function.

a. The synovial membrane and tendons are involved in other joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and tendinitis, not osteoarthritis.
c. Ligaments and bursae are important for joint stability and movement, but they are not primarily affected in osteoarthritis.
d. Muscles and nerves can be affected indirectly due to joint changes in osteoarthritis, but they are not the primary structures involved in the disease process.