Cycling with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a form of rheumatism in which the quality of cartilage in joints is deteriorating. The progression of this disease can be reduced by regular exercise. Cycling with osteoarthritis is a way of moving that can have a positive effect. It strengthens the muscles, tendons and ligaments and improves your condition. You also get more confidence in yourself and your body. Read more about cycling with osteoarthritis and the use of special needs Van Raam bicycles with osteoarthritis.

Cycling with osteoarthritis on a special needs bike

Van Raam is a manufacturer of special needs bikes. These adapted bicycles are suitable for people who, due to a condition or disability, cannot (or can no longer) cycle on a regular bicycle. Van Raam's special bicycles may be suitable for people with osteoarthritis. Van Raam has different models of special needs bikes, these can be fully customized with options and accessories. With the online configurator of Van Raam it is possible to put together a bike yourself. In a few easy steps you choose a special needs bike and all the options and accessories you would like to have with your custom bike. After the last step you fill in your email address and you can view the complete configuration. You will also receive the complete configuration by email. You can take the configuration with you to a test ride or Van Raam dealer.

Take a look at the Van Raam models in the overview below.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (also called arthrosis) is a form of rheumatism and a disorder of cartilage and bone in your joints in which the cartilage becomes thin or sometimes even disappears altogether. Pain and restriction of movement, such as morning stiffness, are the main symptoms. Cartilage contains no nerves and can therefore not hurt. Pain caused by osteoarthritis is therefore probably due to other changes inside and outside the joint, such as changes in the bones, osteophytes (visible and palpable nodules), inflammation of the mucous membrane in the joint or changing nerves in the joint. Muscles around the joint can also change, which can cause pain. Worldwide, an estimated 300 million people have osteoarthritis (source: Reuma Nederland and OAFI Osteoarthritis Foundation International).

Knee osteoarhtritis and cycling

Almost half of the people in the Netherlands with osteoarthritis suffer from knee osteoarthritis. With osteoarthritis of the knee, the cartilage in the knee joint changes. The symptoms are pain and stiffness in the knee. The stiffness is especially felt when someone starts moving again after sitting or lying for a long time. There are periods in which the pain is worse and periods in which the pain is less (source: Thuisarts.nl). It is important to move regularly with knee osteoarthritis, but not to strain it.

Cycling usually results in the least joint pain for people with knee osteoarthritis. You are then active without putting any strain on your knee joint. When you're cycling, your legs don't have to carry your weight. Read more about knee osteoarthritis in the article 'Cycling with knee osteoarthritis'. Monique talks about her knee osteoarthritis in this article. She has knee osteoarthritis on both knees and wears two braces. She has a Midi tricycle from Van Raam.

Cycling with osteoarthritis on a Van Raam bicycle - customer experiences

Read in the reviews below the experiences of persons with osteoarthritis with a Van Raam bicycle. A special needs bike helps these persons to move and cycle again. More experiences of Van Raam bicycle users can be read on the user experiences page.

Want to read more?

Van Raam has written several articles about special needs bicycles for various conditions: