You raise a good point and an equally good question. It's true that studies support the use of exercise to prevent and treat osteoarthritis. It's also true that pain, stiffness, and limited motion keep many people from exercising.

The first step is to get control of your pain. Your doctor will be able to help you with this. There are many new safe and effective arthritis medications available now to help patients with this.

Finding the right kind of exercise is the next step. This may be an aquatics program at your local YMCA or health club. It may be an at-home program such as "Get Fit While You Sit" (http://www.getfitwhileyousit.com) or it could be a walking program at a shopping mall. A physical therapist can help you find the right match for your health, joint motion, and symptom level.

In any exercise program the idea is to find something that you are willing to do long-term. Ten minutes a day for 10 years is better than an hour three times a week but only for three months.