To Your Health: Arthritis and Fishing

By Hariprasad Korsapati, MD, and Ann Backus, MS

All of us in the Northeast, fishermen and non-fishermen, are moving into the cold season. Some of us notice this change, not only in the outside temperature but also in our joints. Colder temperatures can cause our joints to feel sore or stiff. Any joints can be affected. For fishermen joint pain can be debilitating given how highly involved in fishing all the joints are — shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees and ankles.

Arthritis is the medical term used to describe painful, stiff, and often swollen joints. The word comes from the Greek “arthron” meaning joint and “itis” meaning inflammation.

There are a number of different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the medical term used to describe the form of arthritis that involves the loss of cartilage, the slippery tissue that cushions the juncture between bones in a joint. This loss of cartilage happens as we age. Rheumatoid arthritis is quite different. It describes a type of arthritis which involves an auto-immune disease in which one’s immune system degrades cartilage. This loss of cartilage also results in pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Fishing does not cause OA, but exposure to a cold and wet environment can cause it to flare up. Fishermen can take steps to mitigate the pain and stiffness of OA.

In terms of temperature, you have already figured out ways to stay warm while fishing. If you have certain joints that flare up with cold temperature, pay attention to those joints.

If finger and hand joints are the problem, find good gloves that allow you to work but keep your hands warm and dry. Admittedly this is a challenge because you are handling wet ropes and traps all day long. Perhaps changing to dry gloves part way through the day would be an option. If knees are the problem, a soft knee sleeve coupled with layered clothing and waterproof overalls may help keep the problem knee warm.

Before hauling and/or for brief breaks while fishing you can add in some warming exercises such as sit-to stands or short squats (if not a problem for knees) or toe-heel pumps at the rail. These will encourage circulation and bring warm blood and nourishment to the lower body. You can take micro-breaks between haul/set cycles and do other stretches you have seen demonstrated or learned about.

Our bodies seek a steady core temperature and in any temperature environment, very hot or very cold, we may need to aid the natural thermoregulation process. On cold days, layered clothing, muscular activity, and warm drinks can be helpful.

In addition to addressing the temperature factor involved in osteoarthritis, we can look at what we call “work organization.” Many of you either have on board or have seen on Maine Marine Patrol boats a rope locker which allows the rope to fall off the hauler into a below-deck compartment. This keeps rope away from the feet. Your knees will be much happier if you are not kicking the rope out of the way during every haul.

An alternative to a rope locker designed into a fiberglass boat is a hinged rope bin positioned along the rail. For simple DIY directions, email Ann Backus (asnbackus7@gmail.com) or see “Rope Bin Directions" here. To improve comfort while standing, some fishermen have added modular rubber tiles or a single soft mat near the hauler. Whatever you choose, be sure it is not a trip hazard.

Some ergonomic suggestions include keeping the load close to your body, keeping the load weight reasonable by sliding traps along the rail, and facing your work rather than pivoting.

Fishermen have told us that healthcare providers often have little knowledge about what is involved in fishing operations. One fisherman told us that it was only after he took a video of himself fishing to a physical therapy appointment that the PT understood what exercises would be appropriate to reduce his pain.

FishAbility, a program within the AgrAbility program of the University of Maine Extension, offers free consulting for fishermen who want to address work organization, ergonomic and/or pain issues. Through this program a person highly knowledgeable about fishing practices will visit your boat on request, observe your work process, suggest practical tweaks and connect you with local resources. To learn more about this free service, you may contact FishAbility at extension.umaine.edu/agrability/fishing-resources.

There are over-the-counter gels and creams that are sometimes helpful, and locally applied heat at home as well as home exercise can be beneficial. Losing a few pounds will also help to relieve pressure on your knees. Every one pound of weight lost results in a reduction of four pounds of force on the knee.

If you are awakened by pain while sleeping or are losing sleep because of pain, if you notice a joint that “catches” or you experience joint swelling that does not resolve, it may be time to reach out to a healthcare provider.

While some fishermen use marijuana or something stronger to control pain, a better path would be to learn about and address what is causing the pain.

Osteoarthritis can be debilitating. Careful attention to what causes the pain and modification of the work process (i.e., work organization) can make a difference. There are many more pain reduction strategies than we have been able to mention here. Be creative and thoughtful about strategies that may work for you and consider reaching out to FishAbility and other resources for additional ideas.

What is Maine FishAbility?

FishAbility supports fishermen, lobstermen, oyster farmers, people working in aquaculture, and family members of fishing businesses who experience barriers to employment such as aging, injury, or chronic illness.We offer resources, information, and practical solutions to help fishermen work safely and productively.