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Knee Injury and Surgery Specialists
Knee pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are
many causes. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis
of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment
can be directed at the cause.
Knee Osteoarthritis: Is Knee Replacement Surgery
Inevitable?
Knee osteoarthritis (OA), can make almost anything you do
painful: walking, climbing stairs, -- even sitting or lying
down. Although knee replacement surgery is one
osteoarthritis treatment option that can help bring relief,
it’s not the only one. There are many choices to try first
that can reduce knee pain, improve your ability to move, and
possibly delay or eliminate your need for joint replacement
surgery altogether.
Keep bones strong
- Eat a nutritious diet with enough calcium and
vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium
is found in dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and
yogurt; dark green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli;
and other foods. For more information, see the topic
Healthy Eating.
- Exercise and stay active. It is best to do
weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, stair
climbing, dancing, or lifting weights, for 45 to 60
minutes at least 4 days a week. Weight-bearing exercises
stimulate new bone growth by working the muscles and
bones against gravity. Exercises that are not
weight-bearing, such as swimming, are good for your
general health but do not stimulate new bone growth.
Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that is
right for you. Begin slowly, especially if you have been
inactive.
When to See a Knee Specialist
For athletes and weekend warriors alike, knee pain can
get in the way of enjoying life and should never be ignored.
If left untreated, knee pain that starts as a nuisance can
turn into serious injury down the road. When should you see
a specialist?
Answer any of the
following that apply:
Top 5 Tips for Knee Health
- Always warm up before doing any kind of physical
activity.
- Wear shoes that fit properly, especially when
running.
- Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of activity.
During workouts, always increase the force and duration
of activity gradually.
- Strengthen your hamstring and quadriceps, which are
muscles that work together to bend or straighten the
leg. Strengthening both muscles through weights can
better protect the leg against knee injuries.
- Talk to a knee specialist if you encounter any kind
of pain that persists for more than several days, or
recurs after particular activities.
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The following tips may prevent knee problems: |
- Wear your seat belt in a motor vehicle.
- Don't carry objects that are too heavy. Use a step
stool. Do not stand on chairs or other unsteady objects.
- Wear knee guards during sports or recreational
activities, such as roller-skating or soccer.
- Stretch before and after physical exercise, sports,
or recreational activities to warm up your muscles.
- Use the correct techniques or positions during
activities so that you do not strain your muscles.
- Use equipment appropriate to your size, strength,
and ability. Avoid repeated movements that can cause
injury. In daily routines or hobbies, look at activities
in which you make repeated knee movements.
- Consider taking lessons to learn the proper
technique for sports. Have a trainer or person who is
familiar with sports equipment check your equipment to
see if it is well suited for your level of ability, body
size, and body strength.
- If you feel that certain activities at your
workplace are causing pain or soreness from overuse,
call your human resources department for information on
other ways of doing your job or to talk about using
different equipment.
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