KNEE PAIN
Knee problems are one of the most common reasons that people visit orthopedic or sports medicine surgeons.
While knee injuries are especially common among those who are older, as well as athletes –this type of injury can affect anyone, at any age.
While knee injuries aren’t always preventable, taking steps to keep your knees healthy can help. Here are some tips for maintaining healthy knee joints –and keeping your knees strong.
Being overweight can place extra pressure on the knees. Maintaining a healthy weight can help to reduce some of this pressure and prevent knee injuries. Excess weight on the knee joints may also accelerate osteoarthritis and lead to the degeneration of the joint, so try to maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise is important for healthy knees. Incorporating low-impact exercise into your lifestyle can help to keep your knees strong. Just remember to stretch and warm up before any exercise routine. Consider strength training, which promotes strength and flexibility, and low-impact exercises like cycling, swimming, or rowing.
When working out, avoid bulking up one group of muscles while ignoring the others. It’s best to work on strengthening all of your leg muscles –including the quads, hamstrings, and outer and inner thighs.
Avoid pushing yourself too hard in sports. Running can be hard on the knee joints, so be sure to wear supportive shoes, and avoid upping your exercise program too drastically. When you reach a hill or steep incline, take care not to put too much pressure on your knee. If you have sustained an injury, avoid the temptation to power through it. Instead, take the time to rest and recover.
Finally, if you are experiencing persistent knee pain or pain that’s due to knee injuries, be sure to see a physician.
Blackstone Orthopedics provides sports medicine for Rhode Island. If you have sustained a knee injury or are experiencing joint pain, contact Blackstone Orthopedics today for an appointment.
