Your knee is one of the largest and most complex joints of the body that keeps you mobile. Due to complex anatomy, it is also one of the most easily injured joints of the body.
Caring consistently for your knee joint is essential to prevent injuries and keep it moving without pain. Knowing how to care for your knee joint can give you long-term benefits.
Let’s talk about some tips to keep your knees healthy and where you can go in Westlake, OH, for effective pain management.
Tip#1 Keep Moving
According to a study, recreational runners have a lower risk of developing knee osteoarthritis than sedentary people and competitive runners.
So, you should be physically active but within a limit. You must not do activities such as deep knee bends, kneeling on a hard surface, and running downhills that add extra stress to your knees.
To keep your knee joint healthy and strengthen the muscles that support your knee joint, you can do non-aerobic exercises such as breeze walk, swimming, and cycling.
Tip#2 Maintain a Healthy Weight
Did you know your knees bear approximately three times of your original body weight when you walk up the stairs and approximately 5 times of your original body weight when you go down the stairs? Not only this, but every one pound of weight you gain puts an extra four pounds of stress on your knees.
So, it’s in the best of your interest to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight to put off extra pressure on your knees and keep them healthy.
Tip #3 Wear Supportive and Comfortable Shoes
Your footwear plays a great role in maintaining the alignment of the joints in your lower extremities. So, you must choose footwear that promotes the proper alignment of your knee joint according to your activity. For example, if you are a runner, choose shoes appropriate for your foot and gait.
Moreover, research has also suggested that postural abnormalities of the feet contribute to knee osteoarthritis. So, if your feet roll inward or outward during the movement, wear shoes that prevent this movement to protect your knees from arthritis.
Tip#4 Maintain Proper Posture
Bad posture, such as slouching or getting more stooped over, is bad for the health of your knee joint. This is because, when you slouch, the center of gravity of your body changes, placing extra stress on your hips and knees.
So, maintain a proper posture, i.e., stand tall with your head in line with your shoulder, shoulder directly over the hips, hips aligned with the knees, and your knees aligned with your feet. You can also do core-strengthening exercises like planks that can help improve your posture.
Tip #5 Wear Knee Braces
Knee braces can provide an extra layer of support to your knees. They provide stability to your knee joint from everyday movement, take pressure off of it and make your movements less painful.
So, don’t forget to wear knee braces before doing a physical activity that can put extra pressure on your knees.
Knee Pain in Westlake, OH
Approximately 15 million American experience knees pain every year. If you are one of those and seek a lasting solution, don’t hesitate to visit us at the Orthopaedic Associates. We have a team of outstanding knee doctors who know how to perform an evaluation efficiently, give a diagnosis, and provide medical treatment tailored to your needs. They also educate you on how to keep your knees healthy for longer.
To make a consultation with one of our knee doctors, call (440) 892-1440 or fill out our appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!