Knee pain is a common condition that can be caused by both short-term and long-term problems. Many short-term knee problems do not need any help from doctors and people can often help with their own recovery. According to New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer, some home remedies can also help with many of the long-term problems with knee pain.
The following are simple remedies that can help with many forms of knee pain.
Exercise: Strengthening certain muscles like the quadriceps can ease pain in the knees. Exercise helps to slow the progression of osteoarthritis, a common cause of knee pain. Physical activity is important to the normal health of cartilage tissue.
Your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon advises that exercise is also good for strengthening the body’s support for its joints. For the knee, strengthening the leg muscles is particularly helpful. Water aerobics is especially helpful for joint pain because the benefits come without any strain on the knees.
Strengthening exercises: Exercises to strengthen the muscles in the upper leg can help to protect the knee joint. Known as the quadriceps muscles, these muscles are at the front and sides of the thighs.
Simply raising a straightened leg while sitting or lying down is an exercise that will strengthen these muscles and help them to stabilize the knee. Other exercises that might reduce knee pain include stepping – putting one foot up on a step followed by the other, stepping down again, and repeating the step-ups.
Posture and support: Simple measures to avoid putting strain on the knee include avoiding chairs that are low to the ground or couches in which the sitter “sinks.” Sitting on a pillow may help with this. Putting a pillow underneath the knees can make the problem worse, however. A good sitting posture is also important.
Shoes that are supportive are helpful. Shoes with broken arches may produce abnormal force and wear on the knee causing pain. Long periods without moving should be avoided. In osteoarthritis, for example, prolonged sitting can produce a stiff, painful joint.
Weight loss and diet: A healthy diet helps people to keep weight off and ease pressure on the knees. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have knee pain than others. Carrying extra weight gives the joints more work to do and according to your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon, losing it helps to reduce long-term knee pain, including pain caused by arthritis.
Eating well helps with keeping weight off. A healthy diet means a balanced one that is low in fat and high in fruit, vegetables, and fiber. Try to avoid eating a lot of meat and animal fat
Alternative and complementary remedies: Your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon advises that acupuncture might help some people guard against some forms of pain. For osteoarthritis in the knee, however, it is unclear if it has any benefit or not. Massage may relieve pain.
Healthy eating, exercise, reducing overweight and obesity, and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications remain the proven options for knee pain caused by arthritis.
If you are experiencing any type of knee pain – don’t hesitate – call the office of New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer today to Schedule a Consultation. You don’t have to live in pain