Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis associated with the degeneration of joint cartilage. It is also called degenerative joint disease where joints, weight-bearing joints start to lose cartilage. In Osteoarthritis, the cartilage that acts as a cushioning between two bones begins to wear out, causing swelling and pain in movement.
Risk Factors –
Age – People above 50 years of age, are highly likely to develop osteoarthritis in the knees
Sex – Women are more likely to get osteoarthritis compared to men
Hereditary – People with osteoarthritis among close relatives are more likely to develop joint pain.
Weight – Obesity is also one of the major factors causing osteoarthritis in the knees.
Health Conditions – People with injuries in the knee or other conditions can susceptible to OA through degeneration of tissues.
How To Prevent Osteoarthritis Of The Knee?
A large group of people is at risk of developing osteoarthritis with age-related and hereditary factors. Women are more likely to develop OA than men
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Obesity is one of the major causes of developing osteoarthritis in the knees. Because the knee joint supports the entire weight of the body, extra weight can place more strain on the knee joint, in some cases, obesity might even contribute to accelerated degeneration of cartilage in the joints.
Eat Right
Following a healthy and well-balanced diet can be extremely helpful in maintaining bone health and preventing osteoarthritis. Foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D and calcium should be included in your diet.
Keep Blood Sugar Levels Stable
According to the Arthritis Foundation, individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to develop osteoarthritis. Fluctuating and uncontrolled blood sugars can make the muscles and skeleton more sensitive to strain and even lead to loss of cartilage in the joints. High sugar levels are also directly linked with weight gain and obesity which is a huge factor that contributes to developing osteoarthritis in the knees.
Workout
It is also important to exercise the joints on a routine basis to maintain a healthy range of motion in the knees. Exercises like squats, running, lunges can be helpful in building muscle and bone strength and preventing degeneration of the knee joints. However, individuals with prior conditions of the joint should perform mild exercises like running, jogging, and walking to avoid putting too much weight on the knees.
Sufficient Rest
While exercise is important and does help in strengthening the joint, it is also important to provide ample rest to the muscles and bone for recovery. You should be careful not to overdo any activity or overstrain the joints as age-related degeneration can also increase the chances of contracting osteoarthritis in the knees.
Take Care Of Injured Joints
People with a history of leg injuries especially in the knee joint are at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis and therefore need to take special care to prevent further degeneration of their joints. Such individuals should avoid any kind of intense sports activity where rapid knee movement is involved.
Don’t Ignore The Pain
During any activity such as sports or exercise, pay attention to discomfort or pain that may come up in the joints. Playing through the pain in this situation can be extremely detrimental to the joints and put you at a higher risk of osteoarthritis. If you experience discomfort in the knee joints even after several hours of the activity, you can use an ice pack to reduce swelling and consider consulting an orthopedic.
Knee pain can point to many different conditions of the joint and needs to be treated with care. Book your appointment with Saqsham Ortho’s shoulder specialist, Dr Debashish Chanda in Gurgaon today.
