About 60 million people in the U.S. – including young athletes and active adults – suffer with osteoarthritis. This chronic, degenerative condition can affect the major body joints, such as the knee, shoulder, and hip.
You’ve long known that people tend to develop painful knee joints due to arthritis, but is knee osteoarthritis inevitable? Can you prevent it from plaguing you, too?
Let’s talk about how knee arthritis develops, some tips to help you prevent it or to lessen its effects, and where you can go in Fort Lauderdale so see an outstanding orthopedic surgeon who can help you keep your joints strong, healthy, and pain-free.
How Does Knee Osteoarthritis Happen?
The cartilage in a joint – the natural cushioning and movement facilitator – can gradually wear down and become thin, causing what orthopedic surgeons call “bone-on-bone” wear and tear. When this happens in the knee, the joint can become painful, stiff, and lose its range of motion.
Other factors contributing to knee osteoarthritis are:
- Poor hydration (not drinking enough water during waking hours)
- A diet that is low in fiber (not enough fruits, vegetables, cereals, and breads)
- Obesity (a body mass index of 30 or higher)
- Heredity (arthritis tends to run in families)
Because the knees are weight-bearing joints, excess body weight can cause an individual to be more likely to develop osteoarthritis in the knee. In fact, each pound of extra weight produces two to four pounds’ worth of undue stress on the knees, which adds downward pressure on the cartilage. This causes the cartilage to flatten and to thereby lose its ability to prevent bone-on-bone rubbing when you move your knee.
What Can I Do to Prevent Knee Osteoarthritis?
Prevention of knee arthritis includes incorporating these basic standards into your lifestyle:
- Achieving and maintaining a body weight that is as close to ideal as possible
- Drinking plenty of water every day (enough so that you don’t feel thirsty)
- Consuming a nutritious diet that is high in calcium, fiber, and protein
- Getting daily aerobic exercise (walking and swimming are ideal, as they are easiest on the joints)
- Avoiding sports injuries through proper conditioning and training, and always using the protective equipment that is appropriate for the sport
Experienced Orthopedic Surgeon in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A hands-on examination by your orthopedist, along with a discussion of your medical history and any symptoms, and possibly also imaging tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, etc.), will tell your orthopedic surgeon how to proceed with treating your knee pain. Dr. Paul Meli is our fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon who consistently delivers many innovative arthritis treatments to his patients, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and joint replacement surgery.
Call our Fort Lauderdale orthopedic clinic today at (954) 324-7711, or fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you achieve the best musculoskeletal health possible!