The pain in your knee can be caused by many things. It can be due to a minor injury that you ignored and turned into a chronic issue. It can be due to being overweight, which can bring a lot of pressure and stress to your joints. It can be due to getting older and your joints wearing away. Whatever the reason may be, there are many things you can do to keep them healthy. It also helps that you check with your knee specialist in case you need more invasive solutions. For now, here are some important tips to keep those joints healthy.
1. Never ignore the pain
The injury does not have to be a big one to cause pain. Therefore, even if there is just a slight pain, do not ignore it. This is your body telling you that something is wrong and you should do something about it. Most people just brush off the pain they feel, thinking that it will just go away. Early diagnosis of the problem is better than finding out that the damage is already irreversible. So, if you need to see a doctor, do so. They can provide better treatment suggestions once the cause of the pain has been determined.
2. Lose weight
Carrying extra weight can cause stress on your joints. It is said that a pound of body weight translates to 3 to 7 lbs of weight on your joints. Therefore, even if you just lose a little weight, it means a lot for your joints. On the other hand, a few pounds in excess have a great negative impact on your joints as well.
To start shaving off some weight, you need to start being more physically active and choosing to eat healthier. You can start with light exercises like walking, biking, or swimming. You can also start ditching the junk food for healthier choices. Avoid eating out often and choose to dine on home-cooked meals instead.
3. Support your diet
Changing your diet so you can lose weight can be challenging at first. Moreover, you may feel like your new diet is lacking. Therefore, it is recommended that you have supplements to have a fuller diet. Take vitamins including calcium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D, which aid in making your bones and joints stronger.
Also, aside from the diet change, support your diet with a lifestyle change as needed. If you smoke, you should slowly quit it. Smoking makes it more difficult for your injuries to heal.
4. Put some ice on it
If the pain continues, a temporary solution is putting some ice on it. This relieves the pain and prevents the area from swelling. If the pain persists, seek medical help.
5. Find out more
Request a consultation with one of the knee specialists at the Orthopedic & Sports Institute. Call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online.
OSI has convenient locations to serve you. The campus in Appleton includes clinics, a surgery center, MRI, physical therapy, and a skilled nursing facility, as well as a walk-in clinic that provides care for new orthopedic injuries.
OSI has outreach clinics in New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location serving the Green Bay area, inside the NOVO Health Clinic in De Pere.
OSI is a founding member of NOVO Health.