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Alleviate Knee Pain With Exercise, Weight Loss and Medication

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Posted: Jan 22, 2014 | by admin | 0 Comment

osteoarthritis, knee, replacement, Virginia Orthopaedic & Spine Specialists, surgeryKnee replacement surgery is one of the most common forms of joint replacement surgery. Not only does it help with pain and mobility issues but it also helps preserve movement.

It is often needed to help patients who have a form of arthritis that has caused excessive damage.

Sometimes, patients can avoid knee replacement surgery by making behavior and lifestyle changes to alleviate their knee pain.

Treatments include:

  • Exercise – When your knees hurt, it’s hard to believe that exercise might make them feel better. However, certain exercises can strengthen the muscles around the knee and help improve flexibility. A sports medicine specialist is a great resource to help teach you safe ways to strengthen those muscles.
  • Weight Loss – If you’re overweight, those extra pounds can take a heavy toll on your knee joints. By eating healthier meals and exercising regularly, you can lose weight and reduce the load of weight your knees bear.
  • Walking Aids – Canes can reduce stress on the joint, and pain.
  • Shoe Inserts – By changing the way your feet stand, you also alter your knee’s alignment. Subtle changes can help some people find pain relief.
  • Medication – Many types of medicine are used to treat knee pain. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can reduce pain. Your doctor may also recommend using corticosteroids, which fight inflammation. Hyaluronic acid substitutes are designed to help lubricate joints.

Source: National Institutes of Health

+ Learn about exercising and the risk of osteoarthritis.

+ Read about minimally-invasive “all-inside” ACL reconstruction surgery at Virginia Orthopaedic & Spine Specialists.

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