Osteoarthritis, injury, or normal wear and tear make knee pain a common condition in the US

Millions of Americans suffer from moderate to severe knee pain daily. People of all ages can experience chronic pain in their knees due to injury to ligaments or cartilage in the knee joint, as well as medical conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA) and gout. Regardless of the root cause, knee pain can impact your quality of life by making mundane tasks much more difficult.

In addition to sharp or dull pain in the joint, people may experience additional symptoms including swelling or stiffness, redness, warmth, instability and popping or crunching noises. While some symptoms require procedures for relief, many symptoms can be improved by taking a few extra precautions. Here are some useful tips for managing knee pain:

R.I.C.E.

inflammation is a common culprit of knee discomfort. Reducing inflammation is often a good start to relieving pain. Following R.I.C.E at least once a day for your knee should help decrease inflammation in the joint.

Rest:

Taking a few days off from activities that are aggravating your knee can help give the joint time to heal.

Ice:

Icing your knee can be good for immediate relief by numbing the area. Additionally, ice will reduce blood flow to the area which will also help with inflammation.

Compression:

Wrapping the knee or wearing a sleeve will also reduce blood flow in the area, aiding with inflammation.

Elevate:

Placing your leg and knee above your heart will help remove excess blood from your knee as it increases blood flow back to the heart.

Pinpoint the Issue

Problems with different parts of the knee joint will result in varying symptoms. Take the time to determine where your pain is coming from:

  • Damage to bone or cartilage will affect the range of motion of the knee; does your knee lock or get stuck in certain positions/
  • Damage to ligaments in the knee will affect the stability of the joint; does your knee feel like it is giving way more than usual?
  • Damage to tendons will present as minimal pain during rest, but will increase in severity with strenuous activity. This pain also localizes to the front of the knee.
  • Strain to a surrounding muscle will often show as pain above or below the knee joint.

Strength: Not Just For Your Quads and Hamstrings!

Strengthening muscles around the knee joint (hamstrings, quadriceps, calves) helps take stress off the knee. However, these are not the only muscles you should be focusing on. Strengthening your hips, glutes and core will also take pressure off your knee and should always be included in your exercise regimen.

Whether you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, are recovering from a knee surgery, or suffer from general wear and tare of the joint, certain nutritional supplements may help relieve your symptoms. If you experience moderate to severe knee pain, click here to learn more about a paid research study for the use of a glucosamine chondroitin supplement.

If you are suffering from knee pain, Boston Clinical Trials has a clinical research study available that is testing the efficacy and safety of a natural supplement for knee pain. Click here to learn more about this clinical trial. 

Information for this blog was sourced from: https://www.fairview.org/Blog/10-tips-for-dealing-with-knee-pain