Shop NowDaily Health Tips update for June 15:
Did you know that over five million people a year visit orthopedic surgeons due to knee-related issues? And of the over 600,000 arthroscopic surgeries performed every year, 85% are for knee surgery. That’s a lot of knees! So what can you do to help keep your knees in top shape? Whether you’re a couch potato or an avid athlete, these knee tips could come in handy.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Every pound you weigh puts five pounds of pressure on your knees. For example, if 200 pounds is a healthy weight for you, you’re already putting about 500 pounds of pressure on each knee! Plus, extra weight increases your risk of osteoarthritis.
- If you’re starting a fitness program or sport, or if you’re already into one, it’s important not to over-exert yourself by training too hard. Activities that involve twisting and turning (like racquet sports, skiing, soccer or basketball) can do serious damage to your knees. Ease into a new activity to see how much your knees can really take. And before any activity, be sure to properly stretch your knees and the muscles that support them like hamstrings and quads.
- Never ignore knee pain. If you’ve experience pain that lasts more than a few days, see your doctor. Early detection and treatment can save you recovery time in the long run.
- If you have a knee injury, be patient. Doing your rehab exercises and taking your doctor’s advice can help speed up recovery. As much as you want to get back out there, pushing your mending knees can throw off healing and may actually cause more damage than you had before.
Source: surgery.com
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