The month of October makes most people think of pumpkin spice lattes, vibrant leaves, and Halloween costumes. But here at Premier Orthopaedics, we have something else we keep an eye out for, too, because it's also the time of year known as National Spine Health...
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September is National Vascular Disease Awareness Month
As September starts, it's National Vascular Disease Awareness Month. This is a great time to learn about the health of our veins and arteries. Vascular diseases include problems like deep vein thrombosis and peripheral arterial disease. Read on to learn how to keep...
Causes & Treatment Options for Sciatica
Pain that starts in the lower back and radiates down the back of the leg is what is commonly referred to as sciatica. The pain follows the path of the sciatic nerve down the leg which means that typically, only one side of the body is affected. The sensation that...
All about the knees: common causes of knee problems and how to keep your knees healthy
Knee problems are common, and they may affect people of any age. If you or a loved one has knee problems, you understand how quickly they can put you on the sidelines of life. Whether brought on by injury, overuse, or disease, even minor knee problems can severely limit your activities. Keeping your knees healthy and functioning correctly will go a long way towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle – especially as you age. In this article, we will discuss what causes knee problems and how to keep your knees healthy. As we stated earlier, there are three typical causes of knee problems:
Injury
Knee injuries are often unavoidable. Of course, if you are playing sports, you should always wear the appropriate clothing and protective gear. But sometimes, no matter what you do, you will be involved in an accident that causes a knee injury. If you think you have a knee injury, you should consult a physician as soon as possible.
Overuse
Knee problems caused by overuse are most common among athletes and people with jobs involving manual labor. The best way to avoid these types of knee problems is by always employing proper techniques when lifting or pushing heavy objects. Also, you should maintain appropriate posture at all times, particularly when bending or squatting.
Disease
There are many diseases that can lead to knee problems, and one of the most common is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis often develops naturally when the cartilage designed to cushion and protect your joints wears away as you age. There is no real cure for osteoarthritis, but there are things you can do to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of this disease. Prevention is the First Step The best way to prevent knee injuries is by maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle. If you are overweight, every activity you do puts extra strain on your joints, particularly the knees. If you can lose even a little bit of weight, it will help reduce that added strain. Exercising also helps by strengthening the muscles that support the knees. Losing weight and exercising offer an enormous range of other health benefits, so be sure to make these a priority in your life. If you have pain in your knees, certain exercises may be painful, but swimming is a great option for exercise that can dramatically reduce the impact on your joints. Beyond losing weight and exercising, there are a few other steps you can take. If you walk or jog, your shoes can go a long way towards cushioning the impact of each step, so always wear comfortable, supportive shoes. No matter how careful you are, as you age, you will be at increased risk for knee injury. Use extra caution when running or playing sports. If you would like to learn more about knee surgery and finding the right surgeon, download our free e-book, 360 Degrees of Knee Replacement Surgery.
