How to Prevent Knee Problems
Some
knee problems, such as those resulting from an accident, cannot be foreseen or prevented. However, people can prevent many knee problems by following these suggestions:
- Before exercising or participating in sports,
warm up by walking or riding a stationary bicycle, then do stretches.
Stretching the muscles in the front of the thigh (quadriceps) and back of the thigh (hamstrings) reduces tension on the tendons and relieves pressure on the knee during activity.
-
Strengthen the leg muscles by doing specific exercises (for example, by walking up stairs or hills or by riding a stationary bicycle). A supervised workout with weights is another way to strengthen the leg muscles that support the knee.
-
Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of exercise. Increase the force or duration of activity gradually.
- Wear
shoes that
fit properly and are in
good condition. This will help maintain balance and leg alignment when walking or running. Flat feet or overpronated feet (feet that roll inward) can cause knee problems. People can often reduce some of these problems by wearing
special shoe inserts (orthotics).
-
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knee. Obesity increases the risk of
osteoarthritis of the knee.
Above content provided by the National Institutes of Health in partnership with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.
Posted March 2010