Answer:
Dear
Alfred,
Many
older people are troubled by chronic knee pain.
Older people with knee pain also have pain in other joints.
Some
common knee problems are:
Sprained
or strained knee ligaments and/or muscles. Symptoms often include
pain, swelling, and difficulty in walking.
Torn
cartilage.
Cartilage tears can often occur with sprains. Treatment may involve
wearing a brace during an activity to protect the knee from further
injury. Surgery may be needed to repair the tear.
Tendonitis.
Inflammation of the tendons may result from overuse of a tendon during
certain activities such as running, jumping, or cycling.
Arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the
knee.
If initial treatment methods do not provide relief, and x-rays show
destruction of the joint, the orthopedist may recommend total joint
replacement for the knee.
Treatment for strained knee ligaments will vary according to which
ligaments you have damaged and how badly. It will also depend on how
much sport you do. If you don't put much demand on your knee, resting
it and following a program of strengthening physiotherapy exercises
may be sufficient.
There are some precautions you can take to try to reduce the risk
of damaging your knee ligaments.
You should
exercise regularly to maintain a good level of fitness. This will
mean your muscles are stronger and better able to support your joints,
including your knees. If you have not been active for a while, start
gently and gradually increase the intensity.
Spend
five to 10 minutes warming up before exercising and cooling down afterwards.
Stretch out your muscles once they are warmed-up - don't do this while
they are cold as you could damage them - and then again after you
have cooled down. This reduces the risk of injuring yourself and helps
to prevent stiffness later.
