Importance Of Exercise In The Treatment Of Knee Osteoarthritis for Senior Citizens
Knee osteoarthritis, which occurs when the ends of our bones deteriorate due to excessive stress on the joint surfaces, is one of the five leading causes of disability in Singapore. While the prospect can sound quite daunting, the reality is, knee osteoarthritis is a condition that we can take an active role in managing.
Contrary to the popular belief that the only way to deal with the pain is to avoid activity and to let the knee to rest as much as possible, in reality, it is through movement that we can actually help to alleviate pain, improve mobility and arrest the progression of the condition. There are a number of non-surgical treatment modalities today which when carefully employed as part of your customised treatment plan by your doctor can help you accomplish just that.
A comprehensive non-surgical treatment plan may include a combination of pain management (pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies), biomechanical interventions such as knee braces and physical therapy, of which strengthening exercises and stretches play an important role. The effective treatment of knee osteoarthritis depends not only on a proper diagnosis and applying the right treatment at the right time, but also on the patient’s cooperation in adhering to the treatment plan, which often includes lifestyle adjustments and being disciplined in doing strengthening exercises and stretches at home as advised.
Exercise, when done appropriately can help you regain function of your knees. Not only does it restore range of motion and flexibility, it also strengthens the muscles around your knees to provide more stability to the knees. This is particularly important with our modern and sedentary lifestyles, as the knee joints and muscles surrounding the knees are not as strong as they should be, thereby increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.
The key to recovery from knee osteoarthritis is to maintain a balance between appropriate physical activity and rest. Here at Inliven, we customize exercises to each patient based on their condition and needs. It is always important to check with your doctor on the exercises you should or should not be doing based on your condition. Below are some simple stretches and strengthening exercises you can do at home to help tone the muscles around your knees and reduce pain. They only take 10-15 minutes to complete.
5 Simple Stretches and Strengthening Exercises for Knee Osteoarthritis
Studies have shown that people with knee osteoarthritis who continue to do appropriate physiotherapy and strengthening exercises regularly have experienced sustained improvement and reduction in knee pain.
Different exercises target different muscle groups and the pace of the treatment programme should be based on your progress. It is thus important to work closely with your doctor to ensure you are doing the prescribed exercises the right way, and at the right frequency that is appropriate to your condition.
While living with knee osteoarthritis may initially seem all doom and gloom, it need not be the case. There is effective treatment available and steps you can take to arrest the progression of the condition and eventually return to an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Contributor
Dr Christopher Goh MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Glasgow), MMED (Orthopaedic Surgery) is the Resident Doctor of Inliven Center for Osteoarthritis Solutions, which provides non-surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis. He has a keen focus on fitness and age-related orthopedic and sports related injuries and rehabilitation
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