Your knees are vitally important for your overall health and wellness. You depend on them to operate effectively each day.
Regrettably, knees are susceptible to harm and wear-and-tear. The knee joint is a complicated structure and endures significant stress throughout your life. Moreover, it’s not just athletes or sports enthusiasts who are prone to knee issues. It affects everyone.
In this article, we explore several strategies you can implement to evade long-lasting knee damage.
Do Not Disregard Knee Discomfort
If you experience knee discomfort, do not overlook it. It typically indicates an underlying issue.
Generally, if knee pain limits your mobility, consulting a specialized physiotherapist is advisable. A minor ache that doesn’t impede your activities like running or jumping might resolve on its own. However, any other discomfort should be addressed by a professional.
Ignoring knee pain can worsen over time, so it’s vital to address it promptly.
Avoid Excessive Weight Gain
Carrying excess weight is directly linked to exacerbating knee pain. Heavier individuals put added strain on their knee joints, leading to potential cartilage deterioration over time.
Interestingly, even a slight weight increase can have negative effects. Adding just a few pounds could instigate knee damage.
Additionally, for individuals with arthritis, excess weight can intensify symptoms. Therefore, proper diet and exercise are crucial in preventing severe and lasting knee issues.
Ensure to engage in gentle exercises if you already experience knee pain. Refrain from pushing yourself too hard or attempting vigorous activities.
Strengthen Muscles Surrounding The Knees
The knees do not work in isolation. They depend on the surrounding muscles for support and stability. Muscles in the thighs, hips, and pelvis play a crucial role in stabilizing the knee joint and absorbing pressure.
Some individuals may benefit from strengthening other muscle groups like obliques and hamstrings. These muscles enhance flexibility and provide additional strength to the knee joint, preventing potential failures under pressure.
Progress Gradually
When initiating a new exercise routine, it’s essential to avoid overexertion. Take it slow and resist the urge to engage in intense workouts daily, as your body may not handle it.
Avoid sudden spikes in exercise intensity; instead, incrementally increase the difficulty. Rapid progress can lead to painful conditions like tendonitis due to repetitive strain.
Reprogram Your Muscle Memory
Finally, consider retraining your muscle memory to ensure safer movement patterns, especially during activities like jumping and landing that apply minimum stress to your ACL joint.
With the guidance of a physiotherapist, you can gradually adjust your technique to minimize strain on your knees and promote proper landing mechanics over time.
