Knee Problems After 50

A large number of people over fifty are likely to have or to get pains in the knee. It is often known as osteoarthritis. The pain can be to the side of the knee, above or below the knee or inside the knee cap.

Some facts:

• Causes can be due to being overweight. Obese people tend to increase their chances of getting osteoarthritis because the extra weight puts more pressure on the joints and / or increases inflammation.
• It is more common in women than in men and the majority of cases tend to appear after the age of fifty. Because women have wider hips and the femur comes at a slightly different angle from the hip than a man it increases the chances of knee problems in later life.
• Women’s footwear, particularly high heels can cause problems, because they alter the posture and put more load on the joints and strain on the lower back, hips and knees.
• People suffering from osteoarthritis tend to do less exercise because of the difficulty that they are experiencing. Unfortunately, this is the worse thing that they can do because this contributes to the leg muscles becoming even weaker and it is the leg muscles particularly the quadricep muscles which play a big part in supporting the knee joint.
• The quadriceps, calves, hamstrings and gluteus muscles all play a big role in holding and supporting the knee. The notion that exercise is detrimental to the knee is a misconception but unfortunately it is widely held.
• Exercise improves joint function, flexibility and strength.
• Stretching your leg muscles every day also plays a part in keeping the pain away or in reducing the pain.
• Eating a really good diet can help a great deal – broccoli has been found to help, together with brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. The sulforaphane found in broccoli and the other vegetables blocks an enzyme which damages cartilage.
• Vitamin D helps and the best source for that is the sun. A lack of vitamin D is thought to contribute towards cartilage decline. During the winter vitamin D3 and K2 are good sources.
• Bathing in Epsom Salts has been found to be beneficial.
• Omega 3 foods also help.
• Bone Broth, made at home, is considered to be good if you have arthritis. Bone Broth contains some important nutrients for bones and joints. Minerals, particles of collagen, cartilage, silicon, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are found in the broth. If you want a recipe to make bone broth then just let me know.
• Supplements such as turmeric, hyaluronic acid and astaxanthin are known to be helpful in controlling the pain and inflammation of arthritis.

Ref: Dr. Mercola