Common Complaint of Knee Problems in Older Women

It has been observed quite often that older people suffer more from knee pain and yet if you are one of them, you need not worry. Some changes in your lifestyle can go a long way in reducing your knee pain.

 

Moreover, many studies have proved that middle-aged and older women complain more of knee pain than their younger counterparts. A study recently conducted came out with a finding that more than two-thirds of women who are aged fifty and older have experienced some sort of a knee pain, either intermittent, chronic or even once.

The finding also claimed women who have higher BMI are more likely to experience some sort of a knee pain mentioned above due to a knee injury incurred before or because they are suffering from osteoarthritis. Some factors also claim that knee pain is not only because of growing older. There are certain other reasons that can also aggravate one's knee pain along with the age factor.

Osteoarthritis-A study came out with the conclusion that approximately fourteen percent of the people in the US who have crossed 24 years suffer from osteoarthritis. It is a form of arthritis where the cartilage protecting your knees' bones start breaking down. This can make the affected person more susceptible to knee related pains. Several experts opine that many older women suffer from knee pain due to osteoarthritis. 

Changes in muscle composition-As women cross their twenties and till the time they are in their sixties, the size human muscles start shrinking by about forty percent. Consequently, one may experience lose of strength. The legs and hips muscles may exert force on legs while indulging in activities like walking. With increasing age, the loss in muscular support makes people more prone to knee pain.

Overweight or obesity-It is usual for many people to gain more weight as they start aging. With all these extra pounds’ or kgs, there is more pressure on knees while walking. As a result the knees go through additional wear and tear for the body's extra weight. So growing age coupled by obesity is one of the key cause that aggravates the perils associated with getting affected by osteoarthritis.

How to be healthy and fit by countering knee in advancing age

Though you may have reached an age when other women in your age group are already facing knee related problems, studies have proven that it is still possible to stay away from knee pain when some of these steps are taken:

Lead a more active life by exercising more

There have been concrete proofs that when you get actively involved in walking or strength training, your knee osteoarthritis can be avoided. One of the recent studies found out exercise can bring down knee pain and enabled the respondents to have freer movements. Exercises also offered benefits similar to that of anti inflammatory and non-steroid drugs.

Shed those extra pounds

A study showed that when overweight respondents lost only 5 percent of body weight, showed improvement in mobility. When you make some changes in your habits, you can actually shed those additional pounds.

If you would like to learn more about our joint pain relief services, contact the Phoenix Family Medical Clinic closest to you!

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