What is osteoarthritis?
OA is a degenerative condition that tends to progressively worsen over time. You can also exacerbate it through excess weight lack of exercise. Other factors contributing to the condition include injury (especially if it's repetitive or severe), age, and genetics.
Does knee osteoarthritis pain come and go?
Among the range of symptoms caused by OA in the knee, pain is often the one that has the most adverse effect on someone’s life. Because OA is a progressive condition, the pain can come and go in the early and mid stages of the condition.
While pain can sometimes appear without any exterior cause, there are certain situations that exacerbate the pain caused by OA, including cold and wet weather, going up and down stairs, climbing steep inclines, and sitting still for extended periods of time.
In more severe stages of the condition, the pain is often constant, so taking care of your knees now is vital to prevent it from getting worse. Here are a few easy tips for taking care of your knee to help slow the progression of OA and keep them in shape longer.
How to manage knee osteoarthritis pain
Strengthen the legs
By focusing on strengthening the muscles around your knee joint, you can take the pressure off the bones themselves and minimise irritation caused by muscle weakness.
The best exercises are ones that target the quads, hamstrings and glutes among other leg muscles. Squats, chair dips, wall-sits and step exercises are all great ways to support the joint.
Eating an arthritis-friendly diet
Some studies indicate that a Mediterranean diet can help relieve inflammation associated with the condition. Research also shows that vitamins D and K can improve cartilage health and muscle strength.
Hence, you should try to eat more:
- Fish
- Eggs
- Leafy greens
- Yoghurt
- Orange juice
Bracing and protection
By wearing compression garments like the GenuTrain A3, you can slow the progression of OA in its early stages.
For those with advanced OA, wearing an unloading knee support is a great way to relieve the pain in the knees and allow for regular movement. Braces like the GenuTrain OA and SecuTec OA have special offloading mechanisms that can take the pressure off the degenerating part of your knee.
