Age-related wear-and-tear, arthritis, and injuries can cause irreversible and often excruciatingly painful knee damage. In that case, knee replacement offers a return to pain-free mobility, improving your quality of life and restoring the benefits of an active life.
Award-winning orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sumit Dewanjee at FXRX in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona, provides comprehensive services that may include total or partial knee replacement.
But he may also recommend cartilage regeneration, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for arthritis, and other innovative knee treatments that can reduce pain and increase mobility without joint replacement.
Dr. Dewanjee works with teens and adults to help prevent knee damage whenever possible. Try these five tips to keep your knees healthy.
If you’ve developed severe or persistent knee pain, swelling, or instability, our FXRX team recommends scheduling a visit sooner rather than later.
Knees undergoing degenerative changes and other potentially limiting damage provide plenty of subtle symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.
For instance, knee stiffness first thing in the morning or after you’ve been resting for a while is an early warning sign of osteoarthritis. Those sharp twinges you sometimes feel when running could indicate a ligament problem or overuse injury.
Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent worsening knee damage. An evaluation also allows Dr. Dewanjee to recommend training or exercise routine changes that protect your knees as you age.
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to protect your knees. Excess body weight puts additional stress on your knees, increasing wear-and-tear on the cartilage and other joint structures.
Your knees endure 4 pounds of pressure for every pound of body weight. Staying within a healthy weight range can reduce strain on your knees and slow the progression of joint damage.
Strong muscles around the knees act as stabilizers and shock absorbers, reducing stress on the joint. Focus on exercises that strengthen your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
Activities like cycling, swimming, and leg-strengthening exercises such as squats and lunges can help build muscle strength and support knee joints.
Dr. Dewanjee also recommends maintaining flexibility and mobility by incorporating stretching exercises into your routine. Regularly stretching your hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors can help alleviate tension around the knees and promote a full range of motion.
Staying active is crucial for joint health, but choosing suitable activities is just as essential. High-impact exercises like running and jumping can increase the risk of knee injuries and accelerate joint wear.
If your joints are healthy, give them a break every few days by replacing high-impact workouts with low-impact routines like swimming, walking, or cycling. These activities are easier on your knees while providing cardiovascular benefits and maintaining joint flexibility.
Even young athletes benefit from this type of training, which also protects other weight-bearing joints like your back, hips, and ankles.
But if your evaluation or symptoms indicate degenerative changes or other knee joint damage, Dr. Dewanjee may recommend avoiding high-impact activities altogether.
The shoes you wear can affect your knee health. Supportive footwear helps to distribute your body weight evenly and reduces the strain on your joints.
Look for shoes with good arch support, cushioning, and a proper fit. If you engage in sports or activities that require specific types of shoes, such as running or hiking, make sure they are designed to minimize the impact on your knees.
Dr. Dewanjee may also recommend customized orthopedic bracing or wraps to support your joints during sports or workout routines.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Dewanjee at FXRX today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.
