A misconception that many people have is that joint injuries can only happen to athletes. While sports injuries can lead to joint problems, good joint health is important for everyone. The fact is, more than 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain according to recent market research, and this includes people of all ages and with a myriad of occupations. If you feel pain in your joints, such as your knees, hips, and ankles, it’s best to see a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or general orthopedics as soon as possible so you can determine the cause of your pain and see if there are ways to remedy it. If you wait and your pain gets worse, you may cause more damage and have to undergo more invasive treatments such as knee surgery or hip surgery. Fortunately there are some steps you can take to decrease the pressure on your joints and prevent pain and injury.
One way you can keep your joints healthy is maintaining a healthy weight. Extra weight puts extra pressure on joints which can cause pain or injury. Your knees and ankles already endure a lot of pressure by design. In fact, when we climb stairs or walk on steep inclines, we carry approximately four to six times our body weight across the ankle joint. With an appropriate diet and an exercise routine, you can help keep extra pounds off and lessen the pressure on your joints.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, exercise is another great way to prevent joint injuries which can lead to costly and painful orthopedic surgery. Exercising strengthens the muscles that surround your joints. When your muscles are strong, they are able to absorb some of the shock on your body caused by activities such as running and playing sports. A doctor or physical therapist can prescribe certain exercises for you based on where in your body you feel pain It is important to play it safe while exercising on your feet, however, to prevent sprains and strains. Sprains and strains of the ankle account for about 60% of all foot and ankle injuries, as reported by the U.S. population older than 17. For this reason, it is imperative that you stretch, warm up before a workout, and cool down when you’re done.
Another way to keep joints healthy and injury-free is maintaining healthy bones. Healthy bones and healthy joints go hand in hand, so its important to incorporate habits that keep bones healthy and strong in your daily life. Make sure that you get plenty of calcium and vitamin D and keep up with your exercise routine to keep your bones from weakening or worse, from developing osteoporosis. Weak bones are more susceptible to fractures which can be a cause for hip surgery, knee surgery or other serious operations.
Remember, if you feel pain in your joints, surgery isn’t always your only option. Talk to your doctor about ways you can alleviate pain and prevent further joint damage without having to undergo ankle, knee or hip surgery.
