Exercising reduces the risk of knee osteoarthritis · Health and Science

Where does this news come from?

“Osteoarthritis is the number one overall disease,” says Peter Verdonk, MD, knee surgeon and author of the book. Kenny and company, In an interview with The newspaper On March 29, 2024 (1). Osteoarthritis mainly affects the knees, because the knee is the most complex joint in the body.

To prevent osteoarthritis of the knee, it is important to: Enough exercise. Cycling, swimming and even running are good sports to keep your knees healthy. In this way, Verdonk clears up the misconception that exercise can lead to faster wear and tear on the knees and arthritis. He stresses that not every knee is made to do anything. a Therefore, running a marathon is not for everyone Put away.

source

(1) Deblaere J. This is the best way to take care of your knees: “There is a good way to prevent osteoporosis.” The newspaper. March 29, 2024.

How should you interpret this news?

What is osteoporosis?

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joint is damaged by: He wears Or as a result of a infection (Sports injury or accident). That causes Pain and restriction of movementSuch as morning stiffness (2). The degree of wear does not determine the pain you experience. A person with little wear and tear may have many complaints, while a person with a lot of wear and tear may have few complaints (3).

on 80% of people He suffers from osteoarthritis. In half of the cases, it is knee osteoarthritis, because the knee is the most complex joint in our body (1).

How can you prevent osteoporosis?

You cannot cure osteoporosis. You can’t completely prevent it, but you can Slow down the decline by Weight loss (If you are overweight) as well To move (2).

The idea that joints wear out during movement is a misconception. On the contrary, exercise stimulates cartilage to absorb nutrients like a sponge. Thus, movement helps supply the cartilage with nutrients. By exercising, you can also train the muscles surrounding your knee joint, providing strength and stability. This helps prevent injuries (4).

What sport is best for knee arthritis?

Moderate exerciseRegardless of the type of sport, it is good against knee arthritis (6). Excellent examples include swimming, cycling, walking, running, and crossfit exercises (3, 5).

Contrary to popular belief, it does Recreational walking It also reduces the incidence of knee osteoarthritis (5, 7).

Exercising too often or too intensely can increase your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, especially in sports that often cause knee injuries, such as football or competitive sports (2, 6, 7).

Not every knee is made to do anything. people with overweight Or with Small knees So you should exercise Build more carefully. some advices:

• It is best to swim or ride a bike first and then start walking slowly.
• At first, leave enough time (2 to 3 days) between exercises.
• It’s better to exercise your knees a little each day than to exercise vigorously intermittently (1, 3, 6, 7).

Can I exercise with knee osteoarthritis?

If you have knee osteoarthritis, exercise can still help, even if it’s painful. If you have pain, you can take a pain reliever (1, 4). If the joint is inflamed, stop exercising until the inflammation passes (4). Because osteoarthritis progresses slowly, at some point you will be able to exercise less intensely and for longer periods (2).

Conclusion

Exercise can partially prevent knee osteoarthritis. It ensures that your cartilage is well nourished and protects your knees from injuries. Regular recreational exercise, regardless of the type of sport, is good, as long as you don’t do it too often or too intensely. Build up your exercise gradually, preferably exercising a little each day rather than putting in a lot of effort intermittently. Also keep moving if you have knee osteoarthritis to slow its progression.

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