1. Grow With the Flow
The most common place for osteoarthritis to hit is the knee. It is one of most used joints in the body and millions of aging baby boomers can attest to the early onset as they climb stairs and try to compete in sports they've competing in their whole life. Arthritis is a natural condition that comes with aging. While there are certain things that ease the pain and even help to put off the onset of knee arthritis, it is one of the payoffs you get to receive with the joys of getting old.
2. Keep it Moving
While it's a lifetime of use that brings on the pain of knee arthritis, inactivity is one of the culprits that will add to the problem. Regular exercise is important to keep the joints from seizing up. Cut back on the severity of the pounding you give your knees, but don't stop moving. Walking, light jogging, climbing stairs and cross training activities such as bike riding and elliptical trainers are great ways to stave off the often debilitating effect of arthritis in the knees.
3. Give it a Rest
Usually arthritis in the knees comes on gradually. It may develop as the result of an injury or it can be inherited from our parents. Either way, the pain typically increases over time. As the pain increases, you should listen and give your knees more down time. Take the pressure off in balance with regular exercise. Sometimes a cane or other support device, such as a leg wrap can help to ease the pressure on the joints as they begin to rub bone on bone more.
4. Be Cool
A good liniment can be a big relief to an aching knee. An ointment that provides both hot and icy treatment is sometimes just what the joint needs. Ice packs can numb the pain, while a heating pad can loosen up tight muscles that sometimes twinge when the underlying joints are damaged. Since the joints are often inflamed from the bone rubbing arthritis that is developing, over the counter medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen can ease the pain.
5. Do the Deed
When the pockets are totally dry and the pain of knee arthritis keeps you immobile, consider knee replacement surgery. Active adults today enjoy years of full, active lives after getting new knees. Some even have the operation multiple times in their old age. To best reap the rewards of knee replacement surgery, you'll want to keep your weight down and avoid smoking. Baby boomers demand medical procedures that will keep them active long after their predecessors would have been grounded. Knee replacement surgery has become very commonplace; it is performed with great success on a regular basis by many orthopedic surgeons.
