ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis \u2014 affecting about 32.5 million Americans. It happens when cartilage that cushions bone wears out over time. It often affects the knees, causing pain and stiffness. But there are some ways to ease the discomfort. <\/p>\n
Knee arthritis can make every step a struggle. And it can sideline anyone, not just the elderly. <\/p>\n
\u201cPatients are getting younger because we\u2019re simply more active. We\u2019re beating up our joints more so we\u2019re getting earlier arthritis,\u201d said Richard Berger, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. <\/p>\n
Repetitive stress, your genes, and carrying around extra weight can all contribute to the condition. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs the population has gotten a little heavier, we\u2019re seeing more and more knee arthritis,\u201d explained Dr. Berger. <\/p>\n
Luckily, there are some ways to ease the pain and discomfort. In one large review of nearly 10,000 patients, researchers looked at 12 different non-drug therapies. They found that knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise were the most effective for knee osteoarthritis. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow we have people who want to be active, don\u2019t want to take medications, and now have early arthritis,\u201d said Dr. Berger. <\/p>\n
Another review of 200 studies showed that aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming offer the best pain relief and mobility improvement. <\/p>\n
And Korean researchers found that low-dose radiation therapy eased knee pain and improved movement in people with mild to moderate arthritis. And if these less invasive approaches don\u2019t work, surgery is a tried-and-true option. <\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s people want to do more things. They don\u2019t want to let their pain and disability slow them down,\u201d said Dr. Berger. <\/p>\n
Surgery could include a simple procedure like cleaning out the joints or a more complex one like replacing the knee with artificial implant. Some other options for knee pain include massage, acupuncture, hot or cold therapy, and stretching. It\u2019s also a good idea to quit smoking. The toxins in cigarette smoke can damage connective tissues and worsen joint problems. <\/p>\n
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor.<\/p>\n