How Do I Choose the Best Knee Exercises?

Knee joint degenerative arthritis, also known as knee joint hypertrophic arthritis, is more common in the elderly and is also known as senile arthritis. Senile degeneration is the main cause of knee joint degenerative arthritis.

Knee degenerative arthritis

Knee joint degenerative arthritis, also known as knee joint hypertrophic arthritis, is more common in the elderly and is also known as senile arthritis. Senile degeneration is the main cause of knee joint degenerative arthritis.

After middle-aged and elderly, all tissues and organs will undergo degenerative changes; bone and joint tissues are no exception. Degenerative changes occur especially in load-bearing joints and active joints.

Chinese name

Knee degenerative arthritis

Also known as

Knee hypertrophic arthritis

Symptom

Knee pain

Treatment

Joint motion

Excessive weight bearing or excessive use of certain joints can promote the occurrence of degenerative changes. In addition, factors such as intra-articular fractures, diabetes, and chronic inappropriate use of adrenal corticosteroids can promote the formation of degenerative changes and accelerate the development of existing knee joint degenerative arthritis.

Knee joint degenerative arthritis is more common in knee joints with larger weight. Almost all cases have varying degrees of pain, which slowly progress with the course of the disease. The main manifestation is that the pain at the beginning of the knee joint is obvious, and the pain is relieved after a little movement. However, when the weight bearing and the knee joint are too much, the pain will increase, which is the characteristic of osteoarthropathy. Sometimes the pain can be radioactive, such as hip pain can radiate to the inside of the thigh, near the knee joint. Early joint stiffness can be seen. For example, when the knee joint is in a certain position for a long period of time, the conscious movement is unfavorable, and the starting is difficult. Later, joint instability gradually appears, the range of flexion and extension of the joint is reduced, and the walking ability is reduced, especially when walking up and down, squatting, running The decline in jumping ability is more obvious. Some patients with advanced knee joint disease may also have some lower limb deformities. Knee varus is the most common, which is commonly known as "cramped legs."

Knee pain is the main symptom of degenerative arthritis of the knee. It is manifested as dull pain. The pain is most obvious in the morning or after the joint is in a certain position for a long time. It can be relieved with a little activity. However, when there is too much activity, the pain is aggravated by climate change due to friction and pain in the knee joint. The patient felt the knee joint inflexible and became more noticeable after rest. The knee joint appears stiff, and the knee joint can emit a rough friction sound when it is active. These symptoms can be exacerbated as the pathological changes increase. In addition to pain, swelling, exudation, muscle atrophy, and even joint deformities are limited in local areas, and movement is limited.

For surgical treatment of degenerative arthritis of the knee, see orthopaedic surgery.

1. Rest the affected joints to reduce stress and shear, so that synovial inflammation disappears. Mostly used in cases of severe joint osteoarthritis symptoms and exacerbations. During the acute exacerbation of individual joints, it is best to rest the affected joint on the bed to relax the joint capsule and ligaments, thereby reducing the pressure on the joint surface.

2. Joint movements In order to prevent joint capsule contractures, the joints are moved several times a day in the full range of motion. Most strenuous exercise will result in the possibility of significant compression of the articular surface and must be avoided.

3. Can be supported by crutches or people to avoid the weight of affected joints.

4. Can use the opposite side of the tiring joint to reduce the gravity to reduce the vertical load of the heavy-duty joint. Patients with advanced osteoarthritis or bilateral joint disease need bilateral canes, crutches or support, and the patient should be taught the correct gait.

5. Acute inflammatory phase, especially using traction on heavy joints to prevent articular surface adhesion and joint capsule contracture, until the acute inflammation subsides.

6. Damp heat therapy after physiotherapy massage and functional exercise (active and passive exercise). Avoid vigorous recovery of lost joint motion. Using hot water or paraffin for painful Heberden's nodules can be helpful. Although it is necessary to reduce joint stress, active exercise (isometricexercises) is better than passive exercise (isotonicexercises) for improving muscle strength.

7. Maintain good mechanical posture to avoid adverse posture mechanical joints, use insoles and perform staged functional exercises for the whole joint.

General treatment

Promote disease prevention knowledge and protect joints: First, let patients have an understanding of the disease, physical exercise must be carried out step by step, prevent joints from excessive movement and weight bearing, and avoid mechanical damage to joints. In severe cases, it should be braked or fixed with plaster to prevent deformity. Reduce weight and use handles and canes to reduce the load on affected joints. Those related to the profession should change jobs. Exercise about muscle groups can maintain and improve joint activity to enhance joint stability.

Physical therapy: Hyperthermia, hydrotherapy, infrared, ultrashort wave, electrical stimulation, etc. can enhance local blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and reduce pain and other symptoms. Traction therapy has a better effect on patients with cervical spondylotic nerve root type. It can relax muscles, relieve pain, and prevent adhesion of adjacent tissues to nerve roots, but it must be performed under the guidance of a specialist.

(3) Tuina and traditional Chinese medicine: Tuina and acupuncture treatment in Chinese medicine have obvious effects in reducing arthritis symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine patch can activate blood and relieve pain, and sometimes has good effects

Knee joint degenerative arthritis is a common joint disease. In China, patients with degenerative arthritis often only pay attention to medication to relieve pain, and ignore the important role of daily rehabilitation of patients' joints in the treatment of osteoarthritis:

1. Do more physical massage; pay attention to protect the damaged joints during exercise.

Second, the vast majority of degenerative arthritis occurs in the knee joint. In daily life, don't stay in one position for a long time, and don't blindly do exercises such as repeatedly flexing and stretching the knee joint, rubbing the cheekbones, and shaking the knee joint. In addition, special attention must be paid to avoid mechanical damage to the joints, and to minimize the weight and wear of the joints. For example, patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee and ankle joints should try to avoid going up and down stairs, squatting, standing, kneeling for a long time , Mountain climbing, and trekking, such as the more severe injuries to the joints, especially when joint swelling should be avoided. In order to achieve the purpose of physical exercise, patients can choose to swim, ride a bicycle, do gymnastics and other joints with lighter joints. They can also use handles, canes, knee pads, walkers, wedge-shaped insoles or other auxiliary facilities to assist joint movements.

Third, wear shoes also pay attention to; do some appropriate physical exercise: usually wear appropriate shoes, in fact, wear flat shoes, is not the best choice. Because when walking in flat shoes, the weight will be excessively pressed on the heel, and the walking time is long. The uploaded momentum may cause people to have pain and discomfort in the heel, ankle, knee, hip, waist and other parts. Degenerative arthritis can be manifested by adverse joint effects. Therefore, it is best to wear shoes with soft soles and elastic soles, such as leisure shoes with wedge heels. This can reduce the impact of gravity on joints and reduce joint wear.