Move that knee

MOVEMENT is life, and our joints are made to facilitate this. Joints can become stiff if not moved adequately and the knee joint is no exception. It is critical to remember that the knee joint — the largest weight-bearing joint in the body — is most commonly affected in arthritis.
    Almost 50 per cent of individuals afflicted with osteoarthritis, are over 65 years of age. Nearly 25 per cent of them need surgery. Nearly half consider themselves as "being in bad health". So pretty much anything you can do to delay the onset of the disease, is good. And this means working on strengthening the ligaments and muscles so that the joint is kept mobile.
PREVENTION
Make exercise a routine. Regular walks and exercises not only improve mobility, but also strengthen muscles around the knee joint.
    Keep mobile. Movement in the knee joint stimulates the joint lining to produce adequate lubrication so that there is less friction within the joint.
Watch those aches and pains. Some forms of arthritis affect the young. Early detection helps delay the progression. A high-calcium diet is known to improve the quality of bone. Include green leafy vegetables, milk, white of egg and fish.
TREATMENT
There are numerous treatments available to those suffering from arthritis. These include physiotherapy, aromatherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and regulation of diet. Medical treatment involves prescription of drugs and other non-invasive therapies. Surgical solutions can take many forms, starting from less invasive joint injections to a total joint replacement. Surgery though must be reserved for only those whose quality of life has deteriorated by the disease significantly. If it could mean a major difference between leading a normal life or being wheelchair bound, you should consider it. The ultimate goal of any treatment is pain free movement.
(Inputs from Dr Vijay D Shetty, full time consultant
orthopaedic surgeon and adult hip and knee specialist,
Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai)