The knee is an extraordinary part of our bodies that give us a large range of motion so we can walk, run, exercise, and engage in a number of activities that are both practical and enjoyable! Because of the demand and stress we put on our knees throughout our entire lives, it is no surprise that more than 1 in 4 Americans report chronic knee pain. What is surprising, however, is that an alarming number of people are getting knee replacement surgery, often unnecessarily.
At Aspire Pain Relief Institute, we believe in an approach to pain management that starts with finding the “pain generator,” the root cause of the pain, rather than masking the symptoms with medication, or electing for serious surgery without exploring alternatives first. With that said, here are three surprising causes related to knee pain that you may have not considered.
Poor Diet
“Let food be thy medicine,” you may have heard this expression before, and it holds some very strong medical truths. Consider this: everything you eat or drink either benefits or harms your health. Some patients who have vitamin or nutritional deficiencies can report knee pain, as these nutrients help lubricate the knee as well as protect the sheaths that cover our nerves. Glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen may provide building blocks for cartilage, while Omega 3 fish oils, including those found in cod liver oil, may help to reduce joint inflammation.
Obesity
Just as important to eating well, is to maintain a healthy body weight and partake in regular physical activity. With every pound of excess body weight you carry, it translates to 4 pounds of extra weight on your knee joints. Therefore, if you are 10 pounds overweight, it adds more than 40 pounds of additional pressure to your knees! Engaging in regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, and maintaining a nutritious diet can help ward off chronic knee pain in the years to come.
Osteoarthritis
While this may be a less “surprising” cause of knee pain, it is a very significant one that impacts millions of Americans everyday. While many elect for knee replacement surgery, a risky, painful procedure, particularly for elderly patients, studies are indicating that as many as one third of knee replacements surgeries are done unnecessarily. At Aspire, we find this to be a surprising reality and want to help our patients in the Tampa Bay area suffering from knee pain to find relief without surgery.
At Aspire Pain Relief Institute, we explore our patients’ full medical history to determine an appropriate treatment for knee pain. While there is a place for surgery and medication, we believe these are last resorts for more patients. We have a wide range of minimally-invasive therapies that may help you find long-lasting relief from chronic knee pain. For more information, contact the Aspire team today!