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The knee is a complex joint made up of different structures – bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles. They all work together to maintain the knee’s normal function and provide stability to the knee during movement. As we age, the muscles get weaker and the ligaments get looser, causing our knees to become less stable. Weakened tendons and muscles increase our chances of tweaking, spraining, or otherwise injuring our knees.
Knee pain is a common condition affecting individuals of different age groups. It not only affects movement, but also impacts your quality of life. In addition to natural aging of the knee joints, other factors can also make you more prone to pain. Osteoarthritis, trauma, increased body weight, and inadequate muscle strength and flexibility can all cause or contribute to knee issues.
The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular surface that allows pain-free movement in the joint. When the articular cartilage wears out, the bone ends rub on one another and cause pain. This is known as arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis that occurs with aging and use.
A previous injury or repetitive stress to the knee can also cause dull, acute, or chronic pain. If left untreated, the injury eventually can progress to osteoarthritis.
Putting additional stress on the knee joints due to excess body weight (obesity) can put you at increased risk for knee pain as well. Obesity not only worsens or accelerates joint deterioration but also increases your risk of osteoarthritis.
In the same manner, inflexible and weak muscles can add undue stress to the knee joints. Without adequate muscle strength and flexibility to safely support your complete range of motion, your knees are at enhanced risk of trauma or injury.
Having a well-functioning healthy knee is essential for our mobility and ability to participate in various activities. This can be achieved by adopting the following healthy lifestyle habits that can help maintain aging knees in a good condition.
