Introduction

One thing that old people like to complain about is their knees. Research shows that knee pain is quite common in people over the age of 65. Pain in knees become inevitable as you grow older but that doesn’t mean that you cannot delay it or even prevent it. Most doctors agree that certain activities and life-style changes can certainly improve your knees and avoid the need for surgery.

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The Aging Knee

All-day your knees are resisting gravity and absorbing a huge amount of pressure with every step. They have to carry around your weight all day so wear and tear in the joints is bound to happen. As time passes by,more wear and tear happens and you end up with pain, stiffness or swelling.

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Conditions That Have an Effect on Knees

It’s not just time that's affecting your knees. Other factors that play a part in knee pain include:

  • Osteoarthritis. It is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands,knees, hips and spine. Experts have discovered that knee pain in old people is usually due to osteoarthritis.
  • ‍Obesity. Most people gain weight as they age. Those extra pounds are going to add more pressure to your knees. This means more wear and tear. Along with age, obesity is also a leading cause of osteoarthritis.‍
  • Change in muscles. As you grow older, your muscles are going to get smaller. Between the age of 20 and 60, they could shrink by 40 percent. Loss of muscle means loss of strength. The muscles in your hips and legs help absorb some of the pressure that your legs have to face daily. With the loss of these muscles, you are more vulnerable to knee pain.  

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Tips to Age-Proof Your Knees

All hope is not lost. We can still delay or entirely prevent knee pain. Some tips that can help you achieve this include:

  • ‍Strengthen the muscles. Enhancing the strength of your muscles will lead to stabilization in the knee joints and help reduce the daily stress that your knees face. One of the best exercises for your knees is the squat.Additionally, you should consult with a physical therapist who can evaluate your body’s needs and help you come up with a suitable program. ‍
  • Lose weight. If your BMI indicates that you’re overweight then it’s time to get on a diet, hit the gym, and lose those pounds. Not only will it remove some pressure from your knees, but your body's overall health will improve significantly as well.  ‍
  • Replace soda and energy drinks with water. The cartilage in your body is 80% made up of water. When your body is dehydrated, your body will take water from your cartilage. This will have devastating consequences for your joints. ‍
  • Calcium. Add more calcium to your diet. Milk is a rich source of calcium so you can try adding some milk products to your daily intake. It helps in making your bones stronger and getting rid of knee and other kinds of joint pain.