In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of my Health Blog articles are inspired by my own life. My interest in diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease come from years as a caretaker for my grandmother, who suffers from both (and other health issues). My brother and I struggled with asthma and allergies throughout our elementary school and high school years. When I twisted my ankle over the summer, I became fascinated with strains, sprains, and fractures.
Lately my body has offered me another topic to write on: knee pain. I get periodic knee pain — partly, I think, because I tend to throw one foot out when I walk (rather than keep it in line with my body). It could be the change of seasons making the knee pain flair up, or it could just be that I’m on my feet a lot lately between running around at the cats-only boarding facility and running around after my dogs Moose and Lally.
According to orthopedic experts, excess weight is a huge contributor to knee pain. Osteoarthritis (which often attacks the knees) is caused by wear and tear. The more weight you carry, the more strain on your joints. And I am overweight. But I have also lost twelve pounds since I started work at the boarding facility last December. Slowly but surely, the weight is coming off. Being more active has really paid off!
Some knee pain is considered normal — you can expect some discomfort if you’ve recently changed your exercise levels, for example. Moving to a more strenuous routine can leave you with a twinge in your knees (or other joints).
Beware of:
- Pain that lasts for more than twenty-four hours
- Swelling
- Worn-out shoes
- Equipment that doesn’t fit you correctly
The first two can be signs that your knee pain isn’t “normal” — they may point to an injury or arthritis. The last two can contribute to continuing knee pain!