Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the United States. According to the Clinics In Geriatric Medicine, 10% of men and 13% of women in the U.S. over the age of 60 suffer from some form of osteoarthritis. There may be a number of reasons someone may develop arthritis, including age, traumatic injury or a preexisting condition. The most commonly affected areas of the body, regardless of the cause, are the hands, lower back, and neck, as well as weight-bearing areas such as the hips, feet and knees. Osteoarthritis causes inflammation, reduced mobility and muscle weakness in the affected joints, which can make everyday tasks painful and more difficult to manage.
Who is at risk of developing knee osteoarthritis?
- Adults 50 years of age or older — Osteoarthritis develops gradually, as the cartilage between our joints grows thinner as we grow older. As the cartilage wears away, the bones in the knee begin to rub against one another, causing painful bone spurs.
- Obese adults — Obesity has been shown to increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints, such as the knee. Clinical trials have suggested that modest weight loss in people with higher body weights can reduce the chances of developing osteoarthritis by almost 50%.
- Adults who have past knee injuries — This can include athletes, workers who have suffered a fall, or those who have experienced a car accident. Traumatic injury to the knee can significantly increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. In fact, 10% of all osteoarthritis cases are attributed to a traumatic injury in the past.
How can physical therapy help?
Managing the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis can be difficult. But physical therapy from a licensed specialist could make life with osteoarthritis much more manageable. Physical therapy is designed to relieve the pain from knee osteoarthritis through therapeutic exercise, as well as to regain mobility and increase strength. Other treatments include:
- Aquatic therapy.
- Joint mobilization.
- At-home hot and cold therapy.
With a free consultation from one of our Border Therapy Services clinics, one of our many licensed specialists can create a therapy plan perfectly tailored to your needs.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.