Knee Treatments

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Lifestyle Modifications for Knee Treatment

What are non-surgical lifestyle modifications for the Knee?

There are a number of non-surgical lifestyle modifications that your physician may prescribe to control the symptoms of arthritis.

Sometimes the best way to control the symptoms of arthritis in the knee is by losing weight. Losing weight means that you will be reducing the amount of stress on your weight-bearing joints, including the knees, hips, spine and feet. It is also a good idea to avoid activities that can aggravate the knee and opt for low-impact exercise activities.

Exercise and physical therapy

To improve the strength and flexibility of the knee, exercise and physical therapy may be prescribed. The exercise program could include stretching, riding a stationary bike and light weight training. Various aquatic activities are also effective in treating arthritis since they allow mild resistance while removing the weight-bearing stresses.

Bracing can help manage arthritis

To provide external stability to the knee a brace may be useful. Whether they are made of plastic, metal, leather or foam, braces are designed to stabilize the joint, reduce pain and inflammation and strengthen the muscles. The brace also causes the joint to realign by putting pressure on the sides of the joint. This decreases the contact between the bone surfaces and increases mobility while reducing pain.