In the final part in my series on common complaints in the active retired I'm focusing on one of the most common musculoskeletal problems affecting people as they age- osteoarthritis of the knees.
OA Knees
Our knees serve us tremendously well through our lives but not surprisingly by early retirement there may be signs of early wear and tear. Much of this is quite normal age-related change but it can be associated with pain, swelling, muscle weakness and difficulty performing everyday tasks such as gardening, walking and retired sports.
Research evidence is clear that conservative treatment can be very effective in improving function and reducing symptoms The simple act of strengthening the quadriceps or thigh muscles requires some discipline in doing exercises but stronger thigh muscles are linked to significantly less symptoms and significantly greater ability to perform daily tasks. Acupuncture can be a good adjunct to rehabilitation.
There is always the choice of a new knee joint but for many this is something to save as a last option, hopefully for many years to come. OA knees shouldn’t be a reason to stop people enjoying sports even as demanding as badminton, well into their sixties. Is it time to really focus on working on yours?
OA Knees
Our knees serve us tremendously well through our lives but not surprisingly by early retirement there may be signs of early wear and tear. Much of this is quite normal age-related change but it can be associated with pain, swelling, muscle weakness and difficulty performing everyday tasks such as gardening, walking and retired sports.
Research evidence is clear that conservative treatment can be very effective in improving function and reducing symptoms The simple act of strengthening the quadriceps or thigh muscles requires some discipline in doing exercises but stronger thigh muscles are linked to significantly less symptoms and significantly greater ability to perform daily tasks. Acupuncture can be a good adjunct to rehabilitation.
There is always the choice of a new knee joint but for many this is something to save as a last option, hopefully for many years to come. OA knees shouldn’t be a reason to stop people enjoying sports even as demanding as badminton, well into their sixties. Is it time to really focus on working on yours?
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