Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal problem in Singapore. Most of the time, it is assumed that knee problems come with age. While knee issues are certainly an inevitable part of aging, it can occur due to other reasons such as repetitive strain, sports injury, ruptured ligament, torn cartilage and medical conditions such as arthritis, gout and infections. Depending on the underlying condition, there are various treatments that could be treated via surgical or non-surgical measures.
Now let's dive into some common myths and facts associated with knee-related problems and debunk whether they are facts or myths!
MYTH:
Refrain from physical activity because it aggravates your knee-pain
FACT: If you ever got bought into this myth, you’re not to be blamed. It subconsciously hits our mind that we should always refrain from straining when there's pain in our body.
Truth is, an active lifestyle with plenty of exercise is the best for everyone, especially those experiencing knee problems. When people with knee problems do not exercise regularly, they are at risk of not getting enough movement which may cause greater joint pain overtime. Physical activities are key to manage pain and reduce stiffness in the knee.
Participate in activities that do not require repeated impact on your knees such as swimming, riding on a stationary bike, or even yoga.
Have you heard of your friends or family attending multiple physical therapy sessions to relieve their knee pain? It is indeed the best non-surgical treatment to help to protect and support the knee in relieving pain over the long run.
👉🏻Get a free consultation with The Orthopaedic and Pain Practice professionals for your knee-related treatments now
MYTH:
Steroid injections are the best fix for knee problems
FACT: Injections seem to be the fastest pain relief, doesn’t it? As great as it sounds, it’s safe to say that this myth is a misconception. Steroid injections are provided as a short term relief, especially for patients with an acute flare-up of knee arthritis. It is not recommended to use steroids too frequently as it can cause accelerated risks for infections and harmful side-effects that could weaken the tissues.
MYTH:
Running increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
FACT: Studies have shown that recreational runners have lower rates of developing knee osteoarthritis than professional and elite runners. Proper running techniques help decrease the impact force on knees such as taking shorter and faster steps. It increases the step rate by 5-10% , reducing the load on the joints thus alleviating knee pain.
It’s never too young to consult an Orthopedic specialist for your knee-related problems. Likewise, having knee problems doesn’t mean you’re aging!
Hope you learnt a thing or two about knee problems. Share these facts with your friends and family, and follow us on Instagram for more interesting tips!
