Posted by Dr Manu Bora

In old age, joint and knee pain are rather prevalent these days, thanks to our highly active society and ever-increasing workloads. Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases, with various causes and treatments. If the pain becomes unbearable, a specialized orthopaedic doctor should be consulted as soon as possible before the situation worsens. Here is some helpful information so that you can fully comprehend this situation.

Knee Pain in the Elderly: Basic Treatment Options:

Now let's look at some essential therapies for knee discomfort in the elderly. You can get some relief with their assistance.

Most doctors prescribe ice the knee for 20-30 minutes two to three times a day. Using an ice bag regularly can help you avoid future knee discomfort as you get older.

Physical Exercises

• According to some research, you should exercise for 2 to 3 hours every day, focusing on workouts that strengthen your upper thighs. As one of the most common causes of knee discomfort, exercising every day might help postpone the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) and improve the knee joints.
• Physical activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, tai chi, and yoga significantly improve cartilage tissue health. Even if a person does not have osteoarthritis, improving how the body supports the joints is essential.

Support and Posture

To reduce knee strain, one can also take the following beneficial measures:

• Keep a good sitting posture by not slouching or leaning.
• Avoid "sinking" into low chairs and couches.
• Avoid sitting for long periods without moving, which causes joints to stiffen and become painful.
• Wear supportive shoes instead of shoes with broken arches.

Weight loss with a well-balanced diet

• Obese or overweight people are more likely to have knee discomfort as they age. Because bearing greater weight puts more strain on the joints, it causes knee wear and tears.
• Carrying too much weight on your body causes inflammation throughout your entire body, including your knees. As a result, losing weight may help to alleviate long-term knee discomfort, including arthritis pain.
• Many osteoarthritis experts recommend a healthy eating plan. Fruits, vegetables, and fiber, for example, are low in meat, animal fat, and other fat.

Medications & Drugs:

There are a variety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and other drugs that can help with arthritis-related knee pain. However, some of these must be provided with a doctor's prescription. Some medications can be taken at home as well. Like, available over-the-counter or online with or without a prescription. 

Massage:

Knee joint massage, particularly self-massage, can help ease knee discomfort and tension.

Individuals can attempt the following tips in a seated position with feet flat on the floor and knees pointing forward.

• Place your feet flat on the ground and sit on the floor. Place the heel of your hand on the top of your leg and move it down to the knee. Rep five times more.
• With both hands, loosely close the fists and tap the upper, lower, and middle thigh ten times. Then, at least three times, repeat this technique.
• Move up and down five times with four fingers pressed into the knee tissue. Then, reverse the procedure around the knee.
• Massaging the thigh muscles has a positive effect on the knee.

Preparations for Aromatherapy

According to one study, rubbing with essential oils or ointments, including ginger, cinnamon, mastic, sesame oil, and orange, may help relieve osteoarthritis discomfort. It may also help knees with moderate to severe pain function better and be more flexible.

Measures of Heat and Cold:

Both heat and cold treatments are helpful in the treatment of knee pain in the elderly. In addition, it has been suggested by doctors worldwide to relieve arthritis-related joint discomfort.

Heat relaxes muscles and increases lubrication, resulting in less stiffness. A hot water bottle or a warm pad may be beneficial. You can even use heat in the morning to increase mobility and then ice later in the day to reduce edema.

Pain, inflammation, and edema may be reduced by using ice wrapped in a cloth or chilled water in a bottle.

Important Note: Before using anything hot, make sure you test it first, especially for the elderly or those who have difficulty communicating.

Knee discomfort is a common condition in the elderly. Nonetheless, there are numerous therapy options available to help improve the situation. In some advanced cases, surgical procedures such as knee replacement surgery may be required. However, as discussed in the preceding section, other possibilities are available before that. As a result, you, like the elderly, must pay attention to the condition of your knees.