Knees are composed of cartilage that prevents the bones from rubbing together, ligaments that connect the bones to each other, and tendons that connect muscles to the bones. Any of these parts can suffer damage. Knee pain can make it hard for you to move around like you used to and do everything you need and want to do.
At LA Orthopaedic Specialists in Los Angeles, California, our team helps our patients find the right treatments to address any type of pain. We offer a wide range of treatment options for pain, including innovative procedures such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. We take the time to listen to your symptoms and find the right treatments for you.
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain can be caused by a number of conditions and injuries that cause damage to the joint. These include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendon Injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Worn or damaged cartilage
Although these causes of knee pain are all different, they’re all painful and can disrupt your life. And a few bad habits could be making your knee pain worse.
Bad habits that could make your knee pain worse
Wearing the wrong shoes
Sadly, some of the most stylish shoes may actually hurt your knees and your feet. Shoes should provide cushioning to save all your joints from the shock of pounding on hard surfaces. If your shoes are too tight, are worn unevenly, change the normal shape of your foot, or don’t provide cushioning, they may be doing you more harm than good.
High heels can be especially bad for your knees, since they change the way that you walk, can put a twisting force on your knees, and increase the chance of a fall. Shoes that have too much wear may throw your knees out of alignment, causing pain.
Smoking
You might be surprised to know that smoking can cause damage to your joints. The nicotine in tobacco causes a decrease in the blood flow to your tissues, bones, and joints. Nicotine also interrupts your body’s absorption of calcium, which is essential to healthy, strong bones.
Not exercising
When you have knee pain, you might think it best to avoid physical activity. If you’ve had a recent serious injury, this is possibly true. However, for knee pain caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, exercise can actually help the pain by keeping the joints healthy. In addition, exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, which helps reduce stress on your joints.
If you have knee pain that makes it difficult for you to exercise, talk to our team to find out about exercises you can do that won’t cause damage. A referral to a physical therapist might help.
Lifting or carrying weight improperly
It’s important to keep your knees in mind when you need to lift or carry items that are heavy. If you’re not trained to do so, you could lift a load improperly and cause knee pain. Ask for help if you need it, or leave the job for someone else who’s better able to do it.
In addition, be careful when carrying heavy bags and packages, especially when the load is unevenly distributed, such as a bag flung over one shoulder. Uneven weight distribution can throw off your body’s alignment and place a lot of stress on your joints.
Most people experience knee pain due to an injury, a condition, or as the result of the aging process. A few good habits can save you from unnecessary knee pain.
To set up an appointment at LA Orthopaedic Specialists, call our Los Angeles office or use our convenient online booking tool today.