It is not uncommon for aging knees to make cracking or popping sounds when in motion, however, combined with knee soreness and stiffness from sitting for long periods of time or overuse, such symptoms could indicate osteoarthritis. Taiwanese geriatrician Dr. Yu-Hsieng Fu introduced four ways to prevent and improve the conditions of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and other symptoms of arthritis, and in severe cases, it may cause bone spurs and joint deformities that can affect joint movement. Although most osteoarthritis occurs among older people, there has been a trend toward younger people in recent years.
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is natural degeneration with age, but athletes and people who do physical work are also more likely to experience joint degeneration due to excessive exercise and physically demanding labor jobs.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain or swelling in the knee joint that worsens with excessive activity or simply walking up and down stairs. It is common to hear a rattling sound in the joint. Some patients experience joint pain when they stand up after sitting for a long time or have difficulties standing up after squatting down.Physician’s Advice
In an interview with The Epoch Times on February 11, Yu-Hsieng, a geriatrician in Taiwan and director of the Flying Health Clinic, recommended four prevention methods to patients.- Proper posture when sitting or standing: Avoid hunchback, leg curl, and standing or sitting for a long time.
- Maintain a healthy body weight: Obesity will exert pressure on the knees. Strengthening your leg muscles via exercise can reduce excessive pressure on the knees.
- Avoid sports injuries: Low-impact sports such as swimming and walking can effectively prevent and improve degenerative arthritis. However, once an injury occurs in the joint, follow a doctor’s advice and rest and recuperate until fully recovered before engaging in more exercises.
- Take nutritional supplements: Your dietary supplements should focus on protein, calcium, and vitamin D3, which are beneficial for strengthening muscles and increasing bone density.