Joint problems are a common complaint associated with growing older. As we age, our body's natural flexibility can give way to stiffness and pain, and a common area of complaint is the knee. Injuries or conditions, inherited or otherwise, can lead to problems getting around, inflammation, chronic discomfort and even an inability to walk without aid. There are a few things you can do to help keep your joints in good condition and help cope with these kind of problems.

Knee Problems

One of the reason knee complaints are fairly common is simply because they are joints we use every day. In our normal activities, we take thousands of steps each day, and each one involves pressure on these two joints. It's no surprise that general wear and tear over a lifetime can lead to difficulties in flexing and bearing weight, considering the myriad of conditions or injuries that can lead to painful, inflamed joints.

Prevention

The best way to help with knee problems is to keep them from happening. One common source of knee trouble is being overweight; the more weight and pressure put on your joints with every step, the more damage you cause. Keeping an active lifestyle and eating right keeps your body healthy, and careful, low-impact exercise keeps your joints working like new for decades. Avoid situations where you might injure your knees, such as lifting heavy loads improperly or playing sports without the proper safety gear. Some conditions, such as arthritis, cause knee problems even in otherwise healthy people.

Treatment

Treat many knee problems at home, without seeing a doctor. Reduce knee complaints by carefully warming up before exercise or exertion, and spend time off your feet afterward. Reduce swelling and inflammation with elevation, icing and over-the-counter pain relievers. If knee pain is recurrent and chronic, however, and interferes with your daily activities, consult a doctor for further treatment. If knee pain is not caused by a specific injury, your doctor may prescribe a variety of treatment options, ranging from oral medication to cortisone injections to reduce swelling and inflammation. Physical therapy may also be an option in order to help restore natural function, along with dietary supplements and an exercise plan to help get everything back in working order. In extreme cases, your doctor may also recommend a partial or complete replacement surgery, in which the damaged joint is replaced by an artificial piece. Such replacements are becoming more routine, and the artificial joints can last years or even decades before further procedures are required.

Source:

Mayo Clinic page on knee pain

National Library of Medicine page on knee problems