| Arthritis in knee joints is a common problem for | | | | hamstring muscle are actually made up of 3 muscles. |
| people over 60 years of age. It occurs as a result of | | | | This muscle group is responsible for bending the knee |
| the cartilage at the end of the bones wearing out | | | | and extending the hip. Just like the quads muscle, the |
| over the years. Just like a car engine which has parts | | | | hamstrings are also important when walking and |
| that wear out because of use, the body also has | | | | climbing stairs. |
| parts that wear out. For knee joints, the cartilage is | | | | Walking is a good and simple form of exercise for |
| located on the ends of the femur and the tibia which | | | | people who suffer from knee pain. However, one |
| makes up the joint. If someone played sport during | | | | must remember that this form of exercise is load |
| their younger years and developed a knee injury, the | | | | bearing and if the knee arthritis is painful, this may |
| chance of developing problems in later years is | | | | increase the pain. Instead of walking, a person with |
| significantly increased. | | | | knee arthritis may like to try walking in the water at |
| So what can be done about knee arthritis? Well, the | | | | their local swimming pool. With water up to their |
| best form of treatment or management is exercise. | | | | waist, half their body weight is gone. This means |
| When pain develops around the knee, the muscles | | | | there is less pressure put through the knee which |
| often waste away because of the pain and because | | | | means less pain. If walking and exercise in water |
| the person doesn't use the knee as much. The | | | | feels good to do, it is important to make it part of a |
| important muscles to work on developing are the | | | | normal routine and go to the pool 2-3 times a week. |
| quadriceps muscle and the hamstrings. | | | | Unfortunately, arthritis in knee joints is common. |
| The quadriceps or quads muscle is found at the front | | | | However, a few simple strategies like the ones |
| of the knee or thigh and is responsible for | | | | mentioned above are able to help people who suffer |
| straightening the knee. It is an important muscle | | | | with the pain of knee arthritis. It will give them |
| when walking and going up and down stairs. The | | | | control of the pain and help in the long term in |
| hamstrings are found at the back of the thigh. The | | | | managing the symptoms of knee arthritis. |