| Knee osteoarthritis is a condition that affects millions | | | | advise you to lose weight. |
| of Americans and has several different causes. The | | | | Many people who suffer from osteoarthritis of the |
| primary cause of this condition is obesity. Many | | | | knee are overweight. They find that when they lose |
| people who are obese or even overweight, will | | | | weight, their symptoms are dramatically reduced. If |
| develop a problem in their knee joints that cannot | | | | you are overweight and suffering from knee |
| take the extra weight. | | | | problems, losing weight is the best option. This can |
| Another cause of osteoarthritis in the knees can be | | | | be done by a diet rich in fiber and vitamins as well as |
| related to a previous injury. Many athletes or former | | | | exercise. |
| athletes suffer from this condition. The injury wears | | | | Exercise can help those who suffer from |
| down the cartilage in the knee to the point where it | | | | osteoarthritis in the knee. Swimming is considered to |
| is stiff and sore. | | | | be the best exercise for this condition. Walking is also |
| Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis | | | | good exercise, although many with this condition will |
| The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis will usually | | | | find that walking becomes painful. Exercise with knee |
| come on gradually. You will notice pain, the dominating | | | | osteoarthritis can be somewhat of a Catch 22. |
| symptom of arthritis, in the joint, accompanied by | | | | People want to lose weight through exercise, but find |
| stiffness. This pain will usually get worse over a | | | | it too painful - making the osteoarthritis even worse. |
| period of time, although not everyone who suffers | | | | A knee brace is also one way that the pain and |
| from knee osteoarthritis will find the condition | | | | swelling from this condition can be alleviated. Your |
| debilitating. Everyone appears to suffer from a | | | | doctor may recommend a knee brace as well as a |
| different degree of pain from this condition. This | | | | heating pad to help with the swelling. |
| could be because some people also have higher pain | | | | There are anti-inflammatory medications that a |
| thresholds than others. | | | | doctor can prescribe for those who are suffering |
| If you have the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, | | | | from very painful affects of osteoarthritis of the |
| you need to see a doctor to have the diagnosis | | | | knee. NSAIDS are the category of anti-inflammatory |
| confirmed. The pain coupled by a stiffness in the joint | | | | drugs that are most often prescribed for this |
| are the primary symptoms for this disease. | | | | condition. Some doctors will prescribe muscle |
| Osteoarthritis of the knee can also present with a | | | | relaxants and others will prescribe pain pills. |
| freezing up of the joint intermittently. | | | | Medication, however, should be a last resort and not |
| Treatment Options for Knee Osteoarthritis | | | | a first option when it comes to treating osteoarthritis |
| When a doctor diagnoses osteoarthritis, usually after | | | | of the knee. |
| taking a blood test as well as an x-ray of the joint, | | | | In some cases, knee replacement surgery can be |
| they will give you options based upon the cause of | | | | performed. This is often an option for younger |
| the condition as well as your age and the overall | | | | people who have suffered a previous injury and who |
| damage to the joint. If the reason for the knee | | | | want to avoid disability from this condition. |
| osteoarthritis is due to obesity, your doctor will | | | | |