| You use your knees every time you walk, run, or | | | | while the latter fights against degeneration of cartilage. |
| move your lower body at all. Knee pain, therefore, | | | | Studies have proven their effectiveness in alleviating |
| dramatically affects the daily life of sufferers, who | | | | osteoarthritic joint pain, but have yet to demonstrate |
| must use their knees throughout the day. Knee pain is | | | | that these supplements actually reverse the effects of |
| the second only to back pain among American adult | | | | cartilage degeneration that have already taken |
| pain sufferers. Knee trouble is most often caused by | | | | place.Modifying knee activity with physical aids such as |
| osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition in which the | | | | padding, crutches, and splints, and even simple rest |
| cartilage that surrounds the two bones that comprise | | | | take the pressure off of the knee and provide |
| the knee joint wears away, sometimes causing painful | | | | temporary knee pain relief while the joint recovers |
| joint-on-joint contact.There are many treatment options | | | | from injury. Conversely, specific exercises, stretching, |
| for knee pain. Under the care of a doctor, sufferers | | | | and low-impact aerobic activities such as biking, |
| can select the most appropriate course of treatment | | | | walking and swimming increase joint strength and |
| to provide optimum knee pain relief. Over-the-counter | | | | flexibility, promoting healing and reducing the risk of |
| and prescription medications including acetaminophen | | | | further injury.For severe knee injuries that have not |
| (Tylenol) and aspirin reduce pain, and non-steroidal | | | | responded to the aforementioned treatments, surgery |
| anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, | | | | remains an option. There are several common knee |
| can reduce inflammation as well as knee joint pain. | | | | surgeries, which range from exploratory arthroscopic |
| At-home remedies like ice packs and capsaicin, found | | | | surgery, which orthopedic physicians use to diagnose |
| in cayenne pepper, often have a similar effect.Natural | | | | the exact source of knee pain so that they can |
| supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine have | | | | determine which behaviors and activities need to be |
| become popular alternatives to traditional medicines in | | | | modified, all the way to a total knee replacement. |
| recent years because they present fewer risks of | | | | Whichever course of treatment a patient decides |
| side effects. Both are naturally occurring substances in | | | | upon, it is important to work alongside a physician to |
| the body. The former aids in building joint cartilage, | | | | ensure proper care. |