How can knee cartilage injuries occur?
The lower leg (tibia) touches the femur (femur) and the kneecap (patella) in the knee joint. Two forms of cartilage in the knee guard and protect the bones: meniscus cartilage and articular cartilage. Articular cartilage covers the ends of each bone and the back of the kneecap. This smooth cartilage allows the bones to slide over each other frictionlessly and move easily within the joint.
Located between the thigh and lower leg on either side of the knee, the robust and flexible meniscus cartilage evenly relieves the weight of the body with the entire surface of the knee. The strain on the knee can cause sudden twists and turns that can cause the meniscus or articular cartilage to rupture. Sometimes an ACL tear injury is accompanied by a rupture of the meniscus. It is additionally subject to wear and tear over time of the knee cartilage. There is a possibility of loss of knee cartilage as the quality of the tissue deteriorates with exercise or aging.
Damage to the knee cartilage can cause pain and stiffness in the knee which could affect walking, running, and other sports. The most visible sign of knee cartilage injury is pain, but persistent swelling of the knee is also quite common. Because knee discomfort can come from many different sources, it can be challenging to determine the cause – including cartilage damage. The feeling of being caught or locked when moving the joint is another major sign of damage to the cartilage of the knee. In these circumstances, the knee bends, and you may feel it get stuck during the movement. More serious injuries can cause the knee to lock and prevent the leg from being fully stretched.
What are the symptoms of knee disease?
Knee pain often coexists with other symptoms that affect the legs, which can include: swelling, inability to squat or perform exercises, inability to put weight on the affected knee, weakness in the knee and leg, redness and warmth around the knee, reduced range of motion, feeling as if your knee is “failing” when you try to walk. Moving the knee produces unusual sounds, including crackling or crunching.
The main bones of the thigh and lower leg meet in the knee joint, a complicated part of the body created by the interconnection of bones, cartilage and ligaments. Made up of the femur (femur), tibia (lower leg), and patella (kneecap) held in place by numerous joints/tendons, the knee is actually the largest joint in the human body and acts as a “joint joint.” The knees depend on the muscles in the legs to stay stable and strong, and they must resist pressure, weight and stress.
What are the main diseases and injuries of the knee?
Arthritis, which can include rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition that affects the joints) or osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis that usually affects the elderly).
Biomechanical problems such as poor form, defects or muscle compensations that cause the kneecap to fall out of its ideal position.
Gout, marked by crystals of uric acid or calcium-containing compounds that develop on the joints.
One or more small pieces of bone or cartilage break off and float in the space of the knee joint.
Infections such as septic arthritis that can lead to fluid retention and swelling.
Knee injuries can occur immediately after a blow or gradually. Torn ligaments, torn cartilage, or inflammation of the knee joint caused by improper use can cause damage to the knee. Among certain traumas and disorders that can cause knee pain are:
Patellar tendonitis, caused by inflammation of the patellar tendon that connects the kneecap to the lower leg bone,
Knee bursitis or inflammation in the bursae – tiny sacs of fluid – that protect the outside of the knee
Chondromalacia patella, the term for the injured cartilage below the kneecap
Tearing of the ACL, the anterior cruciate ligament that binds the lower leg to the femur; both traumatic and non-traumatic injuries often affect the ACL.
Fractures of the patella (patella) caused by trauma or degenerative disorders
Dislocated kneecap, with the patella sliding out of its usual position.
Risk factors for knee pain
Engaging in contact or dangerous activities include skiing, soccer, basketball, soccer, or rugby that may cause a blow or fall.
Cyclists or long-distance runners … This can lead to overuse of the knee. The knees put extra strain on a lot of jumping and walking uphill and downhill. Sometimes even regular exercise or running in your free time can cause knee problems.
Poor posture and training methods; unexpected changes in the frequency or intensity of exercise; insufficient rest between exercises.
Accident
Osteoporosis can increase your susceptibility to weakening of your pelvic and leg bones, as well as knee fractures.
Autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
Pain in the hip or foot can lead to compensation that puts a strain on the knees and causes destructive loads.
Either overweight or obesity, which puts more strain on the knees.
Consumption of synthetic drugs
Natural remedies for sick knees
- Exercise and the appropriate time to heal
The two main problems associated with a knee injury are weak muscles and stiffness. Therefore, even if maintaining healthy knees depends on exercise, you still need to get enough rest and allow your body to recover. Some people will need to stop most exercise or multiple weeks to heal a broken knee or at least limit high-load activities for a set amount of time. See if skipping a few days of regular exercise helps before trying more extreme medications. If you notice progress with rest, you should plan to reduce your mileage or workout length when you return.
Always warm up slightly and stretch before activity to protect yourself from injury. Walk a quarter to a half mile before you start running, horseback riding, or a similar knee bending activity. Stretching one more time and then will help you give yourself enough time to recover properly, at least one to two days (especially after demanding workouts). Those who have constant discomfort in their knees or diseases that affect the joints would find low-impact workouts ideal.
- Physical therapy: knee stretching and exercise program
Working with a physical therapist, trainer, or coach who can help you with conditioning and rehabilitation is a smart choice if you have encountered weakness or lack of flexibility in your knees or other limitations that compromise your ability to move. By working on proper form to reduce the risk of future injuries, a therapist—such as a neurokinetic therapist—can help you progressively increase strength in your lower body. Correcting pronation problems and other postural problems can help with gait analysis.
Exercises to strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, lower back and hips will help the knees. In addition to strengthening and stretching, focus on balance and stability exercises to develop the muscles in your legs to cooperate in all aspects. This reduces the chance of falling and causes compensations that compromise the knees. After knee surgery, your therapist may also advise applying cold and heat therapy to reduce discomfort and promote healing. Ice packs or a warm compress that is applied to the injured area would help.
- Matching shoes, insoles and – if necessary – a knee brace
Generally speaking, those who have knee problems should try not to wear sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, high heels and boots. These types of shoes exacerbate discomfort in the hips, knees, or back and are not particularly supportive.
- Anti-inflammatory diet
For several reasons, a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet is crucial for overall joint health: it helps you maintain a healthy weight (which reduces the strain on your joints), reduces inflammation, improves recovery from exercise, and reduces the likelihood of getting a condition like arthritis or osteoporosis.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin C, sulfur, and antioxidants, including leafy greens, carrots, bell peppers, berries, onions, broccoli, garlic, asparagus, and cabbage.
Get omega-3 fatty acids from wild-caught fish — especially salmon full of benefits. Grass-fed meat, pasture-raised chicken, seafood such as sardines or mackerel, fermented milk products, and eggs are other sources of protein in food.
Eat coconut oil, olive oil, ghee, pasture-fed butter, avocados, nuts, and seeds—healthy fats.
Use protein powder derived from bone broth or sip bone broth on its own.
Include spices and herbs full of antioxidants in your food.
Limit or avoid processed/refined grains, flour products, synthetic additives, processed meats, and fast meals; Limit or avoid excess sugar, hydrogenated oils (soybean oil, cottonseed oil, even canola oil).
5 Anti-inflammatory supplements
Some herbs and supplements can help reduce inflammation and help treat diseases, including degenerative ones. Among the best vitamins for knee problems are:
Chondroitin, glucose and glucosine of turmeric
Bone broth or protein derived from bone-related sources
Protein, collagen, omega-3 fatty acids
For more information on food for knee cartilage, check out my video!
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