How Common Are Knee Problems? What Causes Them?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 4.1 million people seek medical care each year for a knee problem. Some knee problems result from wear of parts of the knee, such as occurs in osteoarthritis. Other problems result from injury, such as a blow to the knee or sudden movements that strain the knee beyond its normal range of movement. How Can People Prevent Knee Problems? • Some knee problems, such as those resulting from an accident, cannot be foreseen or prevented. However, a person can prevent many knee problems by following these suggestions: • First warm up by walking or riding a stationary bicycle, then do stretches before exercising or participating in sports. Stretching the muscles in the front of the thigh (quadriceps) and back of the thigh (hamstrings) reduces tension on the tendons and relieves pressure on the knee during activity. • Strengthen the leg muscles by doing specific exercises (for example, by walking up stairs or hills, or by riding
