Avoiding Wear and Tear on the Knee

knee specialist nyc

In need of a knee specialist in NYC for your pain and discomfort? Dr. Neil Roth and the team at NYSMI can assist you. Contact one of our three offices today to learn more. 

What is the Knee Joint?

As the largest joint in the body, the knee is the most commonly injured joint, especially among athletes and active individuals. In addition to being the largest joint of the body, it is also the most complex, made up of a series of bones, ligaments, cartilage, and more, which allow the joint to serve many purposes and sustain heavy activity. 

However, despite this, the knee is extremely susceptible to wear and tear. If you are an athlete, gym frequenter, or are just experiencing knee pain from daily life, our knee specialist in NYC at NYSMI is here to give you advice on avoiding wear and tear on the knee, and to tell you about some of the knee pain treatment options available to you. 

What Causes Knee Injuries and “Wear and Tear” on the Knee Joint?

Usually, the cause of knee pain and injuries is dependent on the type of physical activity and the lifestyle of the individual. For non-athletes, the following can cause knee pain and wear and tear on the joint:

  • Frequent stair climbing
  • Frequent jumping
  • Arthritis
  • Repetitive motions
  • Awkward planting of the foot when walking/running/climbing
  • Lack of muscle flexibility or strength
  • Excessive weight and pressure on the knee, from being overweight or obese

However, for athletes and those with highly active lifestyles, wear and tear on the knee can lead to knee injuries. It is important to know what type of knee injury you might have to better prevent wear and tear in the future. Our knee specialist in NYC at NYSMI found that the most common of these are:

  • ACL Injury: usually caused by a change in speed or awkward landing or pivot
  • MCL Injury: usually caused by collision on the side of the knee
  • PCL Injury: usually caused by collision to a bent knee or twisting of the joint
  • Meniscus Tear: usually caused by pivoting, twisting, being tackled, abrupt speed change
  • OCD of the Knee: a condition that develops in athletes after another knee injury
  • Articular Cartilage Injury: damaged cartilage in the knee, or “wear and tear,” requires treatment and prevention methods against further injury

How Can I Avoid and Prevent “Wear and Tear” and Other Knee Injuries?

For athletes, active individuals, and all others, our knee specialist in NYC at NYSMI recommends a variety of measures to prevent knee wear and tear over time. These include:

  1. Don’t decrease your exercise: Even if you’re experiencing knee pain, it is important to continue exercising regularly. This is so that the muscles of the knee do not weaken or deteriorate. One of the most important aspects of maintaining knee health is to strengthen and increase flexibility in the muscles of the knee. In addition, maintaining a good exercise routine will help keep your weight at a normal level for your height, age, and gender, which reduces stress on the knee and increases mobility.
  1. Ensure that your footwear is high quality and fits well: Wearing proper footwear, in physical activity and everyday life, is essential in preventing knee injuries and long term wear and tear. Proper footwear allows for ideal hip-leg-knee-ankle alignment, and increases your balance. While improper footwear may not feel as if it increases knee pain at the time, its effects can be long term and highly damaging. 
  1. Warm up before exercise: Flexibility is a key factor in preventing knee pain and injuries. Thigh stretches are especially important in decreasing pressure and tension on the knees. This can also help prevent long term wear and tear as the knee increases in flexibility and range of motion.
  1. Engage in low-impact exercise: For athletes and those with active lifestyles, opting for low impact exercise is important in maintaining knee strength. Activities that include jumping, collisions, and quick changes in speed can wear and tear at the knee joint over time. While it is important to maintain an exercise program, consider changing your routine to low impact activities, such as walking, swimming, using an elliptical instead of a treadmill, and other practices that reduce impact on the knees. 

Knee Specialist in NYC 

If you are already experiencing knee pain from wear and tear or a related injury, our team at NYSMI is here to help. Our treatment options for knee pain vary based on each individual case, but mainly include:

  • Physical Therapy (for most types of chronic knee pain or wear and tear)
  • Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic ACL and PCL Reconstruction Surgery 
  • Partial Knee Replacement (usually for ACL and PCL injuries, as well as osteoarthritis)
  • Full Knee Replacement (usually for osteoarthritis)

Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and find out more about how to treat current knee pain, and prevent future wear and tear. Our knee specialist in NYC at NYSMI is always ready and able to help!

NYSMI