Aging Athletes and Knee Injury: Don't Let an Active Lifestyle Slow You Down

Staying active is an essential means of staving off the effects of aging. But sometimes, a healthy and active lifestyle can actually induce its own set of complications. One of the most prevalent complaints among baby boomers is pain that occurs in the knees as the result of jogging and other high-impact activities.

The resulting condition often is due to osteoarthritis, which happens over time as the cartilage lining on the ends of the bone is worn away. Early indicators of osteoarthritis include pain when going up and down stairs, swelling or stiffness in the knee and buckling or locking of the knee.

As America's aging population has become increasingly young at heart, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is on the rise. Most people who develop osteoarthritis in the knee are over the age of 55, have a family history of osteoarthritis or suffer from obesity. However, younger, active people also can develop osteoarthritis, particularly if they have suffered a knee injury.

Conventional wisdom used to view total knee replacement as the solution for osteoarthritis, but before such extreme measures are pursued, orthopedic surgeons today are first recommending that patients make a change in their lifestyle first. Since the long-term effect of knee replacement surgery in younger patients hasn't been fully realized, doctors today want to try other avenues to extend the life of the knee before replacing it.

That's not an invitation to kick off the running shoes and camp out on the couch; instead, it's an admonition to try new things.

RX for recovery

What your doctor recommends often depends on factors such as your age, overall lifestyle and when the diagnosis is made. If osteoarthritis is discovered in its early stages, chances are good that your doctor will go a non-operative route, recommending low-impact activities in lieu of things like jogging, tennis or basketball. In some cases, such changes are the only treatment a patient might ever need.

However, if the osteoarthritis is farther along, total knee replacement might be required. Be aware that this route also requires behavior modification. A replacement joint has to be cared for to preserve its longevity, which means the patient will have to follow the same basic guidelines as the person who isn't a candidate for total knee replacement.

In both cases, trading high-impact activities for lower impact ones are essential. Among the activities encouraged are yoga, swimming, water aerobics, cycling, walking on a treadmill or playing golf. Games that twist and turn the joints, such as tennis, racquetball, basketball and baseball are definitely discouraged.

In addition to lifestyle modifications, prescription anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce inflammations and he may also recommend supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. However, it's important for patients to consult with their doctor before taking these supplement, as they can have negative interactions with other medications.

Other forms of treatment may include injections with corticosteroids, which will relieve pain and swelling; physical therapy, which can improve joint flexibility, strengthen the surrounding muscles and reduce pain; or the use of splints, braces, or bandages to provide more support to the afflicted area.