Let's Talk About Your Knees

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Introduction

Knee pain doesn’t always result from a fall, accident, or any other traumatic event. In some cases, it may be linked to genetic factors. Think about the many reasons you have experienced—or might experience—pain in your knees. The healing process depends on several factors, including the type of injury, your age, and one crucial element: your body mass index (BMI). In this discussion, we will focus on how a high BMI increases the risk of knee problems and explore effective ways to protect your knees.


What to Know About Your Knees

Many times we are guilty of being careless with the different parts of our body – until an injury makes us think. It is almost a normal phenomenon. But let's take a pause to know how important your knees function. Those quiet joints bend, straighten, and slight twists – matter a lot. Just like the ankle, the knee is also another complex joint in the body. And one reason your knees don't always go out of place when you walk or run is because of the ligaments that hold it steady, tendons that move it, and cartilage that cushions every step you take. However repetitive pressure causes wear and tear injuries — or even genetic problems — that can upset the delicate balance. Hence, when you hurt them, it goes beyond physical – it limits the way you live. That’s why protecting them isn’t just about exercise or injury prevention. It’s about avoiding any form of knee injury – although in some cases, it may be almost unavoidable. Now that we understand how vital and complex our knees are, let’s explore how excess body weight can affect them – and what you can do to protect your joints. 


How BMI Affects Your Knees

Your (BMI) is more than just a number. It is a reflection of how much weight your joints carry with every step you take. The knees, being weight-bearing joints, are among the first to feel the impact of extra kilograms or pounds. When your BMI is high, your knees must support greater force, even during simple activities like walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods. Studies have shown that for every pound of body weight gained, your knees experience about four additional pounds of pressure. That means an extra 10 kilogram or pound can add up to 40 kilograms or pounds of extra stress on your joints. Over time, this strain wears down the cartilage that cushions your knee bones, increasing your risk of developing osteoarthritis – a condition that causes stiffness, swelling, and chronic pain. Maintaining a healthy BMI therefore helps to reduce this burden and allows your knees to move more efficiently.


Practical Ways To Protect Your Knees

  1. Maintain a healthy weight – this cannot be overemphasized. 

  2. Focus on low-impact activities – high-impact workouts like running or jumping can worsen knee strain, especially if you’re overweight or have a history of knee pain. Try swimming, cycling, or brisk walking instead. These activities will improve your strength and flexibility without stressing your joints.

  3. Wear supportive footwears – to allow even weight distribution and prevent pain and joint stress.

  4. Practices to imbibe – how you move and stand matters. Avoid locking your knees when standing, and bend your knees, not your back – when lifting objects.

  5. Safety measures – knee pain that is left untreated can worsen over time. To relieve the pain or reduce swelling, apply ice, rest and see a Physiotherapist as soon as you can.  Or contact us at: +2348126973878.


Final Thoughts

Healthy knees are the foundation of mobility. In everything you do, ensure to keep it moving, pain free – and most importantly, try to maintain a healthy BMI to avoid straining it. For any knee challenges or personalized physiotherapy care, contact us at +2348126973878. 


More Posts You'll Love:

📌 [How to Exercise Effectively]

📌 [Hamstring Tear or Strain]

📌 [How to Relieve Arthritis Naturally]

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