Knee X-ray

Men and Women that are at least 65 years of age or older with knee osteoarthritis (OA), that practice Tai Chi, improve their physical performance and experience less pain, according to a new Tufts University School of Medicine study. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that produces an erosion of joint cartilage. Chiropractors help quite a few people who suffer with OA in a number of places in the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal complaints. In fact, an astounding 4.3 million men and women in the US over age 60 have been diagnosed with knee OA, according to the CDC, and it anticipates that half of the men and women in America may develop symptoms of OA in at least one knee by age 85. Knee osteoarthritis results in pain, mobility limitations, functional disabilities, and a decreased quality of life.

Are you wondering why so many adults develop OA? Inordinate stress over a period of time is a major determinant in the majority of musculoskeletal problems that develop as we get older. Therefore, as people get older they are more likely to develop OA in their knees, as well as other joints. Incorrect function of the knee, poor gait, compensatory foot mechanics as a consequence of foot pain, and overload of the knee joint all create excessive stress on the knees. Eventually arthritic changes in the knee joint take place. As an adjunct to chiropractic treatment, chiropractors wholeheartedly endorse natural, drug-free practices, such as Tai Chi (Chuan), that can mitigate knee pain. Tai Chi (Chuan) is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that features slow, rhythmic movements that produce peace of mind, as well as an enhancement of balance, an increase in strength, and more flexibility.

The 40 adults chosen for the Tufts study were on an average 65 years of age, overweight, and with confirmed OA, but in otherwise good health. Individuals were chosen at random to take part in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.

Tai Chi practice involves the type of range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout that is compatible with contemporary exercise advice for osteoarthritis. As an added benefit, researchers observed that the “mental feature” of Tai Chi encouraged a sense of well-being, life enjoyments, and personal concepts of health that helped the participants to deal differently with chronic pain. Significantly, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a substantial decrease in knee pain compared with those in the control group.

Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

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Non-trauma knee problems: The most widespread cause of non-traumatic pain is deficient mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee. Normally, the part of the knee affected is the patella or knee-cap. Many times the patella does not move smoothly or does not move efficiently on the femur during bending of the knee causing undue stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This particular condition is frequently called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). The condition usually begins when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that join to and move the patella. Lower back conditions, expressly in the sacroiliac joints, are one of the primary reasons for imbalances in the muscles having to do with knee movement, and resultant knee problems. Imbalances in muscle groups that join to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can create pain on the medial or inside of the knee.   Mechanical knee pain is also caused by gait deviations such as pronation.

The correspondent pain from overuse is most frequently experienced during activity, particularly stair climbing, running, jumping, and following standing after prolonged sitting. A number of women appear to be predisposed to painful overuse ailments for anatomical reasons, although such ailments are many times related to wearing high heels on a regular basis.

The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot.  In specific cases, a brace is adopted to help with the positioning of the patella or to support the joint. Chiropractors, such as your chiropractor, are experts in providing the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these problems.

Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries frequently happen during sports that involve running and jumping, such as football, basketball, and skiing. Sprains take place when tissue is torn by virtue of the knee being stretched or bent beyond the strength of the ligaments that hold the joint together. Strains to muscles that move the knee can occur when the muscles are torn during injury. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a minor injury that requires little treatment to a severe injury necessitating surgery. In addition the two special knee “cartilages” located between the tibia and femur (called the menisci), which facilitate smooth motion and cushioning, may also be torn during traumatic injury. This serious injury frequently needs surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.

Traumatic knee injuries can cause serious pain and swelling and necessitate urgent examination and attention. Almost always a qualified chiropractor, such as your Chiropractor, can treat these conditions, although there are some injuries that may necessitate the skills of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is very important to stabilize the injured joint immediately and to use ice on the damaged area, if possible, until the injury can be examined.

Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be eliminated at an early stage. Otherwise, the tissues of the knee joint, particularly the cartilage, will eventually erode. If tissue and cartilage deteriorate, the bones will rub together unprotected and changes such as bone spurs can occur. This painful condition, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is commonly progressive with age. Common treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Fortunately, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are highly effectual such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely valuable in reducing the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is will be happy to recommend anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, individuals can often aid themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, knee pain, traumatic injury