Knee Pain Blog

May 16, Treatment Part 4: Leg Stretches

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:24:01 -0400

So, can you touch your toes? Without cheating and bending your knees! If you can't, your hamstrings are probably tight. But what about your other leg muscles, and does it really matter?

Muscle tightness is a frequent cause of knee pain. Tight muscles pull on the structures around the knee, affecting how the bones move, and how the weight is distributed throughout the joint. Most people would have a go at stretching, but lots of them wouldn't do it right. Do it wrong and you are wasting your time - it won't make much difference. Here, you can find: Simple tests to see if your muscles are tight, how long to hold a stretch for, how often you should stretch, what are the best stretches for you and much more. Stretching really can make a big difference, so start today.

May 8, Treatment Part 3: Strengthening Exercises

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:44:45 -0400

One of the best treatments for virtually any case of knee pain is strengthening exercises. The muscles around the knee work together to stabilise the knee, control how it moves and ensure that weight is distributed evenly through the joint. Weakness in any/all of these is a common cause of knee pain and dysfunction. The Quads control how the knee bends and the kneecap moves, as well as helping us to get up from a chair, up and down stairs and squatting.
The Hamstrings bend the knee and allow us to do do fast paced activities like running and jumping
The Glutes, buttock muscles, are the most often ignored, yet are hugely important in controlling the stability of the knee and the way the forces are transmitted down the leg. Find out more, including strengthening exercises ranging from beginners to advanced level exercises, to help you on your way to beating your knee pain today.

May 7, Knee Treatment Part 2: PRICE

Tue, 7 May 2013 09:18:40 -0400

Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation: PRICE is usually the best first line treatment with any knee injury or new incidence of pain. When used properly, it can reduce further damage, speed up healing time and minimise pain by reducing swelling, inflammation and bleeding. This article looks at how to accurately apply the 5 components of PRICE. It covers issues like:
How much should you rest?
Does it matter how long you apply ice for?
How much do you need to elevate your leg for it to actually make a difference?

May 2, Monthly Focus Topic: Knee Pain Treatment

Thu, 2 May 2013 09:03:35 -0400

This months focus topic looks at The Best Treatments For Knee Pain. Approximately 1-in-4 people suffer from knee problems. Knee conditions can result in pain, limited function and mobility and often impair quality of life. But, there are a number of treatments that make a big difference. This month we will look at some of the most popular and effective treatments for knee pain ranging from exercises, to braces, to injections. We will find out how they work, what conditions they are most effective for and how to get the best results. Whatever your problem, there will almost certainly be some things that will help you.

Apr 3, Arthritis Part 8: Top 10 Alternative Treatments

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:08:01 -0400

In this final part of the focus topic on Arthritis, we look at alternative therapies for this common disease. The Arthritis Foundation reports that approximately two-thirds of arthritis sufferers have tried some form of alternative medicine, but do they really work? Here we look at ten of the most popular alternative treatments for arthritis including capsaicin cream, TENS machines and acupuncture. Find out how they work and read reviews from other arthritis sufferers to find out about their experiences.

Mar 28, Arthritis Part 7: Homeopathy

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:31:17 -0400

It has been used for centuries and is one of the oldest form of medicine. But is there any place for homeopathy in this day and age? Homeopathy involves using natural products to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness, all common features of arthritis. Some products have been shown to inhibit the breakdown of cartilage and promote its repair, others have been shown to reduce inflammation more effectively than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs). Find out more including the evidence behind different homeopathic remedies so you can reduce your arthritis knee pain today.

Mar 28, New Products/Reviews for Canadian Visitors

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:22:52 -0400

We have just added over 30 products for our Canadian visitors. You can now access product reviews and find the best prices for things such as knee braces and natural arthritis remedies. e.g. The Neo G Stabilised Knee Brace is one of the most popular knee braces on the market for a whole range of problems including arthritis, knee sprains, instability and general knee pain. Easy to apply, comfortable to wear and one size fits all. Receiving an average user review of 4.8/5 and costing only CDN$29.99 it is one of knee-pain-explained.com's favourite knee braces. Find out more about this product and loads more

Mar 21, Arthritis Part 6: Natural Remedies

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:30:29 -0400

Natural arthritis remedies are becoming increasingly popular. More and more research is being done into their effectiveness and many people swear by them. Today we concentrate on supplements that have been shown to decrease the pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with arthritis. We look at which products are the most effective and the evidence behind them.

Mar 19, Arthritis Part 5: Top Treatment Ideas

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:01:22 -0400

Today we find out more about 15 of the best treatment options for knee arthritis. "Which is better, rest or movement?"
"Does losing weight really make a difference?"
"How can I get up and down the stairs easier?"

Looking at everything from braces to injections, exercises to footwear, you are sure to find a few ideas that might make all the difference.

Mar 14, Arthritis Part 4: How it Progresses

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:33:10 -0400

"I'm worried my arthritis is going to get worse and worse until I can't walk", "Surely exercise will make it worse", "How badly damaged are my bones?" These are some of the most common concerns and questions amongst arthritis sufferers. So often, people are diagnosed with arthritis but aren't told what that actually means or what the long term outlook is. Here we will look at the different stages of arthritis and how the disease progresses.

Mar 11, Arthritis Part 3: Symptoms & Diagnosis

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:49:46 -0400

In part 3 of March's monthly focus topic on Arthritis, we look at the common symptoms of the disease. One of the most classic features of arthritis is morning joint stiffness. When you first get up, it can be painful and difficult to move, but after half an hour or so, things loosen up and it feels much easier to move around. But why is this?

Our joints need lubrication - just like your car needs oil. In the body, this comes in the form of synovial fluid which is produced as we move. After lying down all night, or if you are sitting for long periods, the fluid starts to dry out, making it painful and difficult to move. But, as you get up and get moving around, the body starts to produce more of its natural lubricant and it gets easier to move. So typically, half an hour to an hour after you get up, you usually start to feel much better. This is one of the most classic symptoms of arthritis. Find out more about the effects of weather, stress and illness on arthritis pain and how symptoms can vary.

Mar 7, Arthritis Part 2: Causes of the Disease

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 06:42:25 -0500

Arthritis affects over 16 million people worldwide. It is the most common cause of knee pain in the over 50's resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness and disability. Here we will look at the most common causes of arthritis covering topics such as:
* Is arthritis more common in women or men?
* Is it a case of bad genes?
* Is it a foregone conclusion or are there things I can do to avoid arthritis?

Mar 6, Monthly Focus Topic: Arthritis Part 1

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 06:20:29 -0500

Each month, we are going to focus on a specific topic relating to knee pain. To kick things off, we are going to start with the most common cause of knee pain which affects approximately 20% of adults. Arthritis. Throughout March, we will focus on the different aspects of arthritis including the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this common disease. We will start by looking at what exactly arthritis is and why it causes so many problems.

Feb 14, Knee Cap Injuries: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:39:59 -0500

Knee cap injuries can develop gradually over time or may be caused by a specific incident. Find out about the different types of injuries including patella dislocation and broken kneecaps.

Jan 10, Drug May Slow Knee Arthritis Progression

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:25:40 -0500

A drug currently used in Europe for osteoporosis may not only reduce arthritis knee pain, it may also slow the progression of the disease, preliminary findings suggest. Cartilage commonly thins and wears away in osteoarthritis sufferers leading to pain and reduced movement and function. In the 3-year study of over 1,300 people, x-rays showed that there was less cartilage loss in people taking strontium ranelate. 30-40% fewer people taking strontium reached the threshold for knee surgery compared with the placebo control group.

Jan 9, Soda May Worsen Knee Pain - Harvard study

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 09:12:24 -0500

A new study conducted by Harvard Medical school researchers shows that drinking soda may incease knee pain. Researchers were suprised that the link was not related to a persons weight. In fact they found that non-obese soda drinkers had the worse pain

Dec 20, The Best Time To Have a Knee Replacement

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:16:46 -0500

Many people want to wait as long as possible before having a knee replacement, to try and ensure they outlive their new knee. This article shows that that is not always the right thing to do. Waiting too long can lead to a slower recovery and a less good outcome.

Dec 19, The Best Ice Wraps To Reduce Pain & Swelling

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:34:05 -0500

Use ice without the mess! Ice is a great way of reducing bleeding, swelling and pain whether its after a knee injury, operation or with long term knee problems. Whilst you can simply use some frozen peas or wrap up some ice from the freezer, it works better to use specially designed ice wraps. They stay cold for longer, can be molded to your specific shape and are much less messy! You can choose from non-leak bags, special wraps to hold ice packs in place, instant ice packs that don't need to be frozen or cryo cuff systems for long term use. Have a look at the different types of ice wraps available, read reviews and find the best one for you.

Nov 28, New Gout Guidelines Just Released

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 03:53:36 -0500

The American College of Rheumatology has just realeased new guidelines on the management of gout. Dietary recommendations fall into 3 categories:
1) Foods to avoid: organs (sweetbread, liver), foods containing high-fructose corn syrup, excessive alcohol
2) Foods to limit: large portions of meat/seafood, naturally sweet fruit juice, salt, sugar and puddings
3) Foods that are encouraged: low-fat/non-fat dairy and vegetables.

Lifestyle advice: weight loss for overweight people, stopping smoking, exercise Acute episodes should be treated within 24 hours. Mild-moderate episodes should be treated with either NSAIDs, systemic corticosteroids, or oral colchicine. Severe episodes should be treated with combined therapy: colchicine and NSAIDs, oral corticosteroids and colchicine, or intra-articular steroids with each of the other options. There should be an improvement in symptoms of at least 20% within 24 hours, an alternative diagnosis should be considered, or alternative therapy started. Read the full article to find out more. Source: Medscape

Nov 23, Static Bikes Can Help Reduce Knee Pain

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 08:04:32 -0500

Exercise is a great way to reduce pain from osteoarthritis and improve mobility but it can sometimes aggravate symptoms. A recent study looked at the effects of a 12-week static bike cycling programme on people suffering from mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. The randomised controlled trial showed an improvement in pain and function of the participants compared to a control group.

Nov 14, Get Great Protection with Donjoy Knee Braces

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:17:13 -0500

Donjoy knee braces are the best at braces on the market for people suffering from knee instability and pain, and are perfect for people with ligament injuries, arthritis or those recovering from surgery. They are also great at preventing injuries, and are the only braces on the market backed by a knee protection guarantee. There are a range of braces suitable for everything from daily life to those involved in professional and extreme sports. Compare products and read reviews to find the best Donjoy knee brace for you.

Oct 24, Arthritis Knee Brace: Ease the Pain of Arthritis

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:52:07 -0400

Find the best arthritis knee brace for you to reduce pain, swelling and instability. Find out how they work, compare products and read reviews.

Oct 2, Tubigrip Sale

Tue, 2 Oct 2012 08:05:13 -0400

Whole new range of tubigrip products including a range of colours, lengths and sizes. We search the web to find you the best prices. Tubigrip is a special elasticated bandage that is perfect for reducing swelling, providing support and holding dressings in place.

Jul 27, NEW: Exercise Videos

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:59:43 -0400

Due to popular demand, we now have videos for the different knee exercises to make them easier to follow.

We have videos for nearly half of the exercises on site now, and will be adding more weekly. Check them out and let us know what you think.

Jun 6, Knee-Pain-Explained on Twitter

Wed, 6 Jun 2012 09:39:05 -0400

Keep up to date with what's going on @KneePainExp. Top articles, comments and things of interest to do with knee pain

Mar 19, Top Knee Brace on Sale - Save $10

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:51:39 -0400

My favourite advanced knee brace, the Neo G Stabilised Open Knee Support has just gone on sale in the US. RRP $39, it is currently on sale for $29.99. Grab it while you can! It is a wrap around brace with in built spiral supports for extra sideways stability. Particularly good for sports and skiing. It provides great support for things like ligament injuries, chondromalcia patella, runners knee etc.