Chronic Knee Pain And Senior Balance Exercises

Senior Balance Exercises Assist With Knee Pain

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

     Ongoing knee pain due to osteoarthritis is a very common problem for older individuals and performing senior balance exercises as a regular part of your daily routine can help. Please see http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Doctors, medical researchers and physical therapists have looked into the diagnosis and treatment of knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Although both joints that make up the knee are often involved, differentiation testing of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints is frequently possible. The differential diagnoses of knee chronic pain and osteoarthritis include: conditions involving soft tissue of knee such as bursitis, iliotibial band syndrome, ligamentous instability (medial and lateral collateral ligaments), meniscal pathology; other forms of arthritis like gout and pseudogout, rheumatoid arthritis and septic arthritis; referred pain from neuropathy or radiculopathy; and other diagnoses such as avascular necrosis, patellofemoral pain syndrome and tumor. Diagnostic criteria for osteoarthritis have been developed by the American College of Rheumatology.  Classification of knee osteoarthritis has been established by the  Kellgren and Lawrence grading scale. This scale is based on radiological imaging and consists of different grades:

Grade 1: doubtful narrowing of joint space and possible osteophyte lipping;

Grade 2: definite osteophytes and possible narrowing of joint space;

Grade 3: moderate multiple osteophytes, definite narrowing of joint space and some sclerosis and possible deformity of bone ends; 

Grade 4: large osteophytes, marked narrowing of joint space, severe sclerosis and definite deformity of bone ends.

Criteria for diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis

                                                                                                                                                                                

Clinical criteria

– Age older than 50 years

– Bony enlargement

– Bony tenderness

– Crepitus

– No palpable warmth

– Stiffness for < 30 minutes

Laboratory criteria

– Erythrocyte sedimentation rate  < 40 mm/hour

– Rheumatoid factor < 1:40

– Synovial fluid analysis:  clear, viscous, white blood cell count < 2,000/μL (2.00 × 109 per L)

Radiographic criteria

– Presence of osteophytes

    In addition to the physical changes that accompany osteoarthritis in the knee, the individual also experiences functional deficits including, chronic knee pain, weakness in the legs, difficulties getting up from a chair, difficulties going up and down stairs and poor balance with walking. Consequently, for those people who have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis it is essential to rehearse senior balance exercises and strengthening exercises every day in order to enhance performance of functional activities and limit the potential of a fall.

Senior Balance Exercises Help With Knee Osteoarthritis

      Since decreased stability is one of the side effects of chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, it is imperative of for older adults to rehearse senior balance exercises as a part of their daily routine. A comprehensive balance program includes both static and dynamic exercises. For static stability, you can practice standing on one foot, which will build lower leg muscle strength and improve steadiness. For dynamic stability, you can practice walking along a line heel to toe for approximately one minute. you can follow along with These static and dynamic balance exercises as well as appropriate leg strengthening exercises needed to support sore knee joints by following the direction of an experienced Physical Therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis, please begin the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The easy to follow Balance DVD is an exceptional tool to use at home or in a group setting. The comprehensive DVD is loaded with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, steadiness techniques and balance routines from a balance trainer (licensed Physical Therapist) who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

If you suffer with knee pain, start balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/