Be Kind to Your Knees
It is easy to take our knees for granted. Whether we are walking, running, or jumping, we depend on the knee’s complex interplay of bone, cushioning cartilage, and ligaments to support our weight and keep us moving. Dr. Daren Wickum, one of our knee sub-specialists says, “A little preventative care can help keep our knees conditioned, and may forestall injuries and joint deterioration.”
Maintain a healthy weight. Keeping extra pounds off is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. Staying trim reduces the force you place on your knees. Medical research suggests that a fit weight may also reduce osteoarthritis.
Build muscle strength. Your quadriceps and hamstrings support your knees. When these muscles are weak, your chance of injury increases. Balance and stability exercises, such as straight leg raises and leg extensions, help the muscles in your knees work more effectively. Don’t forget flexibility exercises. Tight muscles contribute to knee injury. If you incorporate stretches to maintain flexibility, you’ll keep your knees in optimum condition.
Include variety in your exercise program. High-impact activities like basketball, tennis, and jogging can be rough on your knees. Consider varying your routine to include low-impact activities like swimming, water aerobics, and walking at least a few times a week.
With a few proactive steps, you can increase your probability of keeping your knees healthy for years to come.
Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive sports medicine expertise
From Olympians to pro athletes to kids in youth sports and those that just want to be more active—Summit Orthopedics delivers expert care by fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians. If you are recently injured or concerned about ongoing pain, Summit Orthopedics sports medicine specialists have the expertise to evaluate your discomfort and develop a plan to quickly and safely help you get back to being active.
Start your journey to stronger, healthier athletic condition. Find your sports medicine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a sports medicine consultation.
Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, Plymouth, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as several additional community clinics.
More resources for you
- Research Evaluates Best Treatments For Knee Pain
- Where Does Your Knee Hurt
- So, You Have a Knee Ligament Injury. What’s Next?
- When Should Knee Replacement Surgery Be Considered?
- Ask Dr. Skendzel: How Are Kneecap Injuries Evaluated?
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Katelyn Bauer, PT, DPT
Listen to your body, if you experience pain and it continues to worsen with certain movements/activities, you probably shouldn’t be doing it. Do not prolong going to see a doctor when injured, the longer you let an injury go, the longer it takes to get better.
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Jillian Cunningham, PA-C
“I like staying active in my daily life with my family, and I want to help each patient do the same.”
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Jack Drogt, M.D.
“As a hip and knee specialist, an orthopedic surgeon, and the President of Summit Orthopedics, I’m dedicated to providing patients with the highest level of care available. Our expertise extends beyond orthopedic care. We’re enabling people to live the lives they love.”
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Martha Hultgren, PT, MS
It’s an honor and a privilege to encourage, assist, and educate patients throughout the healing process so that they can return to an active, healthy lifestyle.
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Kate Maloney, PT, MPT, OCS
I believe my job is to educate: whether it’s teaching people about their injury, providing tools to get better, or sharing ways to prevent re-injury.
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Jerome Perra, M.D.
“My goal is always to return the patient to his or her highest level of function, and to individualize post-operative
and rehabilitation expectations.”
Also see...
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What’s the Difference Between a Partial Knee Replacement and a Total Knee Replacement?
Summit Orthopedics hip and knee reconstruction specialist Michael Baer, M.D., explains the difference between partial and total knee replacement surgery.
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How Can I Get the Best Result from My Total Knee Replacement?
We spoke with Summit sports medicine surgeon Mikhail Klimstra, M.D., about what you can do to get the best result from your total knee replacement.
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What Does Outpatient Joint Replacement Mean?
Orthopedic surgeon and hip and knee replacement specialist Kevin Lindgren, M.D., discusses the trend toward outpatient joint replacement and what patients can expect.