Can Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Change the Way Your Knee Ages?
Our knees endure a lot for years and years. By the time most people reach 40 or 50, they may feel a little stiffness or a twitch after activity, like a long walk. New studies show how you move and how you treat pain in early life can have a definite impact on how your knees will age. This treatment usually comes from physical therapy. Physical therapy for knee pain doesn’t just help you recover from a flare; it can also shape the long-term health of your joint. What Happens to Your Knees as You Age? As you age, less synovial fluid is available to lubricate the joint, and there is increased friction when it is used. But these muscles, especially in the knee area- the quadriceps and hamstrings- tend to weaken without regular exercise. This increases the impact on the knee but not on the muscles. Over time, little by little, the ligaments become less flexible, and the knee doesn’t feel as stable, especially when turning fast or on rough surfaces. How Does Movement Affect Long-Term K...