Foods To Avoid If You Have Arthritis
Weve covered the positive, now the difficult part the foods that maybe you should limit if inflammation is a concern to you.
Yes, whilst some foods can help keep inflammation in check, others have been found to trigger it.
Certain food groups are thought to have inflammatory properties.
For example, refined carbohydrates , chips and other fried foods, fatty red meat, and high sugar food and drink.
Limiting these foods in your diet can have wide wellness benefits, including for some, improvements in joint health and the symptoms of arthritis.
By limiting certain foods in your diet, some people experience improvements in their arthritis symptoms, but unfortunately theres no definitive advice as experience will vary from person-to person, says Emily.
Theres also a lot of misinformation out there regarding diets for arthritis, which people should be wary of.
“For example, cutting out food groups for extended periods of time without knowing if they affect you personally as some advice suggests could mean your body runs short of important nutrients.
Instead, Emily suggests keeping a food diary as the best way to identify if a food intolerance is exacerbating inflammation and, as a result, increasing joint pain caused by arthritis.
Under the advice and guidance of your doctor or dietitian, you could leave out a certain food from your diet for a period of time probably a month minimum and note any changes in your arthritis symptoms, she suggests.
Best Ways To Treat Knee Arthritis Without Surgery
If youre like a lot of people over age 50, knees that have served you well for years gradually start hurting and swelling. They may start making cracking or popping sounds, and you may even feel a grinding sensation in your knees as you move. Most likely, youve developed arthritis of the knee, something we see quite often at Westchester Health.
The term arthritis simply means inflammation of a joint and is used to describe 200 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint, and other connective tissue. Healthy cartilage is shiny white and smooth, and its function is to allow joints to glide and move smoothly. Arthritis is the damage or loss of this cartilage between bones in a joint. When it is damaged, it results in pain and swelling.
Risk Factors For Knee Arthritis
- Age. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative, wear and tear condition. The older you are, the more likely you are to have worn-down knee joint cartilage.
- Heredity. Slight joint defects or double-jointedness and genetic defects may contribute to osteoarthritis in the knee.
- Excess weight. Being overweight or obese puts additional stress on the knees over time.
- Injury. Severe injury or repeated injury to the knee can lead to osteoarthritis years later.
- Overuse. Jobs and sports that require physically repetitive motions that place stress on the knee can increase risk for developing osteoarthritis.
- Gender. Postmenopausal women are more likely to have osteoarthritis than men.
- Autoimmune triggers. While the cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown, triggers of autoimmune diseases are still an area of active investigation.
- Developmental abnormalities. Deformities such as knock knee and bowleg place higher than normal stress on certain parts of the knee joint and can wear away cartilage in those areas.
- Other health conditions. People with diabetes, high cholesterol, hemochromatosis and vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have osteoarthritis.
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Use A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device
A TENS unit is a small, portable device that sends a low-voltage electric current. This current can inhibit some pain signals, which can provide short-term relief.
It has adhesive patches electrodes that are placed around the painful area. You can regulate the level of intensity of the current and customize it to your liking.
This makes for a great device to self-manage knee pain at home. But, make sure to talk to your doctor/physiotherapist before using it so they can teach you how to use it properly.
People with pacemakers shouldnt use TENS, though. It can interfere with the electrical function of the heart.
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Have A Bedtime Routine
This is incredibly important for treating knee osteoarthritis.
See, 50-80% of people with knee OA have sleep problems. This is a huge problem because good sleep has been shown to ease pain. It can even have protective effects on the knee cartilage.
On the other hand, a bad nights sleep can make you more sensitive to pain. Studies show that this can happen with as little as a 4-hour sleep restriction for 2 consecutive nights.
What does a bedtime routine have to do with this?
A bedtime routine can promote quality sleep. Over time, this sets up a rhythm that prepares your brain for rest, making it easier for you to fall asleep.
Now, the activities will vary. According to the Sleep Foundation, a good bedtime routine should be relaxing and start at the same time every day. Avoid using electronic devices.
A good example of a bedtime routine for knee osteoarthritis can look like this:
- Taking a warm bath
- Lower leg stretches in bed
- Aromatherapy or a soothing self-massage
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Sprains Strains And Injuries
Sprains and strains happen when tissues in the knee become stretched by unusual or increased activity, or an awkward twist or trip.
PRICE, described above, should lead to a reduction in pain and improved movement within days, and a gradual improvement over the weeks to follow.
A sprain often resolves itself, but some problems can require more treatment. For example, an injury to the pad of tissue in the knee joint known as the meniscus may require surgery.
Hyaluronic Acid Or Hyaluronate Injections
Also called viscosupplements, this treatment tries to restore synovial fluid, which is a slippery substance that helps lubricate joints.
A major component of synovial fluid is called hyaluronate. For more than 20 years, doctors have tried to restore mobility and curb pain by injecting hyaluronate directly into the knee joint.
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Find Relief For Your Knee Pain
Bottom line: Knee pain is not normal.
A medical evaluation with Dr. Van Thiel is the only way to know if your pain can be treated with home remedies or if you need professional orthopedic treatment. As a top provider of knee pain treatment in Rockford and Crystal Lake, Dr. Van Thiel will make sure your sore knees get the right treatment for quick and long-lasting pain relief. To schedule a knee evaluation, call the office at 398-9491 or schedule an appointment online.
Dr. Van Thiel treats patients from all over Wisconsin and Illinois including Rockford, Elgin, Huntley, Dekalb, Crystal Lake, Barrington, McHenry, Beloit and Algonquin.
These Low Impact Exercises Could Help With Joint Pain:
- Cycling can give you a good workout, is gentle on your joints and you can enjoy it with all the family
- Swimming is easy on the joints too and it also works all the muscles in your body, so can help keep you in shape too
- Using weights or resistance bands can help boost the muscles around your joints, helping to make them stronger and more stable
- Yoga or Pilates can also help strengthen your joints and maintain mobility
For strengthening exercises, start with as many repetitions you can comfortably do and then build up gradually. When doing exercises, slowly move as far as you can until you feel a stretch in the muscles around the joints. Then hold still in the position, aiming for 20 seconds.
Exercise 1 – Sit on a chair and using one leg at a time, pull your toes up, tighten your thigh muscle and straighten your knee.
Exercise 2 – Stand in front of a chair and hold on with both hands for support. Slowly crouch keeping your back straight and heels on the floor.
Exercise 3 – Sit with your knees bent and feet together. Press your knees down towards the floor, using your hands as needed.
Exercise 4 – Lie on your back. Pull each knee in turn to your chest, keeping your other leg straight.
Don’t forget, if you have arthritis, it’s advisable to check with your GP before starting any new exercises.
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How To Treat Arthritis In The Knees
This article was medically reviewed by Troy A. Miles, MD. Dr. Miles is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Adult Joint Reconstruction in California. He received his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, followed by a residency at the Oregon Health & Science University and fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgery, and the North Pacific Orthopaedic Society.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 63,035 times.
Research suggests that treatment may slow down arthritis and relieve your symptoms, though there’s no cure for it.XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source Arthritis occurs when your joint becomes inflamed, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in your joint wears away, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where your body attacks your joints. Experts say arthritis in the knee is very common because it’s a weight-bearing joint, but you can get arthritis in any joint.XResearch source Although arthritis may interfere with your life, you may be able to manage your condition.
If You Think You Have Arthritis In One Or Both Of Your Knees Come See Us
If you are experiencing pain, swelling and/or stiffness in your knee, please call 232-1919 to make an appointment with one of our Westchester Health rheumatologists or Internal Medicine specialists. If you do in fact have knee arthritis, we can determine the course of action that will give you the best possible outcome. Whenever, wherever you need us, were here for you.
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How Can I Cure Knee Osteoarthritis Naturally
Knee osteoarthritis cant be cured. This degenerative process is irreversible. But, there are several natural treatments for knee osteoarthritis symptoms.
They can improve your quality of life. And in the best-case scenario, they can help you delay your need for surgery.
Related:How do you know if its time for knee surgery?
What Is Arthritis Of The Knee
Arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints. It can affect the largest and strongest joints in your body. Its common in knees. Arthritis of the knee can be a serious, debilitating disease.
Although there is no cure for knee arthritis, there are steps you can take that might ease your symptoms and potentially slow the progression of your disease.
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Help For Arthritic Knees
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of pain and disability in knees. In the knee joint, smooth articulate cartilage, called surface cartilage, covers the ends of the femur and tibia . Between the two bones sits a second type of cartilage, called menisci, which acts as a shock absorber. Joint fluid also lubricates the knee joint.
Osteoarthritis starts as the lack or loss of surface cartilage, progressively involving the surrounding bone, tissues and synovial fluid. In OA, your knee cartilage may thin in spots or disappear completely, resulting in areas of exposed bone.
X-rays, MRI and knee arthroscopy can help you and your doctor to determine the right treatment plan, which may include these noninvasive options.
How To Treat Arthritis Pain Naturally At Home
Learning how to protect and treat your joints is key to natural arthritis care. For example, the right shoes and a cane can help with any worsening pain in the feet, knees, and hips. There is also a market for specially designed gadgets that help seniors open jars and bottles or turn doorknobs with ease. The following lifestyle habits are also key to caring for arthritis:
- Getting plenty of rest
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Controlling weight
There are many natural remedies for arthritic pain. Comfort can even be found by applying heat or cold, soaking in a warm saltwater bath, or swimming in a heated pool. Treatments like acupuncture, massage, or meditation have also proven to alleviate some pain and symptoms related to arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
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What Are The Types Of Arthritis Of The Knee
There are around 100 types of arthritis. The most common types that might affect your knees include:
- Osteoarthritis is the most common of the types on this list. Osteoarthritis wears away your cartilage the cushioning between the three bones of your knee joint. Without that protection, your bones rub against each other. This can cause pain, stiffness and limited movement. It can also lead to the development of bone spurs. Osteoarthritis gets worse as time passes.
- Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of osteoarthritis. The cartilage starts thinning after trauma to your knee . Your bones rub together, and that causes the same symptoms as osteoarthritis: pain, stiffness and limited movement. Your knee arthritis symptoms might not start until years after the trauma.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. A healthy immune system causes inflammation when it’s trying to protect you from an infection, injury, toxin or another foreign invader. The inflammatory response is one way your body protects itself. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you have an unhealthy immune system that triggers inflammation in your joints even though theres no foreign invader. The inflammation causes pain, stiffness and swelling of the synovial membrane, which can also wear away your cartilage.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate
This draws on the same concept as MSCs. Experts take cells from your body and use them to stimulate the healing process inside your knee.
The advantage is bone marrow may be easier to obtain than MSCs, and also contains other substances involved in promoting cartilage regrowth and calming inflammation.
While still a new approach, a review in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found âgood to excellent overall outcomesâ from 11 studies. The researchers noted that that some trials were tougher than others. So they recommended that the treatment be used cautiously since a lot is still unknown.
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How Can I Prevent Knee Arthritis
There are things you can do to reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis in your knees. The less stress you put on your joints, the less likely they are to wear out prematurely. Try to:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Rest if joint pain starts to bother you
- Start new activities slowly and safely until you know how your body will react
When to seek treatment for your arthritis
Arthritis doesnt have to spell the end of an active life. If you are experiencing worrisome symptoms or persistent pain, the renowned arthritis specialists at Summit Orthopedics can help. We work with you to confirm a diagnosis and develop an appropriate conservative treatment plan. If nonsurgical treatments fail to support your lifestyle goals, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons will consult with you and discuss appropriate surgical options. Summit is home to innovative joint replacement options. Our Vadnais Heights Surgery Center is one of a select few nationally to receive The Joint Commissions Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.
Start your journey to healthier joints. Find your arthritis expert, request an appointment online, or call us at 9685201 to schedule a consultation.
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Where Can Arthritis Occur In The Knee
Cartilage loss can occur between the thighbone and the shinbone in the medial portion , lateral portion and under the kneecap.
- Thinning of the cartilage under the kneecap is called patellofemoral arthritis .
- Some patients have cartilage loss in one, two or all of these areas. When all three areas are affected, this is called tricompartmental arthritis.
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How To Treat Osteoarthritis With Massage Therapy
One hour of massage each week for at least eight weeks has been shown to be a treatment for osteoarthritis and relieve arthritis pain and stiffness as well as increase mobility, according to data from an article published in June 2015 in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Muscles that spasm around the joints in osteoarthritis can be soothed using massage therapy, Altman says. The massage therapist lightly strokes or kneads the sore muscles, which can stimulate blood flow and make a stressed area become more warm and relaxed.
Be sure to see only massage therapists who have experience treating people with osteoarthritis, because arthritic joints are very sensitive and must be handled with care. Ask your doctor for a referral for this natural treatment for arthritis.
What To Eat And Not Eat
What to Avoid
These are all well-known triggers of inflammation and problematic for arthritis suffers. Cut out or cut back each week:
- Red meat
- French fries and other fried foods
- Sugar and processed foods such as packaged cookies and crackers.
- White bread and pasta
Put these foods on your next shopping list!
- Omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish, such as salmon and tuna
- Brazil nuts and Sunflower Seeds which have S-adenosyl-methionine, a chemical shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties
- Dark green leafy vegetables high in vitamin K which helps body inflamation and antioxidants, such as broccoli, kale, and spinach.
- Vegetables rich in glutathione including broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes and purslane. Fruits with healthy amounts include avocados, grapefruit, oranges, peaches and watermelon.
- Canola and olive oil. Similar to fish, olive oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Pure olive oil also contains oleocanthal, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Garlic and onions which help keep inflammation at bay.
- Red kidney beans and pinto beans are excellent sources of fiber and phytonutrients, which may help reduce inflammation.
- Celery, which has two dozen antiinflammatory compounds
- Rosemary , which has antioxidants that help prevent aging in cells
Do you have any tips or tricks that help your arthritis? Let us know below!
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