Week 3: How to get your knees back in the game
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It's no surprise that golf places a great deal of stress on the knees. Knee injuries are one of the most common health problems faced by both amateur and professional golfers alike, and the more power in the swing, the more strain on the knees. Every golfer knows that in order to powerfully hit the golf ball, you must maintain a firm base with your lower body and effectively transfer your weight from your back foot to your front, which places tremendous stress on the knee. It is for this reason that the front knee takes quite a beating during a swing. Studies show that the force placed on the front knee during a swing can be 4.5 times a person's body weight, whereas jogging only exerts a force of 4.3 times a person's body weight. (http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/19/sports/sp-knee19)During the downswing and into the follow-through, the knee bears the brunt of the force.
If you are already experiencing knee pain, there are several possible causes. One of the most common is osteoarthritis (OA), which affects more than 20 million Americans, and is the number one cause of disability in the United States. (http://www.orthovisc.com/about-knee-pain/about) OA of the knee is a condition in which your knee's natural lubricant starts to break down. Think of joint fluid -- hyaluronic acid -- as the knee's shock absorber. If it's not working properly, you start to feel more pain and discomfort when you move your knee. Over time, as joint fluid continues to break down, cartilage wears away and bones may even start to rub against each other, causing increased pain and swelling.
If you do have OA of the knee, early action is key to staying active and getting your knees back on course. There are several treatments that you and your doctor may consider. Exercise is an important tool in treating osteoarthritis, which will improve your health and may help minimize your OA symptoms. (http://beauproductions.com/golfswingsws/healthpages/knees.htm) Range-of-motion exercises (also called stretching or flexibility exercises) help maintain normal knee function by increasing and preserving mobility and flexibility. Strengthening exercises build up stronger muscles to help keep weak knees stable and comfortable, protecting them against further damage. Endurance training involves aerobic exercise that increases your heart rate for a prolonged period of time in order to strengthen the lungs and increase stamina.
Be sure to consult a physician before beginning any exercise program. If you experience pain at any time, stop right away.
A second strategy is weight reduction. Studies have found that the combination of weight loss and exercise is significantly better for patients with OA of the knee than either intervention alone. (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/475135) Researchers have also found that for each pound of body weight lost, there is a 4-pound reduction in knee joint stress among overweight and obese people with OA of the knee. (http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/news/20050629/small-weight-loss-takes-pressure-off-knee)
Two more treatments to consider are massage therapy and acupuncture. Researchers have also found that both of these could be viable options in treating OA of the knee, without major side effects. Massage may cut the pain and improve joint flexibility and circulation, (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/11/health/webmd/main2248477.shtml) while acupuncture has been found to be effective at reducing knee osteoarthritis pain and improving function. ( http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/news/20041019/acupuncture-helps-knee-osteoarthritis)
Other treatments your doctor might recommend include over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, and drugs that treat inflammation. However, if you're living with OA of the knee and you're not getting enough relief from any of the above, there is more you can do to help manage your knee pain and restore movement.
Various treatments exist, including non-surgical and non-drug options, such as ORTHOVISC®, which provides up to 6 months of knee pain relief. Made from ultra-pure natural hyaluronan, which is found in healthy joints, ORTHOVISC® is injected into the knee joint where it acts to replace your natural joint fluid, to help cushion, protect, and lubricate your knee.
Talk to your doctor to see if ORTHOVISC® is right for you.
Or visit our website at www.orthovisc.com for more information on how to maintain your knee health to help you keep playing the game you love.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
ORTHOVISC® is for patients who do not get adequate pain relief from simple pain relievers like acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy. ORTHOVISC® is not for use in people with known allergy to hyaluronate preparations, to gram bacterial proteins, with infections or skin diseases in the area of the injection site or joint. Common side effects include joint pain, back pain, headaches and pain or redness at the injection site.
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