Knees are prone to injury, arthritis, and pain. The usual notion is that only the elderlies experience such pain on the knee. However, a number of younger people are also experiencing knee pain for various reasons, such as those who are into high-impact sports and, on the other spectrum, those who live a sedentary lifestyle.
You have to realize that the knees carry a great deal of stress, from doing simple tasks like walking and standing up to carrying heavy loads, kneeling, and running. All these activities affect the knee that absorbs the impact of these movements.
1. Get to Know Your Knees
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As mentioned, the knee, although it may seem vulnerable, it is resilient to stress and impact. This joint has these compositions:
- Femur - This is the upper leg bone, also called thigh bone
- Patella - also known as the kneecap, is attached to the lower bottom of the femur.
- Fabia - the more prominent bone at the lower leg, which is also called shinbone.
Cartilages at every end of these bones cushion the knee and serve as shock absorbers. However, these are just the essential parts of the knee. It still has ligaments, tendons surrounding, membranes, and fluid surrounding the knee.
2. Typical Knee Problems
As we age, it is only natural that the human body slowly deteriorates, including the knee. Nonetheless, aging is not the only factor for knee pain and problems. It can be due to an underlying condition. It can also be caused by overuse or sudden injury.
Here are common knee problems you may encounter:
Tendonitis
Running, cycling, or jumping can cause inflammation of the tendon due to overuse. This injury may occur due to force of gravity as you hit the ground after a jump or continuous movement with much stress on the knees.
Arthritiss
There are several kinds of arthritis, and the most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a gradual deterioration of the cartilage in the joints. This type of arthritis usually affects older and middle-aged people. It may also occur in people who are overweight or with repeated injuries.
Meanwhile, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when knee cartilage is maimed and becomes inflamed. This type of arthritis may occur at an earlier age.
Strained or sprained knee ligaments
This injury is due to a concussion to the knee. It would usually include swelling, pain, and difficulty standing and walking.
Torn cartilage
Knee trauma can tear the pad of connective tissues (menisci), which acts as a cushion.
3. Do Compression Socks Help With Knee Pain
A recommended therapy for knee pain or injuries is called RICE which stands for rest, ice, compress, and elevate. So the short answer is, “YES!” Compression is one of the methods used for knee problems.
The applied pressure from compression socks relieves knee pain, especially if there is swelling. Remember that there is a fluid build-up around the area when there’s swelling. So when compression is applied, it helps with fluid drainage, thus easing the swelling.
4. How Do Compression Sleeves Work for Knee Pain
Compression sleeves have been around for quite a long time; however, it is commonly overlooked due to their simplicity. Usually, this would only be used by those who had previously given medical advice or by sports enthusiasts or are living an active lifestyle.
But no matter how simple this solution may be for knee pain, it actually does wonders as a treatment for pain relief. Other than keeping the fluid around the knees moving and boosting blood circulation, it also supports the knees by keeping them in a stable position.
You need to remember that when you injure a body part, your immune system acts as an army that sends hormones, oxygen-rich blood, fluids, and nutrients for healing. This is why there is pain and inflammation at the injured area of the body, and for this instance, the knee.
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Wearing knee compression sleeves provides support and therapy treatment through concentrated pressure. However, it will be more effective if the compression sleeves are medical-grade between 20=30 mmHg.
Do not be conflicted if compression is good for knee pain. There are compression gears available in the market or prescribed by doctors to address your knee pain. All you have to do is consult a healthcare professional or do a little research about your condition.
What is important is for you to know your symptoms and be properly guided as to which compression gear to use. Will it be compression socks, stockings, or sleeves?