MetroSouth Medical Center is offering a complimentary tool kit for women who want to strengthen their hamstring/quads to prevent or eliminate knee pain. The free kit consists of a therapeutic strengthening band and a helpful card that explains five simple, at-home exercises.
The “Knee Pain Loves Women” toolkit is available by emailing us at info@metrosouthmedicalcenter.com and supplying your NAME and MAILING ADDRESS or the gift shop in the MetroSouteh Medical Center main lobby. The video at http://healthconnect.metrosouthmedicalcenter.com/2010/03/metrosouth-helping-women-with-knee-pain/ further demonstrates the appropriate technique for using these exercises.
A rising number of women struggle with osteoarthritis, the most common source of knee pain in women. Recent studies show that women are struck by knee pain more frequently than their male counterparts. In fact, 60% of the 27 million Americans with osteoarthritis are women and approximately two-thirds of all knee replacements are performed on women. Experts point to weight loss and strengthening exercises for warding off osteoarthritis-induced knee pain. A new study by researchers at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics found that thigh muscle strength does predict incidence of painful or stiff knee osteoarthritis. Women with the strongest quadriceps muscles appeared to be protected against the development of knee osteoarthritis symptoms. The simple exercises described in the toolkit and video were developed by a MetroSouth Medical Center physical therapist and are specifically designed for women with knee pain.
“Women tend to have more knee pain than men do, “explains Dr. Miranda Huffman, a MetroSouth family medicine doctor. “In general, women have less cartilage that cushions the knee and after menopause, the loss of estrogen causes cartilage to break down faster.”
All women who experience knee pain or believe they are at risk for developing knee pain are invited to take advantage of the free toolkit offer. Please email us at info@metrosouthmedicalcenter.com with your NAME and MAILING ADDRESS to request your free toolkit.
