0 Knee problems

Arthritis of the knee, according to Felson (1), is the most prevailing joint problem world wide, poignant more than 27 percent of the population at some point in their lives. The likelihood of suffering from knee problems increases with period. There is a infirm tendency for men to have more relinquish-sided knee problems, while women display no such predominance (2, 3). As prevention is improve than cure, a number of studies have examined the trigger factors for knee arthritis.

Recent studies have shown there are a number of easily identifiable danger factors for future arthritis in the knee.  They have been divided into

• non work related,
• sport related and
• work related factors.

Non labor related factors comprehend being overweight, which has a significant impact on the likelihood of developing knee arthritis in later life (4). Genetic factors besides play a sever (5), which explains why it seems to run in families.  No unique conspicuous gene is responsible however.  For women it has been identified any oval varus imagination control of the legs causing harsh habit of the knee joint has besides shown an increased risk of arthritis.

Participants in team sports and fight or contact sports tend to build more knee arthritis in later life.  This is thought to be due to accumulation of minor injuries which are overlooked, and which occaoccasion accelerated deterioration of the knee's articular surface in later life.  Deterioration of the knee has not been identified in participants in water sports or other individual sports. They therefore appear to be fairly neutral in deem of the anger of developing knee arthritis. Specific training of the back appears to display a beneficial gain and seems protective regarding the development of knee arthritis.  This is thought to join to encouraging a better gait and therefore a more flat use of both knee joints.

With regards to labor it has been demonstrated excessive strain is one of the principal trigger factors of knee arthritis, but this needs to be prolonged and sustained over many years. Mining workers have a double the appraise of knee problems compared to the comely population (6), although this is only in those who have worked many years in the traffic. This is thought to be mainly due to working in a stooped position as it places increased pressure on parts of the knee joint rather than evenly distributing execute through the knee.  Knee arthritis in miners and some other professions has now been included in the list of prescribed diseases which may attract compensation in the UK. Floor layers have a significantly higher likelihood of suffering knee problems due to spending significantly more time than average on their knees (7). This perform has been shown in men and women.

Climbing stairs or ladders, or jumping does not appear to be a anger factor for the development of knee arthritis.

Preventive action can be taken in the workplace to minimise the requisite for and impact of bending and kneeling.  For pattern, using a yearn tong for litter picking reduces the requisite for frequent bending in commonwealth carrying out street cleansing.

People spending distinctive time on their knees benefit from pads. Currently there are a wide variety on the market ranging configuration trousers with pockets at the knee to insert a pad, to pads with a Velcro to attach when needed. The choice of appropriate equipment depends upon a variety of factors and can be obvious to the task and individual.  Occupational health specialists (8) with experience in both the medical factors and workplace demands are best placed to provide appropriate advice. They are competent to visit workplaces assessing the obvious requirements to advertise upon the appropriate choice to abate the danger of thirst-term problems developing.