The Care and Feeding of Your Knees

ยฉ Stockbyte/Thinkstockโ€œKnee pain is one of the top complaints in my clinic,โ€ says John R. Tongue, MD, vice president of

Knee Painยฉ Stockbyte/Thinkstockโ€œKnee pain is one of the top complaints in my clinic,โ€ says John R. Tongue, MD, vice president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. But he knows what will help keep you out of his office.

Best Footwear? Cushioned shoes
โ€œWith every step you take, the impact on your knees is two to three times your body weight,โ€ says Dr. Tongue. โ€œThe more cushioning your shoe has, the better it absorbs the shock.โ€ Replace walking shoes every 500 miles or at least once a year.

Best Money-Saving Move? Not buying glucosamine and chondroitin
A recent review of ten studies found that the supplements didnโ€™t ease knee pain any better than a placebo. Still, Dr. Tongue says, some patients swear the pills help. โ€œThe good thing is that I donโ€™t know of any side effects other than thinning your wallet.โ€

Best Exercise? Cycling
Your kneecap should slide smoothly in a groove at the bottom of your thighbone; if it doesnโ€™t track right, itโ€™ll rub the side of the groove. Try a stationary bike to safely strengthen the muscle on the inside of your knee and keep your kneecap centered.

See also: Beat the Pain of Arthritis

Popular Videos

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest