Joint health advice
Discover our bank of expert advice to improve your hip and knee health, whether you’ve had an injury, are experiencing joint pain or want to protect your joint health for the future.
Keeping your joints healthy
Joint pain isn't an inevitable part of ageing. While genetics can play a part in whether you'll experience joint deterioration, your lifestyle can have a huge effect on maintaining joint health.
Lighten the load
The heavier you are, the more load your joints bear and the faster they will wear out. Even small changes can have an impact - losing just one stone
will take around seven stone off your knee joint with every step.
Exercise, but take it easy
Gentle exercise and stretches focused on your hips and knees can make a big difference to your ability to avoid and recover from injury and reduce wear and tear on the joints.
Eat healthy
Antioxidants are thought to slow the progression of arthritis inflammation, Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties and Omega-3 has been linked to reduced joint pain and stiffness.
Exercise for stronger joints
Despite the common belief that exercise is bad for your joints, studies have shown that it can help to build healthy cartilage and support the joints, keeping them stronger for longer.
What can exercise do for your joints?
- ✓ Reduce your risk of injury
✓ Reduce pain
✓ Increase flexibility
✓ Reduce excess weight and stress on your joints
✓ Strengthen the joints.
Diagnosing osteoarthritis
Soreness, swelling or aching in the joints could be a sign of osteoarthritis.
The best way to really know the state of your joints is to speak to a specialist and have an x-ray. Any pain should be investigated by a medical professional. Here are the signs to look for that might mean you need professional help:
- Hip or groin pain localised between your hip and knee
- Stiffness when moving and using your joints
- Coming up short, and unable to walk your normal distances
- Unable to stand on your problem leg for longer than a minute.
Worried about radiation in medical scans?
Treatment without surgery
“Three months ago I was finding it difficult to walk very far and to sleep due to pain. This has almost gone. I'm not waking at night, so now get a good night's sleep, I'm also walking a lot better.”
Had joint pain for more than six months?
If you need surgery
Accidents and osteoarthritis can leave your joints worn out and very painful. If you've experienced long-term pain or an injury, speak to your doctor to find out whether surgery could be the right route for you.
Recovering from surgery
A new hip or knee can be a new lease on life, but to make hip and knee replacements successful, you should begin your recovery as soon as you’re able. Soon after your operation, a physiotherapist will visit you on the ward to begin your recovery.
Do little, often
Full recovery takes around 9-12 months. With time, you'll notice a difference.
Listen to your body
You know your own body. If you don't feel right, talk to your consultant.
Be aware of DVT
Deep vein thrombosis is a rare side-effect of surgery. If your calf becomes swollen, seek medical advice fast.
Stay cool
Use an ice pack to decrease any pain and knee swelling (we usually give you Cryocuff to take home)
Real-life recovery stories
When you’ve been living with joint pain, it can be hard to imagine what a life without pain is like. Discover some of our inspirational recovery stories:
Recovered from your joint replacement surgery?
Make the move from rehab to prehab to prevent any future injuries.