Tuesday, 27 October 2020

Elderly Independence: Managing Knee and Hip Pain

Joint pain is one of the main reasons why a senior’s mobility may start to deteriorate. Did you know that, according to the British Journal of General Practice in the UK, chronic knee pain is much more common than chronic hip pain in the elderly, and yet a much higher percentage of hips are surgically replaced than knees!

When it comes to nurturing mobility amongst the elderly, a strong focus must remain on preserving the knees and hips, in particular. It is also vital that caregivers know how to assist senior loved ones in successfully managing hip and/or knee pain should it present itself. Read on for everything that you need to know.

What causes hip and knee pain?

Unless brought about as a result of an injury, most hip and knee pain is caused by years of wear and tear in relation to the ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. When the sac of skin that exists over the joint becomes inflamed, the individual will suffer from what is called ‘bursitis’. When the cartilage is damaged or swollen, they will be diagnosed with arthritis, which is especially prevalent in adults over the age of 50.

How to manage pain

Most importantly, the individual in question should try to remain as active and mobile as they can. Regular, low impact exercise is the secret to keeping the joints in good condition and helping to avoid the worsening of any existing joint pain. Examples of low impact exercises include walking, swimming, water aerobics, yoga, and Tai Chi.

Ensuring that your elderly loved one eats well and that their diet comprises of a decent balance of all the food groups is another technique for managing chronic pain. It is essential that they are getting enough calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and protein, in particular. Think dairy products, leafy greens, fatty fish, eggs, chickpeas, lentils, chicken, and plenty of fresh fruit.

Finally, educate yourself or your loved one’s live-in caregiver on how to care for a senior who has suffered a fall and is subsequently struggling with hip or knee pain. Minimise the effects of minor falls by following the RICE strategy:

• Rest: Keep your loved one off of their feet for a while during the time that you are implementing the strategy.
• Ice: Use ice or a cold compress to reduce swelling and ease pain.
• Compression: Wrap up the injured area using a bandage, if possible, to provide additional support. Just be careful not to wrap too tightly as this can prevent normal blood flow.
• Elevation: Keep the injured area above the level of the heart, if at all possible. This can aid in controlling pain.

If the injury does not ease after following this strategy for a few days, seek medical attention.

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