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    Weekly Health e-Tip

    Taking Care of Your Joints

    Every time you bend over to pick up the morning paper, grab a glass out of the kitchen cupboard, or get in the car you are using your bones, muscles and joints. Joints occur where two bones meet. They make the skeleton flexible — without them, movement would be impossible. Therefore injury or disease to one of your joints can significantly impair the ability to do everyday tasks such as climbing up stairs or even walking the dog.

    Here are a few preventative measures you can take to protect your joints?

  • Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts pressure on the knees.
  • Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of exercise.
  • Slowly increase the force or duration of activity.
  • Don’t exert yourself beyond your level of fitness.
  • Stretch & warm-up before a physical activity or playing a sport.
  • Wear shoes that fit and are in good condition.
  • Cool down after a sport with gentle sustained stretches.
  • Tape or strap a vulnerable joint when necessary before physical activity.

    • First aid for sprains, strains and joint injuries:

  • Rest. Reduce your regular activities. If you’ve injured your foot, ankle, or knee, take weight off of it. A crutch can help. If your right foot or ankle is injured, use the crutch on the left side. If your left foot or ankle is injured, use the crutch on the right side.
  • Ice. Put an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes, four to eight times a day. You can use a cold pack or ice bag. You can also use a plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel. Take the ice off after 20 minutes to avoid cold injury. Avoid heat, alcohol or massage, which can exacerbate the swelling.
  • Compression. Put even pressure (compression) on the injured area to help reduce swelling. You can use an elastic wrap, special boot, air cast, or splint. Ask your doctor which one is best for your injury.
  • Elevation. Put the injured area on a pillow, at a level above your heart, to help reduce swelling.
  • Seek medical advice.

    Want to know more about joints and related therapies and procdures?

    Anatomy of a Joint
    Orthopaedic Tests and Procedures
    Akron General Orthopaedic Center

    Need a Doctor?
    Call our free Need-a-Physician Referral service at 330-344-AGMC (2462). Our friendly representatives can help match you with a primary care doctor or specialist in your area to meet your healthcare needs. You can also use our Find a Doctor feature to see a full listing of doctors who practice at Akron General.

    •   Date Updated: 23-JUL-2007

    Akron General Medical Center • 400 Wabash Avenue • Akron, OH 44307 • 330-344-6000 • 1-800-221-4601    © 2009 Akron General Health System

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