Real Fitness Equipment™ Blog
Why Knee Problems Are So Common And How The Real Runner Can Help
Avid runners might be accustomed to the response “Oh, I’d love to join you but it hurts my knees too much” when they ask a buddy if they would like to join them on yet another run. Though completely understandable, it’s a bummer to hear this answer so commonly when encouraging your peers to try and get out and do active things with you. So if people’s knees are really holding them back from doing high-impact activities and even utilizing a full range of motion, we believe that this warrants a discussion about the importance of knees and why knee problems are just so common for so many people.
Can You Really Run Without Knee Pain?
With our low-impact running simulator, The Real Runner allows you to reap all of the benefits of running and high-intensity cardio without all of the drawbacks associated with high-impact stress. So, areas of your body that are sensitive to high-impact activities like running are spared by using our running machine, and you’ll even get a great core workout due to the clever design of our product.
Want to learn more about The Real Runner? Check it out here. Now, let’s dive into our conversation about knees in today’s blog post.
Knee Pain And An Active Lifestyle
It’s hardly any secret that most people experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Sports, exercise and other activities can cause muscle strains, tendonitis, and more serious injuries to your ligaments and cartilage. For some, knee pain can be so severe that it limits daily activities, and for others, mild knee pain might be a chronic hindrance to the active lifestyle they desire. Whatever the case is when it comes to knee pain, the problem shouldn’t be ignored.
The knees provide support for the body. The knees allow the legs to bend and straighten, which is crucial in everyday life and especially in sports or active movement. Both flexibility and stability in the knees are needed in order to do things like stand, walk, crouch, jump, and turn. There are other parts of the body that help the knees do their job, and those parts include the bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These parts of the body, while they support your knees, also cause severe knee pain for many people.
Knee Ligament Injuries
Injuries to the knee ligaments can be intensely debilitating and painful. The ligaments, one of the parts of your body that works with your knees, actually connect your thigh bone to your lower leg bones. Your ligaments also hold your bones together and keep your knees stable. Unfortunately, knee ligament sprains are very common sports-related injuries and can occur to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL).
Knee Cartilage Tears
As you can imagine, tearing cartilage on the knee is not fun. Cartilage is a semi-hard (tough, but flexible) tissue that covers the end of your bones. Knee cartilage comprises the two menisci on either side of the joint: the medial meniscus, located on the inside of the knee, and the lateral meniscus, positioned on the outside of the knee. The term “meniscus tear” is (unfortunately) somewhat common, and knee cartilage tears like these typically require surgery.
Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
Many people with knee problems struggle with osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis. This is a progressive wearing of the cartilage in the knee joint and occurs primarily in individuals 50 years of age and older. Osteoarthritis of the knee causes pain, limited range of motion, stiffness of the knee, swelling of the joint, tenderness, deformity and general weakness.
Causes of osteoarthritis include things like age, weight, genetics, previous injuries, infections and illness (like a tumor or gout). As you can imagine, osteoarthritis can also be caused by sports-related injuries and wear and tear resulting from physical work in occupations, such as construction and manufacturing.
Addressing Knee Pain
Doctors diagnose arthritis and other knee problems by using x-rays and a physical evaluation. You will be asked about your pain level, knee flexibility, and function as well as general mobility. By using a series of special tests, medical professionals can identify the type of arthritis that’s affecting your knee.
Knee pain usually becomes worse as arthritis progresses. Common treatments for arthritis in the knee include weight loss, strengthening exercises, wrapping, and pain relievers like acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly known as NSAIDs. While osteoarthritis is the most common surgical patient diagnosis, those with severe pain from any type of arthritis may benefit from surgery, including a partial or total knee replacement. It’s crucial to discuss and explore all possible treatment options with your doctor before opting for surgery.
Appreciating The Knees And All That They Do
When you really sit down (thanks to your knees) and give it some thought, your knees really are an incredible part of your body, but they’re also sensitive and rather injury-prone, especially when it comes to high-impact sports activities like running. In light of all these knee problems, The Real Runner has the solution…
Give Your Knees A Break And Continue Running!
If the constant impact on your knees and body bothers you when you attempt to run, be bothered no more! The Real Runner is proud to deliver an effective high-intensity cardio solution that saves your knees and your body while strengthening your core. Athletes, coaches, and people of all types are continually amazed at their performance with the help of our high-intensity running machine, and we want you to be next! Shop The Real Runner now.