Can You Avoid Knee Surgery? Here’s How!

Preventing knee surgery by age 70 often comes down to maintaining joint health, reducing strain, and addressing issues early. Here are five key ways to help preserve knee function and avoid surgery:

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight – Extra weight increases stress on the knee joints, leading to wear and tear. Every pound of excess weight adds about four pounds of pressure on the knees, so maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of osteoarthritis and cartilage damage.

2. Strengthen the Muscles Around the Knee – Strong quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes provide better support and stability for the knee. Exercises like squats, lunges, leg presses, and resistance band workouts help protect the joints.

3. Improve Joint Mobility and Flexibility – Stiff joints are more prone to injury. Regular stretching, yoga, or mobility drills can help keep the knees limber and reduce strain.

4. Choose Low-Impact Exercise – Running and high-impact activities can wear down cartilage over time. Activities like swimming, cycling, rowing, and walking provide cardiovascular benefits while reducing knee stress.

5. Address Knee Pain Early – Ignoring knee discomfort can lead to worsening damage. Seeking physical therapy, using proper footwear, correcting posture, and considering interventions like knee braces or anti-inflammatory treatments can prevent long-term damage.

By incorporating these habits into daily life, you can significantly reduce the risk of needing knee surgery later on.