Active living seniors may consider their knees the key to balance

Many active living seniors may discover they are suffering injuries because of accidental falls. As a person ages, their cartilage wears down and balance becomes difficult.


Now, new studies have revealed that active living seniors who take care of their knees may be more able to prevent unnecessary trauma.


"Balance is critical to the elderly, especially those with knee problems," Dr Leonid Kandel, an orthopedic surgeon at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Jerusalem, said in a press release from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The study followed a group of seniors who underwent knee replacements. After one year, individuals who had the surgery reported better balance skills than those who hadn't.


"This study reinforced our hypothesis about how an osteoarthritic patient's function is compromised, not only due to pain but also by balance," Dr Kandel said.


According to the Center for Disease Control, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among the elderly. Retirement living seniors should remember that taking care of their knees can prevent serious harm and help them maintain active lives.




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