Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Winter 2018

7 ways to ward off knee problems 1 Watch the scale. Extra pounds put pressure on your knees. 2 Wear shoes that fit. Make sure they’re in good con- dition too. 3 Avoid running on hard surfaces like concrete. Try grass or a synthetic track instead. 4 Go easy. Don’t suddenly ramp up the intensity of your workouts. 5 Strengthen your leg muscles. Try walking up stairs, riding a stationary bike or working out with weights. 6 Warm up before play- ing sports. Stretch the muscles in the back and front of your thighs. 7 Don’t overdo it. If you experience knee pain when exercising, stop and cool down. Sources: Arthritis Foundation; National Institutes of Health ADViCE ABOUT KNEES Some NEED- TO- KNOW 4 HEALTH BEAT Orthopedics