About 800,000 knee replacement surgeries are done in the U.S. each year with about one in every 12 people over the age of 25 that have replacements and approximately 5% of women over the age of 50.

However, the average age for replacement surgery is 65. From 2019 to 2020 there were 10 states with the highest number of replacements, including Washington as the highest and North Carolina at six on the list. Our other Carolina state, South Carolina, was three on the list.

The most common reason for surgery is osteoarthritis which is a breakdown of joint cartilage that can cause damage to the joints resulting in limitations in movement and pain. Medical conditions which include gout, infections and arthritis can also be contributing factors.

There are other causes of knee pain that do not include osteoarthritis. The most common problems attributed to knee pain are repetitive use, strained ligaments, cartilage tears and tendonitis.

Other injuries can include fractures to the patella, dislocation, and meniscus tear. Weight can be a contributing factor because excess weight puts more strain on the joints and the cartilage that protects the knees.

Additional weight increases the stress in joints in daily activities and use. Additional body fat can increase the chemicals in your blood that can inflame the joints.

There can be other factors that contribute to knee pain which can be your hips, glutes, calve and incorrect shoes. When we walk or run our weight is transferred from side to side as we alternate our feet and if the hips are tight, it does not allow proper rotation of the feet which puts stress on the knees.

Extended periods of sitting eventually lead to decreased movement of the hips in flexibility and muscle control. The knees also move from side to side and if one of the major glute muscles — the gluteus maximus — is weak or not moving correctly the result can be stress on the knees.

Tight calf muscles can cause tendon strain initiating pain in the knee. Improper footwear can also cause knee pain. Old shoes that have worn down soles and treads that are thinning can contribute to knee pain.

Wearing shoes that do not support your weight can be a contributing factor to knee pain. Wearing the wrong type of shoes can put stress on your knees and hips.

You might think that exercise can make your pain worse but activities that include stretching and low-impact activities such as swimming, rowing, weight lifting and walking do not put as much stress on the joints.

If you really like doing deep squats and lunges, lessening your range of motion will help with the intensity and stress on the joints, and putting a pad under your knees when doing floor exercises will help as a cushion.

Pain is an indicator that something is not right, and nobody knows your body like you do. It is important to make that appointment with a physician to see what the cause is. An early visit may result in your doing strengthening exercise, wearing different shoes and stretching.

It is possible that knee replacement can be avoided, genetics and weight loss notwithstanding. Exercise programs that can stretch and strengthen the muscles and soft tissues can be beneficial.

No one looks forward to having a knee replacement, but avoiding a visit to your physician is not the best alternative. Being proactive when you begin noticing pain and discomfort can be beneficial.

Live, love life and good knee health.