What is the first thing that you do when you are experiencing knee pain? You take some rest, isn't it? Well, that's what most people with Arthritis do. There is a common misbelief that rest can help to alleviate the pain associated with arthritis. It might hold some relevance in a few cases but not unless your doctor has pointed towards the need for it. In the majority of the cases, it has been found that walking can significantly help to relieve the pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with knee arthritis. It is due to this very reason that experts from the leading orthopaedics hospital in Pune recommend the patient to go out for morning and evening walks on a regular basis. It doesn't really matter what pace you are working at, as long as you are following the practice religiously.

Knee Arthritis is a very common degenerative disease caused by the wear and tear of the knee joint. It affects millions of people worldwide and can severely affect the quality of the patient's life by limiting the activities in which they can participate. The condition is progressive and if proper measures are not taken, the pain can worsen gradually. At this point, the patient may also need surgery. The best orthopaedics treatment hospital in Mumbai offers all kinds of surgeries for the effective management of knee arthritis. However, surgery is not the first resort of treatment and there are certainly other options as well. These include medication and non-pharmacological modalities, like physical therapy and walking.

If you are wondering how walking can help to ease your knee joint pain, it is pertinent to note that there is not just one reason but many reasons for the same. Walking can effectively help to manage the arthritis symptoms and slow down further degeneration as well.

Walking on a regular basis can help you

• Keep your cartilage healthy - The knee joint is a highly mobile joint, just like the hip joint. As such, it contains a considerable amount of cartilage, to enable free mobility. What is important to note here is that, unlike many other parts of your body, the cartilage does not receive a constant blood supply. Rather, it relies on the synovial fluids that cushion the bone ends. When you walk, it becomes easier for the cartilage to feed on this fluid.
• Enhance your muscle strength - We all know that moving can help to enhance muscle strength and even help you to grow more muscles. It is due to this very reason that many people go to the gym for building muscles. Different exercises work by strengthening muscles in different parts of the body and walking has proven to be very beneficial for the muscles in your lower limbs. The more you walk, the more your muscles are going to gain strength.
• Support healthy weight - Excess body weight can only add to your problems if you have knee arthritis. The more you weigh, the more strain on your knees. Excessive strain means increased wear and tear, which can further aggravate the condition of your joints. Going out for regular work can help you to lose those extra pounds, and bring your weight under control. These will in turn help to lower the rate of joint degeneration and help you to manage the pain.

Setting your own routine

By now, you must have understood how walking can help people with arthritic knees. But there are a few more things that should be taken care of. When you are setting your walking routine, make sure you start slow and gradually increase your pace. It is important to push your limits but you'll have to do it gradually, rather than crossing all limits in the first go.

Always choose a soft surface for taking a stroll and never forget to stretch prior to your walk. Consistency is the key and as long as you are following your daily routine religiously, you don't have to worry about the pain and other symptoms. Start with smaller goals and increase speed and incline as time passes by. Consult the best doctor in Pune to know how walking can help your joints.