Fix that knee pain

MISALIGNMENT and increased weight are a big part of the issue with osteoarthritis of the knees, one of the most common causes of knee pain, say specialists. There is a higher prevalence of bow-leggedness among Asians, compared to Caucasians, and there's also quite a high prevalence of knee arthritis in Asia, says Thorvaldur Ingvarsson, medical advisor to Singapore's Inliven Center for Osteoarthritis Solutions.

But a new knee brace now available in Singapore could help, and delay the need for knee replacement surgery. Correcting small misalignment will do much to alleviate pain as well as reduce the pressure on the affected joint compartment, adds Christopher Goh, resident doctor at the centre who focuses on non-surgical management and treatment of knee osteoarthritis through rehabilitation, pain management, biomechanics and physical therapy.

"The main crux of arthritic problems is that mild misalignment gets worse if it is not corrected, and the pressure will gradually increase on the affected cartilage compartment of the knees," says Dr Goh, who adds that Asian society does a lot of squatting, which can exacerbate misalignment of knees.