Knee Osteoarthritis: A Silent Threat That Thai Elderly Should Not Overlook
Currently, Thailand is fully entering an aging society, making health issues a matter of great importance, especially "knee osteoarthritis," which is considered a silent threat that directly affects the daily lives of many elderly people.
Knee osteoarthritis is caused by the degeneration of cartilage in the knee joint as one ages. This causes patients to feel knee pain when moving, such as walking, climbing stairs, or even sitting down and standing up. If left untreated, the pain will intensify, potentially making daily life difficult.
Experts recommend that knee care should begin with behavioral adjustments, such as controlling body weight to reduce the burden on the knee joints, engaging in appropriate and moderate exercise, and avoiding postures that require bending the knees or squatting for long periods, all of which help to slow down joint degeneration.
There are many treatment methods available today, ranging from physical therapy and medication under medical supervision to surgery in severe cases. Therefore, patients should not suffer in silence but should consult a doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis and plan treatment early on.
Taking proper care of knee health not only helps reduce pain but also allows the elderly to move with agility and enjoy a better quality of life. Recognizing this silent threat is the key to becoming a healthy senior in the future.