Knee Pain: The Self-Help Guide
"The knee is a complex hinge designed by Mother Nature," writes John Garrett, M.D., one of America's most prominent knee surgeons, inKnee Pain: The Self-Help Guide. The knee absorbs shock, is strong and flexible, and lets you jump, run, and change directions at the same time--when it's working properly. Unfortunately, the knee is the most commonly injured joint, representing 26 percent of orthopedic business--more than the spine or hip.Knee Painis ideal for both athletes and baby boomers: it covers both knee injuries that are caused by trauma as well as those brought on by repetitive actions or common wear and tear. It aims to help people with knee trouble determine the cause of the pain and how to treat it without surgery (if possible), and informs patients what they should know if surgery is indicated. Fascinating illustrations of knees (fractured, torn, mended), knee procedures (tests, manipulations, exercises), and up-close-and-personal views of a variety of different surgeries are included. You'll get some information you might not expect from a knee book: advice to lose weight (excess weight stresses your knees); foods that aggravate arthritis; supplements; alternative treatments; recommended Web sites; and advice for gradually resuming activity after knee surgery or knee replacement. You also get more than 20 well-illustrated exercises that relieve pain and strengthen the knee.--Joan Price