Osteoarthritis of the knee, also called age-related arthritis, is a disease in which degenerative changes in joint cartilage lead to cartilage loss and destruction, accompanied by a periarticular osteophytic reaction. As we age, the joints naturally age, especially the cartilage at the joints (cartilage acts like a spring cushion between joints, relieving the pressure between joints and reducing the friction between joints), and its elasticity and lubrication follow, and the ability to regulate the pressure between joints becomes weaker, so middle-aged and elderly people feel inflexible in their legs and feet. In the early stage, knee osteoarthritis only affects the synovial membrane and causes slight damage to the cartilage; in the middle stage, the knee cartilage is destroyed and the bone essence begins to be exposed; in the late stage, the cartilage and bone of the knee are severely diseased, and even the bone essence is completely exposed, thus endangering human health. Eight out of ten patients with age-related arthritis are women. This is related to women’s own body structure. After menopause, women’s estrogen levels drop significantly, and estrogen has a protective effect on cartilage. The decrease in estrogen levels makes joint cartilage metabolism weaken, leading to cartilage fragility and thus degenerative changes. In addition, after middle age, women tend to gain weight, and obesity increases the burden on the knee joint, accelerating the wear and aging of the knee structure and causing deformational arthritis. Wearing high heels is also a trigger that increases the burden on women’s knees, and can even induce the early arrival of knee arthritis. The beauty of “freezing” and wearing short skirts in cold weather, exposing the knees to the elements, are details of life that are usually overlooked and can plant the seeds of age-related arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a chronic disease that is easy to get and hard to get rid of. So how do elderly people with osteoarthritis of the knee take care of it? 1, try to avoid physical obesity. To prevent aggravation of the knee joint, once the body is overweight, we must actively lose weight and control weight. 2, the living environment to avoid cold, damp. The room should be kept dry and warm, and the bed should not be placed at the vent. 3, pay attention to keep warm is the key to prevent and control the disease. The feet and below the knee joints are far from the heart and have less blood supply, plus the thin fat layer on the surface of these parts has poor warmth retention ability and is very sensitive to cold. Therefore, elderly people with poor cold tolerance should pay special attention to keeping their feet, legs and knees warm in winter. You can usually wear cotton knee or leg pads. 4. Perform proper physical exercise. Proper exercise can increase the elasticity of cartilage, promote the absorption of nutrients in joint cartilage, and delay the progress of osteoarthritis. However, it is also important to combine work and rest to avoid too much activity and damage to the joints. Stair climbing is not suitable for patients with knee problems, because when climbing stairs the main body weight is the lower limbs, the knee joint is under great stress at this time, and in the process of climbing, the legs have to keep lifting and lowering, in this case, the knee joint is under 3-4 times more stress than when standing, and wear and tear is greater. When climbing stairs, it is best to take one step at a time and use handrails to reduce the damage to the knee. Patients with knee problems are better off not playing tai chi, because when playing tai chi, the body is in a half-squatting position throughout the process, plus some twisting movements that overload the knee joint, increasing joint friction and extrusion at the knee joint, which can accelerate the metamorphosis of cartilage. Older people can choose to walk, jog, ride a bike, walk in water, etc. The amount of activity to be comfortable for the body, it is important to persevere. Walking – If the knee joint is not normally uncomfortable, you can go to the park and walk slowly, lifting and releasing the leg gently. A daily walk of 20-30 minutes can improve knee function to some extent. Jogging – this way is more intense than walking. When exercising, pay attention to small steps and light running, do not move too much or use too much force. If joint discomfort occurs during exercise, stop immediately and try again after a period of rest. Cycling – cycling can exercise the leg muscles, exercise the endurance of the joints, which helps to reduce joint symptoms, and because of the principle of leverage of the pedals, cycling not only exercises the knee joint, but also does not cause a burden on the knee joint. Walking in water – practice walking in water, you can exercise the leg muscles, reduce the weight of the lower limbs, reduce the burden on the knee joint. 5, in terms of diet, should eat more food containing protein, calcium, collagen, isoflavones, such as milk, dairy products, soybeans, soy products, eggs, fish and shrimp, kelp, black fungus, chicken claws, pig’s feet, lamb shanks, beef tendons, etc. These can not only supplement protein, calcium, prevent osteoporosis, but also grow cartilage and lubricating fluid of the joints, but also supplement estrogen, so that the bones and joints better calcium metabolism, reduce the symptoms of arthritis. 6, adhere to every night foot soak. Before going to bed, you can soak your feet in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes (the water should not be over the ankle), dry your feet and then rub the palms of the two feet 60 times each. Long-term adherence to foot baths is beneficial for the prevention of osteoarthritis of the knee.