Dealing with knee pain at work

Knee pain is common for people that kneel all day at work, like gardeners and cement workers. What about office workers? Several office workers have seen an increase in knee pain because they sit all day long or they stand all day long. The pressure on the knees can be painful, especially if you do not have anti-fatigue flooring to stand on or a good pair of shoes to support your body weight. If you sit for longer than an hour at a time, you will probably start to experience knee pain. This knee pain is common because your body is in the same position for several hours and the muscles are not getting the proper exercise they need. Some of the other reasons why you may experience knee pain include the following:

• Arthritis
• Ligament injuries
• Cartilage injuries
• Dislocation
• Cyst
• Bursitis

If you start to experience knee pain and it doesn't stop within a few days or it gets worse, you should contact a doctor. You may be able to identify what caused your knee pain, like bumping into your desk, falling on your knee, or another reason. If you don't know what caused the knee pain and you are still having it, a medical expert is the only person that can find the right treatment for you.

In order to dealing with knee pain while you are at work, you need to talk to your manager or supervisor. Let them know about your condition, especially if you have been diagnosed with a serious knee injury like ligament injuries. Your employer will be able to re-assign you if you need to stand on it all day or they will be able to make you more comfortable while you work until the injury heals.

People that tend to have aching of the knee can get by with wearing a knee brace and taking some local painkillers like Tylenol. They should exercise each day to build-up the muscles around the knee and strengthen the ligaments. You also need to eat a healthier diet to improve the cartilage and the muscles around the knee. If you are obese, consider losing some weight because excess weight places additional strain on the knees. The knees are like the shock absorbers for our bodies and they can take a real beating if you have an extra 20 pounds on your body.

If your knee pain is new, try alternating heat and ice. This is normally the best way to reduce swelling in the knee. Resting the knee is another easy way to treat knee pain. Grab a stool and place it under your desk and elevate the knee while you work. You can even alternate ice and heat treatments while you are at work. Normally the knee pain is caused by inflammation, so it needs a little rest so it can get back to normal. If you cannot put any weight on the knee, you may need to rent or purchase some crutches until the knee pain subsides.

For people that start having knee pain after starting a new job (such as sitting for 8 or more hours a day), you need to get up every 45 minutes and stretch. Try to really stretch out your knees and legs. Walk around your office for a couple minutes and get the blood flowing again. During your lunch hour, take some time to go for a nice stroll outside. Always get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise each day for good health. If your knee pain still persists, contact a physical therapist. They will be able to help you with your knee pain and create an exercise program that will strengthen the knee.