Changes in Parents' Walking Patterns During Holidays: A Sign of Knee Pain?

During the Chuseok holiday, long periods of sitting during travel or increased walking during family outings can lead to discomfort. Activities such as food preparation and cleaning often require squatting or bending the knees for extended periods, which can exacerbate existing knee arthritis. If you notice a change in your parents' walking patterns during the holiday, it may signal degenerative knee arthritis rather than simple fatigue.

According to the medical community, degenerative knee arthritis is a condition where joint cartilage gradually deteriorates, causing pain and reduced function. Initially, pain may occur during movement, with symptoms fluctuating between improvement and worsening. As the condition progresses, walking can become difficult, and symptoms such as swelling or deformity, like bowing of the legs, may appear.

Symptoms often develop gradually, leading many to dismiss them as a natural part of aging. However, it is crucial to obtain an accurate diagnosis early and begin appropriate treatment and lifestyle management. Initial treatments may include exercise, weight management, medication, and physical therapy, while severe cases may require surgical options like joint replacement, depending on the condition of the joint.

If you observe any changes in your parents' movements or walking patterns during the holiday, it is advisable to consider the possibility of degenerative knee arthritis and recommend a medical consultation.

Specifically, signs to watch for include:

• Complaints of knee pain even on flat surfaces
• Difficulty climbing or descending stairs, or avoiding stairs altogether
• Needing to use hands for support when standing up from a chair or struggling to rise at all
• Frequent swelling or a persistent feeling of stiffness in the knees
• A noticeable decrease in walking speed or distance compared to before
• Visible deformity, such as bowing of the legs

If these symptoms recur or if pain disrupts daily life, it is important to seek a medical diagnosis rather than attributing it solely to aging.

Even if parents do not explicitly say, "My knees hurt," changes in their behavior can indicate underlying issues. If they are walking more slowly, avoiding stairs, or using their hands for support when standing, it may be time to investigate potential knee pain or functional decline.

Dr. Heo Jae-won, director of the Joint Center at Barunseong Hospital, noted, "In older generations, knee pain is often viewed as a natural symptom of aging, leading many to endure it. However, if pain results in reduced walking distance, avoidance of stairs, or difficulty rising from a seated position, it is essential to check the condition of the knees."

He added, "Treatment methods for degenerative arthritis vary based on the extent of joint damage, so it is crucial to confirm the condition early rather than simply enduring the pain. Starting appropriate exercise, weight management, and conservative treatments early can help manage pain and functional decline and slow the progression of the disease."

Meanwhile, if you experience sudden illness during the Chuseok holiday or find nearby hospitals closed, you can easily locate open hospitals and pharmacies, as well as free parking and real-time traffic conditions, using Naver and KakaoMap.

Searching for "holiday hospitals" or "24-hour hospitals" on Naver will provide a list of medical facilities open during the holiday, along with temporary operating hours. Additionally, searching for "holiday treatment" or "holiday care" on KakaoMap will yield information on nearby medical facilities operating during the holiday period.

In the event of a traffic accident during travel, you can also find hospitals that accept automobile insurance. Emergency room information is provided based on designated emergency medical institutions and facilities by the National Medical Center.