Are Steps Causing Your Knees to Ache? There May Be a Solution

(NewsUSA) - For individuals with knee pain due to injury, surgery or simply old age, going up and down stairs at home can be an additional burden.

Common knee conditions or medical issues affecting the knees that may make stair climbing more difficult include the following:

* Arthritis activity. Arthritic hips and/or knees can limit flexibility and make stair climbing difficult.

* Patellar problems. The patellar tendon is responsible for straightening the knee. If this tendon is injured or damaged, the resulting inflammation makes stair climbing painful.

* Kneecap tracking. The kneecap is designed to fit smoothly into the thigh bone, but if it slides out of place, it can cause severe knee pain, especially when taking stairs.

* Cartilage concerns. Knee pain and swelling occur if the cartilage in the knee area is damaged because of a twisting motion.

* Hip hindrance. Weakened hip muscles make lifting the knees (and climbing stairs) challenging and painful.

* Poor core. Core muscles that are weakened by inactivity or injury can contribute to stair climbing problems because a strong torso is needed to keep the spine aligned when climbing up and down stairs.

A stairlift can make a huge difference for individuals struggling with knee pain. Stairlifts are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and today's stairlifts, such as those made by Acorn Stairlifts, are easily installed with no structural changes to the home and no damage to home decor. In addition, stairlifts from Acorn Stairlifts are powered by two small 12-volt batteries for quiet but effective operation.

Consider stair style when choosing a stairlift. Stairlifts can be designed to suit straight stairways, curved stairways and outdoor stairways, and the modular design of Acorn Stairlifts allows for easy installation without structural changes to the home.

Acorn Stairlifts' safety elements include a chair and built-in footrest that can fold up when not in use to allow for easy passage on the stairs. They also include remote control components and foot platform sensors that stop the lift when triggered. Other features include safety belts, swivel seats that lock and light touch controls for those with limited dexterity.

For more details about finding the right stairlift for your home, visit www.acornstairlifts.com.