The MetroSouth Medical Center has a really interesting new campaign about knees. The campaign is called “Knee Pain Loves Women” and it’s an effort to help women who experience painful knees and osteoarthritis.

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The campaign is in response to the growing number of women who struggle with knee pain – which occurs more often than knee pain in men. Women with knee pain have a hard time with daily activities. The instances of knee pain seems to have to do with the way women’s legs are structured – perhaps to allow for pregnancy and bearing the weight of a fetus. Researchers have found that women who have strong quadriceps tend to have less knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Doctors think conditioning especially in quadriceps-building can help in preventing against knee pain. Learn more here.

As a part of their campaign, during March and April, the MetroSouth Medical Center is offering a “complimentary tool kit for women who want to strengthen their hamstring/quads and prevent or eliminate knee pain. The kit consists of a strengthening band and a helpful card that explains five simple, at-home exercises. It is available in the gift shop in the hospital’s main lobby.” You can also get a copy of the kit by sending your name and address in an email to: info@metrosouthmedicalcenter.com.

Women who want knee pain tips can also attend sessions at four of the different MetroSouth Health Center. If you attend you will work with exercise specialists who will show participants how to do pain-reducing hamstring and thigh strengthening exercises. These specialists will also give away strength bands and exercise cards. You can also meet with doctors who will help diagnose any serious knee problems you may have.

Something that I thought was especially great was that the MSMC is going to offer 100 free knee xrays to women aged 40+ who have a history of knee problems. If you have had three or more of these symptoms: knee pain, stiffness, swelling, catching, locking/giving way and loss of motion. If you’re interested – you can call MetroSouth Health Center community event or a knee screening at708.489.7927.

I think more hospitals around the US should take a hint from the campaign and offer versions of it elsewhere so more women (and men) can learn about healthy knees and receive treatment if they are experiencing continual knee pain. Would you participate?