Many knee problems can be prevented by warming up before exercise, doing exercises that strengthen leg muscles, gradually increasing the intensity of exercise and wearing properly fitting shoes when running or walking, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The group provides a question-and-answer sheet about knee problems, their prevention and treatment. Visit the Web site www.nih.gov/niams or call 301-495-4484 to have one sent to you.

INFORMATION

• For fact sheets and booklets about knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, arthritis of the knee and knee exercise, see the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' Web site at www.aaos.org (select patient/public information, then knee).

• For information and links on knee injuries and disorders, see MEDLINEplus at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
kneeinjuriesanddisorders.html.

LOCAL RESOURCES

• The Washington Orthopaedic & Knee Clinic provides diagnosis, treatment and pain remedies for a variety of knee conditions. To learn more, see the Web site at www.kneetime.com or contact one of their two locations:6196 Oxon Hill Rd. Suite 210 in Oxon Hill at 301-567-5100; or 8206 Leesburg Pike #201 in Vienna at 703-448-8010.

• The orthopedic center at Inova Fairfax Hospital at 3300 Gallows Rd. in Fairfax provides a full range of medical and surgical care, including joint replacement, trauma injuries and sports injuries. To learn more, call 703-698-3625.

• Inova Mount Vernon Hospital at 2501 Parker's Lane in Alexandria offers a support and information group for people considering joint replacement. To learn more, call 703-664-7493.

• The Baltimore-Washington Hip and Knee Center at North Arundel Hospital at 301 Hospital Dr. in Glen Burnie offers complete care for patients needing joint replacement surgery. To learn more, call 410-787-4384.

• Sibley Memorial Hospital provides knee replacement education sessions on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. and the third Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sessions are held in the Executive Conference Room, Hayes Hall (adjacent to the hospital), First Floor, 5255 Loughboro Rd. NW. To register, call 202-537-4058.

-- Diane Knich