Every season, stars lose matches—or even withdraw from competitions—due to injury. Every gleaming trophy carries the silent tears of pain shed by these athletes. Each injury marks a devastating blow to a player’s career. And among all injuries, knee injuries often serve as the haunting prelude to a star’s fading glory.
Star athletes dread thinking about their knees, yet who among those who love playing basketball isn’t secretly wondering how much longer their knees will hold up?
Wang Lin—Badminton, let’s just go with whatever happens!
In 2013, when 24-year-old badminton star Wang Lin announced her retirement due to repeated knee injuries, she sadly confessed: "Badminton, I guess it’s just meant to be a chapter in our lives—nothing more!" At 24, she was precisely at the prime of her athletic career—especially considering she was widely regarded as someone capable of writing badminton legend! Between 2010 and 2012, Wang Lin underwent three separate surgeries to treat injuries to her left knee—each one a potentially career-ending setback for a professional athlete, especially when it comes to the knee joint, which requires an incredibly long recovery period and is notoriously difficult to heal completely. Reflecting on the ordeal, she tearfully shared: "In just two and a half years, I suffered three injuries and had to undergo three separate treatments. The journey I went through during this time? Maybe only I truly understand it. All I can say is, I really did my best!"▲ The retirement of the badminton goddess at her peak leaves fans heartbroken. ▲ Retirement, defeated by a knee joint ravaged by repeated injuries
Bao Chunlai – A Decade of Injuries Betrays His Talent
On the eve of the 2011 London Olympics, badminton prodigy Bao Chunlai announced his retirement—marked by a heartbreaking decision after being plagued by injuries for a decade! World badminton circles universally recognize Bao Chunlai as the player with the highest technical skills and natural talent. He stepped onto the court at just 18 years old, but since his first left-knee injury in 2002, Bao has endured a grueling cycle of injuries and rehabilitation, forcing him to compete in one tournament after another. Tragically, by the time the 2011 Sudirman Cup concluded, his persistent knee issues had become so severe that he could no longer maintain the rigorous training regimen and competitive intensity required of a professional athlete—leading him to reluctantly retire from the sport. "Born with Yu, why was Liang also born?" After a decade on the court, does the lingering regret of being the eternal runner-up stem from facing Lin Dan's era—or from succumbing to those relentless knee injuries? ▲ Extreme stress on the knee joint inevitably leads star athletes to suffer knee injuries. Men's No. 1 singles player Srikanth has seen his career plummet from the top to the bottom after suffering a knee injury; women's doubles champion Bao Yixin retired due to a similar knee issue, while Shi Yuqi, who endured another serious injury at the 2019 Indonesia Open, famously remarked: "Injuries are a disaster!"Enough—counting any further only brings heartache and sorrow! A knee joint, already battered and bruised time after time, has become the heartbreaking "glass knee"—fragile and prone to pain with every touch, easily re-injured even with the slightest strain. For professional athletes, a knee injury is nothing short of a nightmare. And if, after recovery, the same knee suffers another setback, it’s like adding fuel to the fire—rehabilitation becomes virtually endless. That’s why knee injuries often serve as the prelude to an athlete’s inevitable "retirement."Even without mentioning professional athletes, how many badminton enthusiasts around us have already suffered knee injuries? And let’s not even talk about the fact that joints naturally have a limited lifespan.Degenerative osteoarthritis affects nearly 90% of men and women over the age of 65—though the severity varies.
It takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice.
Every day, 70% of the body's activities and energy expenditure rely on our legs—no small feat. Yet, we often overlook the need to take care of them. After all, when our knees are healthy and functioning perfectly, we barely notice their presence—or how vital they are—until trouble strikes.It can be said that all forms of arthritis begin with cartilage (meniscus) damage.For many people, joint pain seems to strike suddenly—but it doesn’t. In fact, by the time we first notice a slight discomfort in our joints, the cartilage has already begun to break down. It’s just that the initial pain appears only occasionally, slipping unnoticed by us—and that’s precisely what leads to more serious problems later on.There are many factors that can lead to osteoarthritis due to cartilage injury—according to statistics from Germany:“50% is due to long-term overload, 30% to accidental injuries, and 20% to joint weakness or structural defects.”▲Data provided by the German Association for Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation Assistance Joint overuse and unexpected injuries significantly increase the risk of osteoarthritis among active individuals, most of whom are aged between 30 and 50! We know that the average lifespan of a healthy knee joint is around 60 years, peaking in your 30s before gradually entering a natural phase of aging and degeneration. Yet in many everyday activities, the pressure these joints endure can exceed 50 times greater than what a car tire experiences! To withstand such immense loads, joint tissues must remain incredibly stable, strong, and functioning at their optimal capacity—because even minor discomfort can quickly lead to cartilage damage. Damage to the cartilage structure triggers an inflammatory response within the joint cavity, leading to joint effusion and pain. At the same time, the joint bones lose their protective cushioning and shock-absorbing function, gradually progressing toward osteoarthritis.It takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of water—this pathological process may have been developing over several years. Yet, due to carelessness, the optimal treatment window was missed.
Prevention and Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Like all conditions, osteoarthritis progresses through four distinct stages—so if you can identify it early,Pre-launch phaseAndInitial stageReceiving timely attention and treatment significantly increases the chances of recovery while keeping costs low and risks minimal. However, by the time the condition progresses to a more advanced stage, cartilage damage has already become severe, and accompanying inflammation further complicates treatment. In these advanced stages, surgery often becomes the only viable option for effective intervention. ▲ The Four Stages of Osteoarthritis LesionsIn the pre-release and early stages, we might only occasionally experience joint discomfort, such as: "Joints feel slightly stiff after prolonged sitting or when getting up in the morning, and you may occasionally experience pain while going up or down stairs. You might also notice some soreness and tenderness after walking longer distances or exercising." These symptoms are actually telling us that "there’s a problem with the cartilage."But because the pain isn’t severe enough or frequent enough, it’s often overlooked—missing the golden opportunity for timely treatment! Severe osteoarthritis, which develops later on, often progresses from earlier "cartilage damage," eventually leading to bone deformities and advancing into the advanced stages of osteoarthritis. This process can unfold rapidly—within just a few months—or may take several years. The following explanation of the condition, provided by the "German Joint Inflammation Rehabilitation Center," clearly underscores the critical importance of early treatment: "In the early stages, cartilage damage is limited to a very small area and occurs only on the surface—often going unnoticed. However, even from the outset, this minor injury can trigger significant changes. The damaged cartilage area loses its ability to bear weight, reducing the joint’s overall load-bearing capacity. As a result, the remaining healthy cartilage must absorb the full load, leading not only to excessive stress but also disrupting the even distribution of pressure across the joint. Over time, this imbalance accelerates further damage, affecting an increasingly larger portion of the cartilage."▲Changes in cartilage loading have exacerbated the area of cartilage damage.As this process continues, the area of cartilage capable of bearing the load gradually decreases—until large sections of cartilage are worn away, causing the original "joint cushioning space" to disappear. Without cartilage to protect the joint, the bones become fully exposed, leading to direct friction and contact with each other.▲ Comparison of mild initial injury to cartilage versus severe wear-and-tear in later stagesAs osteoarthritis progresses to its advanced stage, the bones undergo noticeable changes—on X-ray images, the bones clearly appear much broader, and large bone spurs have developed along the edges of the joints. These bone spurs (osteophytes) not only widen the joint space but also cause swelling and intensify inflammation. Moreover, as you move, these spurs can rub against each other, leading to even more pain.Advances in modern medicine have opened up more treatment options for osteoarthritis, such as direct hyaluronic acid injections into the knee joint, as well as surgical interventions—even joint replacement.However, the best approach to joint care is preventing injuries and slowing down degeneration—second only to promptly addressing issues when they arise. By the time a "death sentence" is effectively handed to the knee joint, the only remaining option is risky, high-cost surgical intervention.
Aldefi ArthroFill
What can be done for the joints?
In China, there are approximately 130 million osteoarthritis patients, while in Germany, one in every six adults experiences knee joint issues. Osteoarthritis has already become the third-largest category of healthcare expenditure in Germany, making joint health care and rehabilitation therapies a key area in both German medicine and nutritional biology.Both Wang Lin, whom we know well, and "Nana," the tennis star, underwent joint surgery in Germany. Whether they chose ArthroFill Joint Care as an adjunct treatment remains unknown to us.But four-time European windsurfing champion Mario Rodwald made a full recovery with the help of ArthroFill in Alderfe—and is now back on the competitive scene!▲ Mario Makes a Stunning Return to the ArenaAt the 2014 World Championships, it was almost a nightmare for young Mario—during an unexpected incident in one of the matches, he suffered near-fatal injuries to his joints! After undergoing two consecutive joint surgeries, he still couldn’t walk normally, and both doctors and teammates believed his athletic career was over. Yet, thanks to relentless effort and the unwavering support of orthopedic specialist Dr. Tim Raav, Mario resumed training just 12 months later. And amazingly, 24 months after that, his knee had miraculously healed completely, allowing him to make a triumphant return to the!
Physician Tim said, "In Mario's rehabilitation plan, I chose ArthroFill by Alderfer as an adjunct therapy and increased the daily dosage to provide essential nutrients for his injured joint. Over the 24-month recovery period, Mario consistently took one bottle of Alderfer Joint Health Oral Liquid every morning and two oral tablets each night."
Returning to the, Mario has not only been a long-term user of Alderfy products but has also become friends with the Alderfy team.▲Mario (left), Ms. Qiu, China Regional Representative (center), and Henning, Alderfi Product Director (right) Aldefie Joint Care focuses on "nourishing" and "protecting" joints, with its core value lying in orally administered hyaluronic acid derived purely from plant extracts.German-made products with expert craftsmanship offer joint support in three key areas:
Minimize cartilage damage
By replenishing the hyaluronic acid content in the joint cavity fluid, it increases chondrocyte density, thereby nourishing cartilage and helping to prevent cartilage wear and tear.
Helping joint inflammation recover
Hyaluronic acid promotes synovial metabolism, inhibits the progression of synovial inflammation, and thereby helps alleviate stiffness, swelling, and pain.
Provide comprehensive nutrition for cartilage
Hyaluronic acid helps normalize synovial fluid, enhances nutrient absorption and promotes the regeneration of chondrocytes, ultimately preserving the youthful vitality of cartilage.
The Importance of Supplementing Hyaluronic Acid
Just as synovial fluid is crucial for joints, so too is hyaluronic acid essential for joint health! One of the primary causes of cartilage damage and aging is the depletion of synovial fluid. That’s why replenishing hyaluronic acid is an indispensable step in both joint care and rehabilitation therapy. The human body is actually no stranger to hyaluronic acid—it’s a naturally occurring substance found throughout the body, classified as a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide. Healthy individuals can naturally produce hyaluronic acid, with an average of about 16 grams present in the body during youth. Hyaluronic acid levels peak in adulthood and begin to decline steadily after age 30. By age 40, only about 50% of the body’s required amount remains, and by age 60, levels drop to nearly just 10%. Joint synovial fluid, found within the joint cavity, works alongside cartilage to provide "lubrication" and "shock absorption" for the articulating bones.In addition to hyaluronic acid, proteins, and glucosamine, joint synovial fluid is predominantly composed of 94% water. The lubricating effect of synovial fluid on cartilage largely depends on the concentration of hyaluronic acid within it.At the same time, synovial fluid serves as the medium through which cartilage absorbs nutrients. Hyaluronic acid actively enhances the environment within the joint cavity, delivering essential nutrients to the cartilage with every movement while simultaneously removing metabolic waste—creating a healthy, cyclical process that supports joint health.▲ The presence and function of synovial fluid in joints(Image source: German Arthritis Treatment Center)Hyaluronic acid plays an indispensable role, primarily due to its exceptional water-retention capability. Its long molecular chains form a highly intricate, network-like structure that, thanks to this unique spatial arrangement, can effectively bind vast amounts of water. For instance, just 2% hyaluronic acid can lock in as much as 98% of the surrounding water. This remarkable ability not only helps maintain optimal hydration but also enables hyaluronic acid to create a spring-like, shock-absorbing layer within joint spaces—enhancing joint stability while ensuring even pressure distribution and reducing wear on cartilage.The rate of joint degeneration is almost synchronized with the decline in hyaluronic acid levels.This, from another perspective, highlights the importance of replenishing hyaluronic acid.
How to take Alderfee
ArthroFill's expertise stems from its deep understanding and extensive research into joint nutritional supplementation. Typically, joints require more than 40 essential nutrients—some of which can be obtained through a well-balanced diet, while others must be supplemented via dietary supplements.The ArthroFill joint health and rehabilitation program consists of two phases, featuring a therapeutic combination of oral liquid and oral tablets. For regular maintenance, it’s recommended to take the product for 90 days, while recovery from injury typically requires a longer period.▲ Germany's Premium Joint Care Nutritional Supplement – ArthroFill Hyaluronic Acid Oral Liquid
Phase One: Joint Comfort Oral Liquid—take for at least 20 days. Consume 150ml of liquid hyaluronic acid daily to quickly replenish depleted hyaluronic acid levels and boost nutrient absorption.
Phase Two: JointCare Oral Tablets, for at least 60 days. In addition to containing high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, these oral tablets are also rich in 14 types of joint cartilage components and essential nutrients—including ingredients like glucosamine, L-methionine, MSM, Omega-3 fatty acids, trace elements such as copper, manganese, and selenium, as well as biotin and B-complex vitamins—all crucial for joint health.
▲ Alderfer Joint Care Star Product – Duo Liquid & Tablet Combo PackContains 20 oral liquids and 60 oral tablets, providing a 50-day initial dosage.Aldofi recognized during development that joint health is a long-term care process, which is why the product’s formulation and dosage are designed for extended use—making it a safe dietary supplement with no side effects.Especially suitable for consumption by people with diabetes.We all know that staying active is the best medicine for diabetes—after all, they especially need a pair of healthy joints. ▲ Alderfy Joint Comfort Oral Tablets—Ideal for Long-Term UseWhile taking this, in addition to drinking plenty of water, make sure to move around as much as possible. That’s because joint nutrition relies on every movement of the joint—each time your joint shifts, the richly vascularized inner layer of the joint skin releases essential nutrients from the bloodstream into the synovial fluid. It’s then the "synovial fluid" itself that "massages" these nutrients directly into the cartilage!
11.11 Carnival
Huge savings—prices are lower than direct purchases from Germany!
ArthroFill, the official flagship store of JD International, kicks off its Double 11 shopping festival with deals so amazing, they’re even cheaper than direct purchases from Germany!Replenish hyaluronic acid to protect your joints and minimize damage!▲ Long press to enter directlyJD International ArthroFill Official Brand Flagship Store Where has the hyaluronic acid I took gone?Half of it goes to the skin's connective tissue, while the other half—mostly—is directed toward the joints. A smaller portion is allocated to the eyes, bones, and the connective tissues of the fascia. That’s why taking Alderfer’s hyaluronic acid products not only helps maintain joint health but also simultaneously nourishes and hydrates the skin, while alleviating dryness issues in the eyes.
Highly trusted ArthoFill by Alderfe
Finally, we’re sharing Alderfer’s message of health and happiness, featuring Carlo’s latest short video. Carlo, who has served as the fitness coach for Germany’s Davis Cup tennis team for many years, is a true legend in the sports world. After setting his world high-jump record of 2.42 meters in 1988, he made history again in 2013—at the age of 54—by breaking the world record once more in the M55 age group, clearing 1.88 meters. Now 61 years old, Carlo remains actively involved in sports, inspiring us with the timeless promise that "age is just a number" when it comes to staying fit and passionate about physical activity!
Carlo Video Voice Translation:
"Aldefi has been a huge help to me. At my age, I still absolutely love high-intensity workouts—this product allows me to push through with the intensity I need, especially during tennis training, helping me reach my targeted performance goals. I genuinely enjoy challenging myself with tough sessions, as they not only keep me motivated but also give me that exhilarating sense of progress as I steadily improve my fitness. This product is incredibly beneficial for tennis players, offering real value—particularly when your joints are just starting to feel discomfort, rather than dealing with a serious injury. It’s an outstanding product, and I’d highly recommend giving it a try yourself! – Carlo, your loyal fan"
Note: Some of the information and data in this article are sourced from BMC, DOI 10.1186/s12937-016-0128-2, and the German Association for Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation Assistance.
Author: The Shepherd
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