Health

The Best Non-Surgical Alternatives For Chronic Knee Pain

Diet Changes Can Help Reduce Knee Inflammation Your diet impacts every aspect of your health, including the health of your joints. Because knee pain is often… Aisha Abdullah - March 8, 2023

Although chronic knee pain is commonly treated with knee replacement surgery, the operation has one of the highest regret rates of any medical procedure. Like all surgeries, it carries a risk of complications, and it isn’t a solution that works for everyone. Many patients who regret the surgery say that they wish they knew about alternative options for chronic knee pain before going under the knife. These are some of the best non-surgical alternatives to treat knee pain.

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Knee Surgery Can Be Life-Changing, But Many People Regret It

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that primarily affects the knees and hips. The disease develops when the cartilage in your joints breaks down, either from injury or overwork, causing your bones to rub against each other. Osteoarthritis in the knees causes chronic pain, swelling, and stiffness. The condition has no cure, but there are effective treatments, including knee replacement surgery.

The procedure involves replacing the damaged part of the knee with a prosthetic, reducing pain and stiffness. Although many people report that the surgery vastly improved their lives, as many as 20 percent of people who get the procedure are not satisfied with the results. The surgery can be risky and doesn’t always relieve pain. It also may not be a permanent solution. The knee prosthetic typically lasts for 15 to 20 years, so younger people who have the surgery will likely have to have their knee replacement replaced. Especially for people with less severe symptoms, knee replacement may be too extreme of a treatment.

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Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Are One of the Most Common Answers to Knee Pain

Most people are advised to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the first sign of knee pain. The drugs offer fast and inexpensive relief from chronic knee pain and can be purchased at any drug or grocery store. NSAIDs can be taken orally or as a topical cream rubbed directly onto the joint. The drugs include over-the-counter medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (e.g., Aleve), and prescription celecoxib.

As the name implies, NSAIDs work by blocking two enzymes, including one that causes inflammation. Although NSAIDs are an effective option for treating knee pain, they are not without risks. One of the two enzymes that NSAIDs block plays a role in protecting your stomach lining. That means that taking NSAIDs can cause stomach problems like indigestion and ulcers. Prescription NSAIDs only block the inflammation-causing enzyme and don’t harm the stomach.

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Non-NSAIDs Pain Medication Provides Safer Arthritis Relief

NSAIDs are a common, effective way to relieve knee pain. But using these drugs regularly, in high doses, or over long periods can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, and stomach. People who are at higher risk for heart disease, kidney disease, or have a history of stomach ulcers may be advised to avoid NSAIDs.

Fortunately, acetaminophen (Tylenol) provides relief from knee pain without fewer risks than NSAIDs. Also called paracetamol, the medication works by changing how your brain responds to pain. Acetaminophen is much easier on the stomach and kidneys and is safe for people with a variety of chronic health conditions, including pregnancy. However, because the drug isn’t anti-inflammatory, it may not ease the swelling and stiffness that comes with osteoarthritis. Additionally, in very high doses, it can cause liver damage.

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Low Impact Exercises Relieve Aching Knees Without Pressure

Your first instinct when experiencing knee pain may be to avoid exercise to avoid making it worse. But exercise is necessary to keep your whole body, including your knees, healthy. Low-impact exercises are those that get your heart up and help you stay fit without putting pressure on sore knees. It also helps strengthen the muscles supporting the knees and reduces stiffness. Walking is one of the best and cheapest low-impact exercises.

Getting in a half-hour walk a few times a week can help you stay in shape and feel better overall. Other types of low-impact workouts include ellipticals, bike riding, yoga, and swimming. You should never push yourself to work out through serious or worsening knee pain. Finding the right low-impact exercise for you may take time, but the positive impacts on your knees and whole body are worth it.

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Physical Therapy Strengthens Knee Muscles

The goal of physical therapy is to improve your ability to move and perform everyday tasks with an injury or illness. For people with chronic knee pain, physical therapy can help improve the health of their joints and reduce the need for knee replacement surgery. Strengthening physical therapy exercises tone and strengthen the muscles that support your knees.

They also reduce the risk of further injury to the knee by training your body to appropriately distribute pressure on the knees, back, and hips when standing or moving. This reduces wear and tear on the joint. Flexibility training exercises help increase your joint’s range of motion and improve overall joint function. Working with a physical therapist can help you not only with knee pain but also with swelling and stiffness.

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Weight Loss Can Take Pressure Off Joints

One of the reasons that knee pain is so common is that our knees bear a lot of weight, literally. Your knee joints support the weight of the upper body and feel the force of that weight whenever you’re standing, walking, or running. Losing weight can help take some of that pressure off of your knees, which in turn can help reduce chronic pain. For example, one study found that 10 pounds of weight equals 40 pounds of pressure on your knees.

That means that every pound lost is like taking 4 pounds off of your knees. Another study found that patients with knee pain who lost weight reported less pain, improved joint function, and better overall quality of life. Weight loss has also been shown to reduce joint inflammation, improve osteoarthritis symptoms, and slow down the progression of the disease.

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Prescription Opioids Are Powerful Knee Pain Relievers

When over-the-counter pain relievers and other treatment options are not enough to deal with knee pain, a doctor may prescribe the prescription opioid tramadol. The medicine treats moderate to severe pain by altering how the brain processes it. In clinical trials, opioids were as effective as NSAIDs at reducing pain from osteoarthritis. Like acetaminophen, it has a lower risk of kidney, heart, or stomach problems than NSAIDs.

However, like all opioids, tramadol is a controlled substance with the potential for abuse and addiction if it is not taken appropriately. Tramadol can also cause dizziness or drowsiness that may impact your ability to drive or work. Still, the drug may be a safer option for people who do not respond to or are unable to take other painkillers.

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Steroid Can Help Knock Out Pain and Swelling in Your Knees

When our bodies are under stress, it naturally releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone keeps our immune system in check and controls inflammation. Corticosteroids are synthetic chemicals that replicate the anti-inflammatory action of cortisol. Sometimes called steroids for short, corticosteroids are fast-acting and powerful treatments, typically reducing pain and swelling within hours. Steroids can be taken orally or applied topically as a cream.

But, for osteoarthritis, steroids are most commonly given as injections directly into the knee muscles or arteries. The effects of the treatment can last up to three months. One drawback of steroid injections is that they have a high risk of side effects, including suppressing your body’s natural ability to make cortisol and bone loss. Steroid injections are great for short-term pain relief but shouldn’t be used over long periods because of the side effect risk.

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Joint Fluid Therapy Temporarily Restores Knee Function

If pain relievers and lifestyle changes don’t improve your knee pain, your doctor may suggest joint fluid therapy. Also called viscosupplementation or gel knee injections, this quick and easy procedure involves injecting a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid directly into the knee joint. The body naturally produces the fluid to lubricate the joint and protect it from damage. But people with osteoarthritis have less hyaluronic acid to cushion the joint, making it more vulnerable to injury.

Joint fluid therapy restores normal levels of hyaluronic acid to the joint and provides relief from chronic knee pain. Gel knee injections can provide months of pain relief and can be repeated every six months. Depending on the type of treatment you receive, you may need only one injection or several injections spaced out over a few weeks.

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Genicular Artery Embolization Reduces Inflammation from Osteoarthritis

One of the first signs of inflammation is the abnormal growth of blood vessels. This process results in an increase in blood flow to the inflammation site, leading to the swelling and pain that is characteristic of osteoarthritis. Genicular artery embolization is a new approach to treating osteoarthritis-related knee pain. The treatment blocks the first stage of inflammation by preventing blocking increased blood flow to the joint.

Like joint fluid therapy, genicular artery embolization is fast, low-risk, and minimally invasive. Between 80 to 85 percent of people who have the procedure report significant improvements in pain and joint function. Additionally, two studies found that patients reported continued alleviation of pain and stiffness a year after the procedure.

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Radio Waves That Warm Up Nerves Are a New Knee Surgery Alternative

Another relatively new alternative to knee replacement surgery is cooled radiofrequency ablation. The procedure involves using an electrode to first heat up the nerves around the knee joint and then cool them down. This process, known as cooled radiofrequency ablation, interferes with the nerves’ ability to send pain signals to the brain. The treatment was approved to treat knee pain in 2017 and is not as well studied as other knee pain treatments.

However, one study found that around three-quarters of people who received the treatment reported significant improvements in symptoms six months later. A more recent study found similar results in 80 percent of patients after a year. The procedure is outpatient and minimally invasive but can be quite expensive.

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Topical Pain Medications Can Alleviate Arthritis Pain

Treatments for chronic knee pain don’t always have to involve pills or injections. Topical pain medications can be applied directly to the joint, providing fast pain relief. Topical treatments may come in gel, cream, spray, or patch forms that deliver the drug right where it’s most needed. One major benefit of topical treatments is that they typically have fewer side effects than other pain treatments because they aren’t interacting with the rest of your body.

Topical pain treatments often contain salicylates (aspirin), which is an anti-inflammatory pain killer. Capsaicin is a chemical that naturally occurs in chili peppers. When added to topical pain treatments, capsaicin causes a heating effect that prevents nerve cells from sending pain signals to the rest of the nervous system. Other topical pain medicine active ingredients are chemicals like menthol and lidocaine, which reduce your perception of pain.

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Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy May Help Repair Damaged Knees

Our bodies have an incredible ability to heal after injury and illness. Platelets are blood cells that cause blood to clot and play an important role in tissue healing. Experimental platelet-rich plasma therapy harnesses the healing ability of these cells to repair damaged tissue, such as a torn Achilles tendon.

This type of treatment that induces the body to heal itself is called regenerative medicine. For people with osteoarthritis, the procedure involves taking a patient’s blood, extracting the platelets, and injecting them directly into the knee joint. When combined with other treatments, platelet-rich plasma reduces knee pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis. Although the results are promising, more studies are needed to determine if the therapy is an effective treatment for knee pain on its own.

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Stem Cell Therapy is an Experimental Knee Pain Treatment

Like platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy is another experimental, regenerative knee pain treatment that uses a patient’s cells to help them heal. Stem cells can produce many different types of cells, including cells that can replace or repair damaged tissue. The bone marrow, the soft tissue inside our bones, contains billion of stem cells that will become blood cells.

Bone marrow concentrates (BMC) are stem cells that have been extracted from a patient’s bone marrow, which can then be injected into the knee joint. The goal of the treatment is to encourage the healing of damaged cartilage in the knee. Similar to platelet-rich plasma therapy, there isn’t a lot of data about the effectiveness of BMC injections in treating knee pain. However, animal studies have shown promising results, and there’s an ongoing clinical trial in humans.

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Acupuncture is an Alternative Medicine Approach to Knee Pain

Acupuncture is a practice adopted from traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting needles into the skin to relieve pain and inflammation. There isn’t much scientific evidence to back up the effects of acupuncture, but many people swear by it. Some practitioners believe that the therapy increases blood flow or promotes the release of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that help alleviate pain. Because there is no clear method and the technique is difficult to standardize, it’s unclear how much of the healing powers of acupuncture are simply a placebo effect.

One study found that osteoarthritis patients who received acupuncture treatments were no more effective at reducing pain than placebo. However, there is some evidence that acupuncture may help improve osteoarthritis symptoms when paired with other treatments. Some experts, including the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation, recommend acupuncture on the condition that it may be worth trying.

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Prolotherapy Uses a Sugar Solution to Trigger the Immune System

Prolotherapy is an alternative therapy that claims to relieve pain by injecting a dextrose sugar solution into the joint. The solution causes irritation in the joint, which triggers your body’s immune response to start healing the damaged area. Like many alternative medical approaches, there is some evidence of a slight benefit of prolotherapy but not enough for most doctors to recommend it.

Some small studies have shown slight, short-term improvements in knee pain following the treatment. But the lack of long-term data or controlled studies makes it difficult to determine how much of the benefit is a placebo effect. Although the effectiveness of prolotherapy is debatable, the treatment is inexpensive and has few safety concerns. Some doctors say that as long as patients are continuing other, more proven treatments, there’s no harm in trying prolotherapy.

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Many People Use Walking Aids Like Canes to Manage Knee Pain

Taking pressure off your knee can go a long way toward reducing knee pain. Walking aids are designed to help you do just that by allowing you to transfer your weight away from your knees. There are many different types of walking aids; it’s just a matter of finding the right one for you. Canes are probably the most common mobility aid, for a good reason. They are affordable, can be purchased in most pharmacies, and don’t require a learning curve to use.

Canes come in many different styles and may have additional feet for added stability. A crutch may be helpful when you’re dealing with a flare-up of knee pain. The devices prevent you from putting too much weight on your knee but can be uncomfortable to use long-term. Walkers provide the most support and stability of any walking aid. You can even buy walkers with seats so you can rest if you’ve been on your feet too long.

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Braces and Orthotics Take Pressure Off Your Knees

Supporting your knees with braces or orthotics (shoe inserts) can help reduce pain and stiffness. Braces wrap around the knee and keep your knee steady and aligned without putting too much pressure on the joint. Braces may be inexpensive compression sleeves that also help reduce swelling or a more expensive unloader brace that allow you to shift weight to the healthier side of your knee.

Orthotics are shoes or shoe inserts that help take pressure off of your joints. They can provide relief if you’re experiencing milder knee pain or want to avoid further damage. Just switching to shoes with better support can do wonders for your knees.

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Supplements Help Support Healthy, Pain-free Joints

Your doctor may recommend that you take dietary supplements in addition to other treatments to help manage knee pain. The most common supplement for osteoarthritis is glucosamine and chondroitin, which are two components of cartilage. A large study found that glucosamine supplements slightly improved knee pain and mobility compared to placebo. Another study found that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin was effective at alleviating knee pain, inflammation, and stiffness, at least as effective as the prescription NSAID celecoxib.

The anti-inflammation supplement SAM-e has also been found to be as effective as over-the-counter NSAIDs at reducing pain from osteoarthritis. Although supplements typically have fewer supplements than other treatments, it’s important to speak to your doctor before starting any supplement plan.

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Diet Changes Can Help Reduce Knee Inflammation

Your diet impacts every aspect of your health, including the health of your joints. Because knee pain is often caused by inflammation, eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help you manage your symptoms. The best foods for reducing inflammation are fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, and sardines, that are packed with omega-3 fatty acids.

Nuts and seeds are also good sources of fat. Fresh fruit and vegetables, especially leafy greens, lean protein, healthy oils, and whole grains are important parts of an anti-inflammatory diet. Foods to avoid processed junk foods like potato chips, foods high in added sugar and cholesterol, and red meat.

Where Do We Find This Stuff? Here Are Our Sources:

Knee Replacement Alternatives to Consider | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery – Are They Really Effective?

5 options for knee arthritis pain – Mayo Clinic Health System

Knee Replacement Alternative Relieves Pain, Retains Mobility.

6 alternatives to knee replacement surgery | TRIA blog

Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery

Non-surgical Treatment Options for Knee Pain | Phelps Health

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40 of Your Favorite Celebrities Who Just Love Those Younger Women

There are many theories as to why older men chase after younger women, and why these younger women are keen on giving in to the sometimes,… MN Staff - JA - March 8, 2023

There are many theories as to why older men chase after younger women, and why these younger women are keen on giving in to the sometimes, much older men. Some say that it is a way for these men to feel younger and more energized, while others speculate that it is so they might look good in front of their friends. “Hey boys, check out my young, hot girlfriend.” Scientifically speaking, it could be as simple as the man’s natural instinct to find a young, strong woman who will bear the best offspring and further the species. As for the woman, speculation is that it is about having that financial security that an older man might bring, and if Freud were to have his say, he might remark that it is about the younger woman looking to marry her father. Whatever the case, there appears to be no shortage of younger women marrying older men, and this is never more evident than in Hollywood and the entertainment business, where it is not uncommon to find a famous actor, producer, or musician with a girl 40 years his junior. This leads us to our list of 40 Famous Men Whose Girlfriends Keep Getting Younger and Younger.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Camila Morrone (23 years)

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It’s no secret that Leonard DiCaprio likes the younger ladies, which is a bit ironic when you consider just how young he was in the role that made him a megastar, Titanic. Over the last decade, this Hollywood heartthrob has worked his way through a stable of girls whose average age was in the double-digits younger, and to keep things consistent for good ole DiCaprio, he has scored himself a very young, and very attractive woman, actress and model, Camila Morrone, some 25-years his junior.

Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher (20 years)

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Eddie Murphy is a comedy legend. From his time on Saturday Night Live, to his movies, to his stand-up specials, Murphy has carved a path of greatness that few will follow. Murphy also likes to carve a path with those young beauties, and is famous for making the rounds with his harem of young, statuesque women, including his latest, Australian actress and fiancé, Paige Butcher whom with Eddie now shares two young children, despite their 20-year age gap. It would appear that Paige might be the final one as the pair have been together for over a decade.

Rene Angelil & Celine Dion (26 years)

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This couple may be the most controversial on this list, because when Rene Angelil and Celine Dion first met, he was 39 years old and she was 12! Initially, he was her manager, but by the time she was 19, they had tied the knot, leading to intense criticism that he had begun grooming her at an early age. But even in the face of public outcry, Rene and Celine persevered, remaining together for over thirty years until his passing for cancer in 2016 at the age of 73.

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin… (25 years her senior)

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Alec and Hilaria Baldwin may be one of the more controversial couples on our list, not as much for their age gap (25 years), but for his legal troubles and her charges of cultural appropriation. Baldwin was recently charged with manslaughter for the accidental shooting of his cinematographer and assistant director, and Hilaria, (real name Hilary) was just caught on camera faking a Spanish accent once again. When it comes to getting their names out in the media, they truly are a couple who never disappoint.

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster (27 years)

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Rock and roll legend Rod Stewart met the much younger Penny Lancaster when he was already in his fifties. She was a photographer Stewart had hired to follow him on tour and take pictures to document the events. One thing led to another and the two soon became an inseparable couple. However, the pair actually did experience a split, but it only lasted two weeks before a reconciliation, something that Stewart is very thankful for. Stewart credits his ability to be a good listener for their twenty plus year relationship.

Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari (21 years)

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Josh Duhamel is riding high as both the star of the Transformers movies, as well as snagging the singer Fergie as a wife, but even with his success, Josh felt it was time for a change, so after divorcing the Black Eyed Peas singer, the 49-year-old star hooked up with the 28 year old model Audra Mari, and after two short years, the couple became engaged. According to Duhamel, it’s about having more kids, and the speculation is that Fergie, at the age of 46, may not have been on board.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard (23 years)

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2022 was a very busy year for Johnny Depp. He starred in movies, made television commercials, but and also spent quite a bit of time in front of a different kind of camera, a court camera, where he was doing battle with his ex, a much younger actor, Amber Heard. After a very public and very tumultuous relationship that lasted a paltry 15-months, and included salacious details of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, the two split which was followed by the defamation lawsuit where millions tuned in weekly for the legal drama. In the end, Depp prevailed, victorious, putting Heard on the hook for millions in damages.

Jim Carrey actress Ginger Gonzaga 23 years Cathriona White 25 years

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61-year-old Jim Carrey is yet another Hollywood legend who dominated the 90’s and 2000’s with hit movie after hit movie. He is also yet another on our list who likes to keep things young and fresh with the likes of 38-year-old actress Ginger Gonzaga, and the 36-year-old make-up artist, Cathriona White. While Mr. Carrey does enjoy the company of a younger lady, at least his woman aren’t twenty-somethings and already have established and respectable careers.

William and Elizabeth Shatner (27 years)

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William Shatner has long been known as a ladies man, going all the way back to his tenure as Captain Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Over the years, he’s dated a who’s who in attractive woman, but in his elder years, (the man is now in his 80’s), he prefers to keep it young, touting relationships with a much younger Elizabeth Shatner, with whom he was married to for 20 years, as well as Narine Kidd, a woman young enough to call Mr. Shatner great grandpa…

Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell (20 years)

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One of the most memorable images from the Beatles early days were the throngs of screaming young girls, mobbing them as they made their way along the streets of London. Fast forward a half century later, and while the days of being mobbed by teenage girls are long gone, Sir Paul McCartney can still reel em in, such as with current wife Nancy Shevell, who is separated by 20 years from the teen idol. McCartney has also been rumored to have seen romantically, a much younger Renee Zellweger at one point.

Sly Stallone and Jennifer Flavin (30 years)

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While most actors go through their lives getting the occasional big role here and there, Sly Stallone has both written, and starred in some of the most iconic movies in history, including the Rocky and Rambo franchises, along with more cult-like flicks like Nighthawks, Cobra, and Demolition Man. And being a megastar the likes of Stallone, allows for the opportunities to date some very attractive young ladies, including one Jennifer Flavin, a woman 30 years his junior. The two have been married to since 1997, sharing three daughters together.

Diddy and Lori Harvey (28 years)

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Affectionately known as P. Diddy, or Puff Daddy, or just Diddy, Sean Combs is one of the most successful and talented entrepreneurs to come out of the mean streets of New York City. Getting his start as a rapper in the early 90’s. P. Diddy was able to parlay his early popularity into a career as one of the most successful record producers of his generation, making him both famous and incredibly wealthy, and with fame and wealth come the ladies, and Diddy has had his fair share, including the much younger Lori Harvey.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (16 years)

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Tom Cruise has been a megastar for decades with a list of hit movies too long to name here. Tom has also been a notorious ladies’ man, dating some of the most beautiful women in the world. But Tom is a bit different that others here as he likes to be with other accomplished actors such as Kim Bassinger, Mimi Rogers, and Katie Holmes, who was 16 years his junior. While Katie and Tom are no longer a couple, they do share children together and have a very amicable relationship.

Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (20 Years)

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Jason Statham went from being an underrated actor in British cinema, to one of the top action heroes in Hollywood. In addition to his successful acting career, Statham is also an accomplished martial artist, a combination that has allowed him to snag some very fine ladies over the years, including a tall and statuesque blond and Victoria Secret model by the name of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Even though they are separated by a 20-year age gap, the couple have remained together since 2010 and share two children.

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart (22 Years)

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When Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart first became an item back in 2002, he was on top of the world as a legendary actor, famous for some of the most iconic movie roles in history, and she was a much younger, out of nowhere actor in a sitcom. The pairing seemed odd to say the least, and many predicted that the couple wouldn’t last through Christmas of that year. Well, the Ford/Flockhart union not only made it past that Christmas, they continue on to this day, some 20 plus years later.

Lionel Richie and Lisa Parigi (40 Years)

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There is not another singer on this list that is more iconic than Lionel Richie. This man has enjoyed an unprecedented career and is widely recognized for his endless string of romantic ballads. And of course, the women love them some romantic ballads, which has enabled Mr. Richie to score many a young lady over the years, maybe none as young as his current armpiece, Lisa Parigi, a model who is a whopping 40 years his junior.

Randy Jackson and Simone (35 Years)

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While the general public knows Randy Jackson as one of the panel judges on the smash hit show, American Idol, Jackson actually got his start as a jazz fusion and rock bass player, where he enjoyed incredible success for many years. The combination of his accomplishments as both a musician and American Idol judge has allowed him to snag the very attractive, singer/songwriter, Simone who also happens to be just shy of 4 decades younger than Jackson.

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming (24 years)

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Besides being recognized as one of the great action stars of the last thirty years, Bruce Willis is Hollywood royalty. The actor also shared nuptials with another famous actor in Demi Moore. The couple were married for 13 years and produced several children who themselves have become famous in their own right. And even though the couple are no longer an item, they have not only remained friends, but the whole family is often together on the regular. In 2009, Willis married a much younger actor named Emma Heming, and the couple share two children together.

Al Pacino and Meital Dohan (39 Years)

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Coming in as that second largest age gap on our list is the couple of Al Pacino and Israeli actress Meital Dohan. The two met in usual Hollywood fashion at an after party for a show screening. Dohan states that, at first, she kept the relationship a secret from her parents due to the age gap, but Pacino being Pacino, she went ahead anyway. But the whole thing fell apart two years later with Dohan citing the almost 40-year difference, saying she wanted to make it work, but Pacino is really just an “elderly” man at this point.

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas (16 Years)

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Ben Affleck has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. He’s dated the whose who in the world of Hollywood and entertainment, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Jennifer Garner to Jennifer Lopez and beyond with most of them sharing the same age range, but it seems that Anna de Armas changed all of that when they first hooked up after filming the movie Deep Water. Affleck and the brunette beauty exploded into a whirlwind romance on the quick and, as Hollywood people tend to do, professed their instant love for each other, regardless of their 16-year age gap.

Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston (30 Years)

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If you’re a Gen X’r, you will know Jeff Goldblum from any number of box office hits including The Fly, Jurassic Park, and Independence Day. If you are a millennial, you might recognize Jeff Goldblum for his recent, quirky appearances in television commercials. Mr. Goldblum was also one half of a Hollywood power couple for years as the husband of another Hollywood royal, Jeana Davis. These days, Mr. Goldblum has been bitten by the “younger woman bug” and hooked up with Emelia Livingston, some three decades his junior.

Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva (34 Years)

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Richard Gere has not only been one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men, he’s also a been the target of woman the world over, looking for an opening so that they can get their hands on the handsome megastar. In comes a Spanish beauty, Alejandra Silva. At 34 years of age, she is young enough to be Gere’s granddaughter, yet she was able to swoop in and grab up the legend, who, it turns out, was a long-time family friend.

Dane Cook and Kelsi Taylor (26 Years)

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Dane Cook, the popular stand-up comedian who makes his living by making people laugh, had to act quickly to make sure that he wouldn’t become the laughing stock of his critics for marrying a Pilates instructor, 26 years his junior. He and his future bride did so by joking on each other about their age gap to diffuse things with Cook hoping that he’ll be able to hold his young children while on his deathbed, while Taylor quips about the importance of having kids while young.

David Hasselhoff & Hayley Roberts (28 years)

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Things have got to be a bit uncomfortable when your new bride is only nine years older than your daughter, but that is exactly where former Baywatch star, David Hasselhoff, finds himself after tying the knot with a the much younger, autograph seeking Welsh model, Haley Roberts. Yes, the two met when the 39-year-old Roberts tracked down the 67-year-old actor at his hotel, looking for an autograph for which Hasselhoff wanted her phone number in exchange. The two have been together ever since.

Heidi Klum & Tom Kaulitz (17 years)

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Now, we are all for gender equality, and seeing as how this list is dominated by older men with younger women, we had to toss in an older woman to provide some balance which leads us to the near 50 year old supermodel, Heidi Klum, grabbing herself up a much younger musician from Germany, Tom Kaulitz. The two only dated for roughly a year before tying the knot in 2019 and by all accounts are a very happy couple.

Don McLean & Paris Dylan (48 years)

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American Pie is one of the all-time great hits of the 1970’s. There was a minute when you couldn’t turn on your radio without hearing the catchy lyrics, and it has since found its way into historical lore and reincarnation via endless television commercials that use it to hawk their products. And writing such an iconic tune opens up your world to fame, wealth, and an array of very attractive and very young females. Introducing Paris Dylan, the 26-year-old model and regular on social media who bagged herself a legend, despite their 74-year age gap.

David Foster and Katherine McPhee (34 Years)

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With a quick glance at our next couple, one might assume that famed musician, composer, and producer, responsible for writing, and producing hits for the likes of Whitney Houston and Michael Bublé, as well as composing the scores for many hit movies, just picked up a much younger armpiece to show off at parties, but Katherine McPhee is a successful singer/songwriter in her own right. Despite their 34-year age difference, the couple boast of a very happy marriage where they often work together on a variety of music projects.

Bob Saget and Kelly Rizzo (23 Years)

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Bob Saget has enjoyed a very successful life as both a stand-up comedian and sitcom star. He was originally married to a woman his own age, Sherri Kramer, throughout the 80’s and 90’s until the couple split up in 1997. This left Bob a perpetual bachelor for the next 20 years until he was introduced to the much younger Kelly Rizzo through a mutual friend. Unfortunately, the couple was only able to share a brief four years together when Saget passed away suddenly in 2022.

Gavin Rossdale and Sophia Thomalla (24 Years)

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Life is not always easy for an aging rockstar. You don’t sell out stadiums like you once did, and the young and sexy woman that used to show up at your hotel for a tryst have moved on to becoming worn down, soccer moms. But all is not lost for Gavin Rossdale who, at the age of 52, is still reeling em in, like the German model Sophia Thomalla, a woman half his age. However, the pair only lasted a year before she was caught making out with a famous German soccer player, leaving Gavin out in the cold.

Sean Penn and Leila George (32 Years)

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In his lengthy career in Hollywood, 62-year-old Sean Penn has made the rounds with the ladies. From his often publicized, tumultuous relationship with Madonna, to his marriage and divorce from Robin Wright Penn, Sean has done just fine. And Penn has kept the streak going with Leila George, the beautiful, 30-year-old Australian actress. Unfortunately, George surprised Penn with divorce papers a year into their nuptials, with Penn admitting that the combination of alcohol, drugs, and his obsession with politics ruined their union.

Robin Thicke and April Love Geary (18 Years)

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The split of Robin Thicke and his partner of 21 years, Paula Patton, was heavily publicized and traumatic for the pair, with Robin working desperately to save a marriage that was fraught with infidelity on his part. But with the divorce of a megastar singer, comes the younger ladies, and the ink wasn’t even dry on the paperwork when one April Love Geary popped into the picture to grab up the crooner. The two are happily married and share three children together.

Dolph Lundgren and Emma Krokdal (38 Years)

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Dolph Lundgren is best known as the mindless Russian fighter from Rocky V, but did you know that this Swedish star has a Master’s degree in chemical engineering? But even being a highly intelligent, handsome, successful actor does not save you from the many head shakes you will receive from marrying your 24-year-old, physical trainer. Even though Krokdal is actually the same age as Lundgren’s daughter, he claims that they are a “perfect match” and they are already planning their wedding.

Michael Douglas’s and Catherine Zeta-Jones (25 years)

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Both Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were at the top of their acting game when they began dating, but that didn’t stop the couple from receiving extensive criticism for their quarter of a century difference in age. Turns out that Douglas and Zeta-Jones have gotten the last laugh as, even though they did experience a temporary split around 2013, they reconciled and are still going strong more than 20 years later.

Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick (32 Years)

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Billy Joel has never had a problem getting an attractive woman, after-all, he was married to supermodel Kristie Brinkley, and even though he has now made it into the sexagenarian age group, it’s difficult to let go of those young and successful hotties, hence his latest marriage to a 33-year-old, former Morgan Stanley executive and all-around beauty, Alexis Roderick. This is not a whirlwind romance; the couple have been together since 2009 and are expecting their first child.

Dennis Quaid and Laura Savoie (39 Years)

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Is it true that the fourth time is a charm? This may be the question 68-year-old Dennis Quaid is asking himself with his recent marriage to the 39-year-old Laura Savoie. Savoie is not like the typical yoga instructor or wannabe actress, she has a Master’s degree in accounting from Notre Dame, not an easy get. And she loves Quade for his “love of life.” It will remain to be seen whether or not Quaid can make this one last, but the odds aren’t bad.

John Stamos & Caitlin McHugh (23 years)

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The Fuller House star and his wife, 33, tied the knot on Feb. 3, 2018, in Studio City, California. After almost two years of dating, Stamos, 56, proposed Oct. 22, 2017, at Disneyland, one of McHugh’s favorite places. The pair first met while filming an episode of Law & Order: SVU in 2011, but it wasn’t love at first sight.

Mickey Rourke & Anastassija Makarenko (34 years)

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There was a time when Micky Rourke was one of the most sought after, leading men in Hollywood, thanks to his incredibly good looks and smooth charm. But, after many years out of the limelight and in the boxing ring where Rourke would compete, both his looks and his charm were gone. However, Micky still had enough swagger to land a very young, beautiful woman Anastassija Makarenko, some three decades younger than the “Pope from Greenwich Village” actor. The two would remain a couple for six years before they split, leaving Rourke as a bachelor ever since.

Mick Jagger & Melanie Hamrick (44 years)

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Besides being rock royalty, Mick Jagger just loves to have him some kids. Prior to meeting his latest conquest, 33-year-old ballerina Melanie Hamrick, the 76-year-old crooner already had seven children from previous relationships. And of course, at the ripe age of 76, Mick is a grandfather five times over. Jagger’s oldest child is roughly a decade older than his new bride, who, in 2016, gave birth to the Rolling Stones front man’s eight child, Deveraux Jagger.

Steven Tyler and Aimee Ann Preston (41 Years)

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As the front man for one of the most renown rock bands in history, Aerosmith, 74-year-old Steven Tyler has been rocking arenas for decades while enjoying all the perks that one might expect of someone of his status, including dating beautiful, younger woman. In an effort to keep things consistent, Tyler hooked up with his very attractive, 35-year-old personal assistant, Aimee Ann Preston. They’ve been together as early as 2014 and appear to be going strong to this day.

Zach Braff and Florence Pugh (21 Years)

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Actor and filmmaker, Zachary Israel Braff, has been a household name from his time playing J.D. on the hit television sitcom, “Scrubs” in the early 2000’s. He first met fellow actor Florence Pugh online, and the two then worked on a film together where they clicked and began dating. This led to criticism from online trolls for which Pugh responded that she was old enough to date who she wanted, regardless if that person was a quarter of a century older than she. The couple managed to make things work for three-years before calling it quits.

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