Exercise
Daily exercise helps in keeping the muscles strong and maintaining mobility. It’s a necessary tool for treating knee arthritis and other causes of knee pain. Limiting movement or resting the leg may help you avoid pain, but it results in joint stiffness and slow recovery. In the case of OA, not enough exercise and mobility may speed up the rate of joint damage.
Studies have revealed that, for patients with OA, practicing with another individual can be usually beneficial. This could be a trainer or an exercise buddy. Trainers also advise people to find an exercise or activity they enjoy.
You can perform low-impact activities, such as:
- Walking
- Cycling
- Swimming or aquatic exercise
- Yoga or tai chi
However, you may need to avoid exercise if you have:
- Severe knee pain
- An injury, such as a strain or a sprain
- A flare-up of symptoms
When you return to exercise after any injury, you may need to select a more gentle option than you usually perform. Ask your physical therapist or doctor to help you design an exercise program that’s suitable for you with several adaptations as your symptoms change.