Arthritis affects millions of people around the world. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both types often lead to knee pain.
Exercising an arthritic knee may seem counterintuitive, but regular exercise can actually lessen — and even relieve — arthritis pain and other symptoms, such as stiffness and swelling.
There are several reasons to exercise with knee arthritis:
Exercise doesn’t have to be hard to be beneficial. In fact, gentle, low-impact exercises are best for knee arthritis. They minimize stress on the joint as they increase its flexibility and strength. Learn more about osteoarthritis here.
The best knee exercises may be the ones you can do at home or even during a break at the office. They’re easy, effective, and convenient, and don’t require any special equipment. Do them slowly and gradually increase the number of repetitions as your muscles get stronger.
Afterward, be sure to do a few gentle stretching exercises to help prevent your muscles from tightening up. Consider exercising your knees every other day to give sore muscles a rest.
Exercise tip: Start with one set of four for each leg.
Why it works: This exercise strengthens the quadriceps, which are the large muscles on the fronts of your thighs that attach to your knee joints.
Exercise tip: Perform the stretch 1 time on each leg.
Why it works: This exercise stretches and strengthens your hamstrings, which are the muscles on the backs of the thighs that attach to the knees.
There should be no pain while performing this exercise.
Exercise tip: Do 10 repetitions, and slowly work up to three sets of 10.
Why it works: This exercise strengthens the muscles on the fronts and backs of your thighs, along with the gluteus.
Exercise tip: Start with one set of four leg dips for both legs, and slowly work up to three sets.
Why it works: This exercise strengthens the muscles on the fronts and backs of your thighs, as well as your buttocks.
Exercise tip: Repeat and switch legs whenever one begins to tire, 10 times.
Why it works: This exercise also strengthens the quadriceps.
Walking is an excellent form of exercise. It’s low-impact, and because it’s a weight-bearing exercise, it helps strengthen muscles and build bone. Wear good, sturdy shoes. Start out slow, and gradually increase your pace and distance for best results.
Water exercises or walking in the shallow end of a pool are also great for muscle strength and knee flexibility. Because the body is buoyant in water, it lessens impact to near zero as it makes you work a little harder to move.
Look for water exercise classes through your local Arthritis Foundation, community recreation center, or gym.
If you can, put a moist-heat pack on your arthritic knee for 20 minutes before you start exercising. Heat is soothing and it also brings the blood to the surface, decreases stiffness, and sometime relieves pain.
If you take pain medications, try taking them about 45 minutes before you exercise for increased pain control during your workout.
After exercising, put an ice pack on the sore knee for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help to bring down any swelling caused by exercise. It will also help to soothe and relieve pain.
Mild discomfort during exercise is normal. So is being a little bit sore the day after exercise. But if you experience severe pain, swelling, or stiffness, stop exercising the affected joint and see your doctor.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trusted Source, people with knee arthritis should do moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, five days per week. You can even break it down into three 10-minute sessions each day, which works just as well.
You should experience better mobility and less pain within four to six weeks.