“exercise ”
What is the best exercise for me? I need both knees replaced and I'm 65.
Male | 65 years old
15 Answers
A recumbent bike can be very helpful with hip osteoarthritis. Physical therapy can also be a highly effective conservative approach. Sometimes osteoarthritis is present, but may not necessarily be the primary source of pain in a person. Muscles move moves and support your skeleton. If you strengthen your muscles you can decrease the force/load on your joints. If osteoarthritis is truly the primary cause of your pain then the gold standard is a replacement. However keep in mind physical therapy before a replacement (pre-hab) had been shown to improve post operative conditions as your muscles are stronger.
If you do decide to get surgery also remember that no two knees are the same and I HIGHLY recommend against getting both at the same time. All the best
If you do decide to get surgery also remember that no two knees are the same and I HIGHLY recommend against getting both at the same time. All the best
Unfortunately, with the need of both knees to be replaced due to I’m sure arthritic changes all you can do is some low impact exercises the strengthen the surrounding muscles prior to a surgery. You will most likely not be able to get rid of the pain I’m assuming you are having with exercise alone if it is confirmed you need replacements. Strengthening your quads and hamstrings and well as gluteals will be your best bet.
Merissa Denning, DPT
Merissa Denning, DPT
Low-impact exercise such as rowing or biking for cardiovascular exercise or pilates for strength training are best and will allow you to condition with minimal pain to knees.
A stationary exercise bike is your best bet.
Thanks for asking!
Okon Antia, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS
Thanks for asking!
Okon Antia, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS
Hi!
Two of the best exercises you should do for GOOD KNEE HEALTH are quadriceps strengthening (your quads are the large muscles on the front of your thighs) and gluteal strengthening (the gluteals are the muscles around your hips and buttocks). Please visit our YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0CQR98pWVaMI9c7wXFDZrg for more information and your personalized video!
Dr. Negin
Two of the best exercises you should do for GOOD KNEE HEALTH are quadriceps strengthening (your quads are the large muscles on the front of your thighs) and gluteal strengthening (the gluteals are the muscles around your hips and buttocks). Please visit our YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0CQR98pWVaMI9c7wXFDZrg for more information and your personalized video!
Dr. Negin
Hi,
The best exercises vary on the patient. You may want to have a full evaluation to spot where your weaknesses are to be more efficient.
Kindly,
Kristin Sapienza, PT, DPT
The best exercises vary on the patient. You may want to have a full evaluation to spot where your weaknesses are to be more efficient.
Kindly,
Kristin Sapienza, PT, DPT
I would see a physical therapist to determine where your weaknesses lie.
The two most important universal tips I can give are to find something that has one aspect that is fun and enjoyable. If you are not going to continue with it, there is not as much benefit from the exercising. The second critical aspect is something that is pain free. If you have pain, you are only reinforcing the problem causing the overuse straining of the knees.
Quad strengthening and joint mobilization.
Even though the knees need a replacement the specific exercise to be considered best would all depend on how the patient is presenting. A thorough examination would be required to address which exercise would be best for the patient!
Since you are having knee replacement, you need to strengthen the muscles around your knee, specifically the quadriceps muscles, isometric ex's is highly recommend.
My suggestion is isometric exercises where the muscles surrounding the knee joint are contracted without putting a strain on the joints themselves. A weakness of the quadriceps muscles (4 muscles in the front of the thigh) is often associated with knee pain in arthritic and non-arthritic knees. I would begin with simple straight leg lifts in a supine position (back-lying). You can find other examples of isometric exercises online.
Hello! Osteoarthritis which is the most likely diagnosis influencing the need for total joint replacement usually responds best to low load exercise activities - examples of that would likely be a stationary or recumbent bicycle and even better than that aquatic exercise can be very effective in off loading pressure form your knee joints. I would always recommend consulting your primary care physician before embarking on any new fitness plan.
Practically any kind of cardiovascular activity that doesn't put much weight bearing force on your knees...elliptical, biking, rowing, swimming.
Walking in a pool.
