Osteoarthritis Knee Exercises for Mobility

You may have heard that osteoarthritis knee exercises can help manage your condition. And, while you can't cure arthritis, you can help reduce pain and stiffness by getting regular exercise. Still, if you want long-lasting relief, you may need to explore medical solutions.

These osteoarthritis knee exercises can help

Any form of exercise can help build muscle strength, taking pressure off your joints. Exercising regularly will also help you maintain your weight, mobility and balance. Just remember, before you try any of these osteoarthritis knee exercises, be sure to clear your routine with your doctor:

• Stretch every day
• Work with weights, resistance bands, or weight machines, on alternating days
• On most days, engage in moderate, joint-friendly cardio such as swimming, walking and biking
• Practice yoga or tai chi to boost balance and posture and improve your sleep quality

Specific Stretches to Try Each Day

Daily calf and hamstring stretches can boost your flexibility and the range of motion in your joints while providing some knee pain relief. Before stretching, take a five-minute walk for a gentle warm up. Now, lie down and loop a bedsheet around your left foot, gently pulling your leg straight and keeping it that way for 20 seconds. With your hamstrings addressed, it's time to turn to stand up and pay attention to your calf muscles. Start by grabbing onto a chair for balance, bending your right leg and stepping back with your left. Slowly straighten the left leg behind you, carefully moving the heel toward the floor until you feel a stretch in that back leg. Hold your foot there for 20 seconds before switching sides. And take care with these any any other movements, so that you can avoid worsening your pain or causing any kind of joint damage.

Safer exercise with knee osteoarthritis

When exercising with knee osteoarthritis, these safety tips will help protect your joints. First, start slowly and pay close attention to your body. Make sure trainers or fitness instructors know that you have arthritis before you train with them. And stop exercising and rest if any movement causes pain.

When getting ready to try these osteoarthritis knee exercises, prepare your body with heat. After exercise, ice your joints for up to 20 minutes. And always avoid high-impact workouts, opting for low impact movement instead.

Relieve knee osteoarthritis without surgery

While some patients manage their pain with osteoarthritis knee exercises and other lifestyle measures, those who still experience arthritis pain can find relief without surgery. How? Explore the option of Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) in Georgia.

This is a minimally invasive procedure that relieves pain and inflammation while helping defer or avoid knee replacement surgery. Performed by our interventional radiologist in Georgia, some patients can even delay disease progression by undergoing. Ready to see if you're a candidate for this procedure? Click here to request an appointment!