Knee arthritis can impair mobility, but exercises like kickbacks and leg lifts may strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint and keep you active.
There are many exercises that you can perform if you have arthritic knees.
As a certified fitness trainer, I went through a vast amount of research to know more about arthritic knees and to find the best exercises you can perform if you have the condition.
Upon testing many exercises with my clients, I came up with a list of a few that stood out as best.
This article will provide my expertise and findings on the best exercises for arthritic knees and tips for starting the workouts.
Quick Summary
- Some of the best exercises for arthritic knees include straight leg raise, hamstring stretch, kickbacks, the calm, calf stretches, and sit to stand.
- These exercises improve strength and mobility and lessen joint discomfort and fatigue.
- Any movement exercise for arthritis-related knee discomfort ought to be low-impact and simple. Each exercise should assist you in enhancing your flexibility or stamina.
The Best Exercises for Arthritic Knees
Straight Leg Raise
Strengthen your muscles to assist in supporting your joints.
How to perform:
- Lie on the ground with your elbows supporting your upper body. Bend the left knee and place your foot on the ground.
- Maintain a straight right leg with toes pointing up.
- Tighten the muscles in your thighs and elevate your right leg.
- Pause for three seconds. Maintain a strong grip on your thigh muscles and gently lower your foot.
- Touch and elevate once more.
- Perform two sets of ten repetitions. Switch legs after each set.
Learn More: How to Do Hanging Leg Raises
Hamstring Stretch
This stretches and develops the hamstrings, the muscle groups on the backs of your thighs that connect to your knees.
How to perform:
- Lie on the ground or on your bed with your knees bent.
- Slowly raise one bent leg and bring it back near your chest.
- Straighten your leg by linking your hands behind the thigh muscles, not your knee.
- Pull the straight foot back toward the head until the stretch is felt.
- Hold for thirty to sixty seconds before bending your knee and lowering your leg to the floor.
Also Read: Seated Hamstring Stretches In Chair
Kickbacks
This exercise is excellent for strengthening leg muscles and decreasing knee stiffness.
How to perform:
- Start standing with your leg straight.
- Lift one foot and move the heel toward the buttocks by bending the knee.
- Hold for two seconds before lowering the leg.
- Knees should be aligned, and posture should be straight.
- Repeat ten to twenty times per session.
- Perform these exercises several times every day.
Related: How To Do Cable Kickbacks
The Clam
The lying-down clam exercise strengthens the buttocks. It targets the glutes.
Weak glutes frequently cause knee soreness, at least partly because they cause the knee joints to absorb too much force. Less strain is placed on the knees as a result of buttock strength.
How to perform:
- Lie on your side.
- Align the shoulders, pelvis, and feet, having your hips and knees bent at 90 degrees.
- Maintain a tight foothold.
- Raise the top knee as high as possible, then gradually lower it.
- Repeat on the opposite side while holding a stretch for three to five seconds.
- Do this ten to twenty-five times daily.
Calf Stretch
Exercises for the calf will keep your ankle and lower leg flexible, enhancing your balance and gait.
How to perform:
- Face the wall with your feet flat on the ground.
- Place one foot in front of you and one leg behind you.
- For support, place both hands or forearms on the wall.
- While keeping your heel of the foot behind you firmly planted on the ground, slowly bend the front knee.
- Hold the position for 30 seconds after you feel a stretch in the calf muscle at the rear of your ankle.
- Perform three repetitions once daily.
Sit to Stand
Practice this motion to make standing simpler.
How to perform:
- Put two cushions on a chair. Sit on the top with both feet flat on the ground and your back straight.
- Use the leg muscles to smoothly and slowly stand up tall.
- Then descend again to sit.
- Make sure your toes don't extend past your bent knees.
- Try holding your arms loosely at your sides or crossed.
Tips for Starting These Exercises
“There's no need to swim for miles or run a marathon. Even light exercise can reduce discomfort and maintain a healthy weight. In other words, exercising can keep you going even while arthritis wants to slow you down.”
- Lauren Jarmusz, Orthopedic Clinical Specialist & Physical Therapist
Start cautiously if you haven't worked out in a while. Pushing yourself too hard might overwork muscles and aggravate joint discomfort. Consider the following tips:
- Maintain a modest impact. Low-impact workouts help to reduce joint tension when moving [1]. Examples are stationary or recumbent riding, elliptical trainer sessions, and water training.
- Move slowly. Warm up your joints by moving them lightly at the beginning. Start with 5 to 10 minutes of range-of-motion exercises before moving on to cardio or strengthening exercises.
- Make use of heat. The heat helps relax joints and muscles, reducing discomfort before activity [2]. Warm towels, hot packs, or a shower can be used to deliver heat. The temperature ought to be warm but not scorching. Apply for approximately 20 minutes.
- Go slowly. Slow and gentle motions are ideal for exercise. Pause if you are in pain. Sharp discomfort and knee pain greater than normal joint pain may indicate something is amiss. If you see redness or swelling in your joints, slow down.
- Ice afterward. After exercise, apply ice to the joints for a maximum of 20 minutes. This is especially beneficial if the joints are swollen [3].
FAQs
What Exercises Should I Avoid With Arthritis in My Knees?
With arthritis in your knee, you should avoid squatting, running, repeated jumping, contact sports, and walking or running upstairs.
Is Walking Good for Arthritis in the Knee?
Yes, walking is good for arthritis in the knee. It's low-impact, keeps the joints flexible, promotes bone health, and lowers the chance of osteoporosis.
What Makes Knee Osteoarthritis Worse?
Too much stress on the joint will make knee osteoarthritis worse.
Supplementing Your Exercises for Arthritic Knees
Exercise is an important component of arthritis therapy. However, because arthritis may change over time, each strategy for treatment, including the aforementioned exercises, may need to be adjusted.
These exercises can help you gain muscle strength and reduce arthritis pain and joint discomfort.
However, I suggest incorporating these best joint supplements to get the most out of your workouts and alleviate knee joint discomfort even more.
These supplements contain micronutrients clinically proven to provide anti-inflammatory advantages to enhance joint health.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1402378/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25526231/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5339266/
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