Top 5 Exercises for Knee Arthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints of the knee, causing pain and discomfort. It is a common form of arthritis, and it is estimated that around 35 million Americans and 8.5 million British people are affected by it.

Knee osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown and degeneration of the cartilage and other tissues that support the knee joint. As the cartilage wears away, the bones of the knee joint rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness. The condition usually develops slowly over time, and symptoms may include pain and swelling in the knee joint, difficulty walking, and a decreased range of motion.

What are the best treatments for Knee Arthritis?

Without doubt, therapy works incredibly well. At Surrey Physio, we see hundreds of patients every year with knee arthritis and they respond incredibly well to manual therapy, exercise therapy and electrotherapy. Just check out some of our testimonials from our home page.

You can get a one-to-one consultation with one of our physiotherapists or osteopaths at Surrey Physio at one of our main locations to speak to an expert about your arthritis. We’ll use shared decision making to discuss what is right for you, whether that be a course of treatment, rehab, lifestyle changes (weight loss), or injections such as Ostenil Plus.

What is the latest research on knee arthritis

Recent research has highlighted the importance of exercise and lifestyle modifications for treating knee arthritis. Studies have found that exercise can reduce inflammation, increase muscle strength, improve range of motion and reduce pain. Other research has focused on treatments such as physical therapy, glucosamine and chondroitin, and stem cell therapy. Our patients at Surrey Physio typically get very mixed results with glucosamine and chondroitin, with many finding that it just does not do anything.

Research is also ongoing into the use of biologic agents, such as platelet-rich plasma, stem cells, and medication, as well as alternative therapies for knee arthritis. We have very good results with alternative therapies such as acupuncture. We also use more conventional therapies like osteopathy and physiotherapy. Manual mobilisation to the knees seems to work very well for knee arthritis.

Here are Surrey Physio’s top 5 exercises for knee arthritis:

1. Range-of-Motion Exercises: Range-of-motion exercises help to keep the joints mobile and flexible. Examples include knee bends (quad stretches) and hamstring stretches (to encourage your knee to fully straighten).

2. Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening exercises help to build up the muscles supporting the knee, which can help to reduce the stress on the joint and improve stability. Examples include squats, step-ups, and leg presses.

3. Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise: Low-impact aerobic exercise such as walking, biking, and swimming can help to maintain a healthy weight, reduce inflammation, and improve overall fitness.

4. Balance Exercises: Balance exercises help to improve stability and prevent falls. Examples include standing on one foot and doing heel-to-toe walking.

5. Aquatic Exercises: Aquatic exercises can be beneficial for those with knee arthritis because the buoyancy of the water helps to reduce the stress on the joint. Examples include walking in a pool, water aerobics, and water-resistance exercises.

(These videos are provided by Rehab My Patient – the best exercise prescription software for therapists to prescribe exercises www.rehabmypatient.com. If you are a patient needing advice, call Surrey Physio to book a telephone/video consultation with one of our expert physios or osteopaths, or book in face-to-face for an appointment. You can call us on 0208 685 6930 or book online by clicking the link at the top of the page).