Reduce Pain With These 5 Exercises for Knee Osteoarthritis

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, approximately 14 million people in the United States have symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Over time, the cartilage on the bones that form our knees begins to wear away; this causes inflammation, which we refer to as osteoarthritis. As the disease progresses, it can affect surrounding muscle, tendon, and ligaments, therefore, contributing to significant pain and dysfunction.1

The diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis is based on two primary findings: radiographic evidence of changes in bone health and an individual’s symptoms. This condition can affect both men and women. OA is more prevalent in men under the age of 45, but after that, it’s more common in women.2

For people with hip and knee osteoarthritis, many high-quality research studies show that exercise is very helpful in decreasing pain and improving joint motion. If you have hip and knee OA, you might not be getting enough physical activity and exercise throughout the day to stay healthy.

This research stands to support that physical therapy may be the missing key to joint preservation.

Although exercise should be tailored to your needs, five simple yet effective exercises are listed below to assist in improving knee strength, range of motion, and stability. Also, if exercise on land is too painful, aquatic therapy may be an option as well.

5 Knee Strengthening Exercises for Osteoarthritis

1. Heel Slides

Gently loop a strap around your ankle and lie on your back. With your knees comfortably bent, gently pull on the strap to slide your target heel toward your buttock enough that you feel a stretch in the front of your knee. Return to your original position and repeat. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 10 repetitions on each leg.

 

2. Quadriceps Sets (Quad Sets)

While lying on your back or sitting upright with your knees straight, tighten your top thigh muscle to press the back of your knee downward. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 15 times.

3. Straight Leg Raise (SLR)

While lying on your back with one knee bent, perform a quad set and raise up your target leg with a straight knee. Tip: Only raise your leg as high as the bent knee. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10-15 times on each leg.

4. Hamstring Stretch

While lying on your back with one knee bent, raise up your target leg and use your hands to hold the back of your knee. Pull the leg upwards toward your face until a stretch is felt behind the leg. Hold for 20-30 seconds, relax, and repeat two more times on each leg.

5. Gastrocnemius Stretch (Gastroc)

While lying on your back with one knee bent, raise up your target leg and use your hands to hold the back of your knee. Pull the leg upwards toward your face until a stretch is felt behind the leg. Hold for 20-30 seconds, relax, and repeat two more times on each leg.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Sore Arm from a Shot? Here’s What to Do

Arm soreness after a flu shot or vaccine is a common side effect that can make movement uncomfortable. Learn simple exercises that may help reduce the pain and speed up recovery.

Foam Roller Exercise

5 Foam Roller Exercises for Back and Shoulders

Do your shoulders feel tight after a long day? Or maybe your upper back feels stiff after sitting, working out or spending too much time in one position. A foam roller is a simple tool that can help relieve muscle tightness, improve mobility and keep your back and shoulders moving comfortably. Whether you’re recovering from a workout or just trying to loosen up, these five exercises are an easy place to start.

Backpack Safety

Backpacks are a convenient way for students to carry around their schoolbooks and supplies throughout the day, but using them incorrectly can lead to serious muscle and joint injuries. Carrying a heavy load can strain the shoulders, back, and neck. As a result, the body tries to compensate by leaning forward or sideways, which can lead to misalignment of the spine and weakening of muscles.

Managing and Preventing Incontinence with Physical Therapy

More than 25 million adult Americans suffer from incontinence. Men and women are often embarrassed to seek treatment for loss of bladder or bowel control. Urinary and fecal incontinence can cause low self-esteem, create social isolation, and impair quality of life. Incontinence is the lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation. There are two major types of incontinence and they are treated differently.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.