Doctors Orders

stephshirley

According to a doctor in a walk in centre I have 'prepateller bursitis', which is basically a problem regarding my knees and she's told me that I must not do any exercise other than swimming, but I'm paying £16 a month gym membership and there are no pools near me, not to mention I would not feel confident swimming at my current weight.
I've had a problem with my knees for a while and since building my fitness up a bit my knees have just deteriorated and I'm at the point where I can hardly walk, let alone work out even very low level, easy, calm cardio so I have no idea what to do.
I feel like I'm at a bit of a dead end. How can I reach my goal weight, or even a healthy weight without regular exercise? Not to mention the fact that I was so excited to improve my health but to be told I must not do any exercise at all.. Does this mean I can't exercise ever?! How else can I safely lose weight and have a nice toned body without exercise? I can cut my calorie even more but that's just going to make my health 10000x worse.
I'd really appreciate help, exercise plans that won't damage my knees further but still burn a considerate amount of calories? Any help.. Any at all please

Marcia315

Go see a different doctor. Go see a physical therapist.

wilsoje74

See an orthopedist or physical therapist (or both), continue to lose weight which will help your knees

ZOOpergal

Until you are able to move around comfortably, looks like youre stuck with just regulating your food intake for now. You can still lose weight.

threefancy

Get a second opinion.

Also, I'm assuming you could still do upper body resistance training.

keeptehpeace

you need physio for housemaid's knee, if it's chronic there are surgeries for it

wannaBrunnner81

See an orthopedist or physical therapist (or both), continue to lose weight which will help your knees

Agreed. Go see a specialist. I am recovering from knee surgery (torn acl) and loosing weigh has been the best thing for my recovery, that and working out. I am sure the doc at the walk in clinic is a fine professional, bust for such a diagnosis you really need to see a specialist. Good luck!

bennettinfinity

OP - First of all, let me second the motion for you to check with a specialist before throwing in the towel. Know for certain what you're dealing with and what your true limitations are.

That said, I too suffer from periods of knee pain (though not at your apparent level). I recently bought an indoor rower and while legs are involved in the exercise, it is non-weight bearing and causes me no troubles. YMMV, but if you're cleared medically, I'd check to see if you gym has rowing equipment and give it a try. If you're able to use the equipment without exacerbating your knee condition, it's a great cardio/full-body exercise.

bcattoes

I don't understand the comment about not wanting to swim at your current weight. Swimming is great exercise when overweight because it doesn't stress the joints as much as many other exercises. Is it because you don't want to wear a swimsuit in public.

But, as someone above mentioned, you should still be able to do upper body exercises, and core exercises. If this only affects your knees, I would think you could also do things like lying leg lifts.

When your doctor gave you this advice, did you explain that you don't have access to a pool and ask for other suggestions?

I also agree with other posters than a second opinion or referral to a physical therapist might be a good idea.

alathIN

It sounds like you are resistant to swimming, but actually it is one of the best forms of exercise when you are overweight and having joint problems.

If you have a confidence problem, perhaps consider swim instruction?

I don't know if this is your issue or not, but some overweight people are self-conscious about being in public in swimwear. I was there at one point and I am still above my ideal body weight, but really the atmosphere in a fitness pool is nothing like that of a recreational pool or beach. When I go to swim laps, I am not looking at other people's bodies and I don't think anyone is looking at me, either. When you're doing fitness-oriented swimming, you're focused on what you're doing and you soon forget about being self conscious.

FreedomSand

I agree with all the above.
- see a specialist
- see a PT
- do upper body weights, and core training

I have knee issues, and take a high dose prescription NSAID morning and night. I was walking with 2 canes, until my primary doc referred me to a specialist. He is the one who set up the script. This allows me to walk and move, pain free. I can exercise.

Every 10 pounds you lose will help a LOT with the knee issues.

supermysza

Get a second opinion.

Just because the diagnosis is not what you wanted to hear doesn't mean the doctor is wrong. I agree that seeing a physio might be helpful though, they'll be able to help you with a set of exercises that your knees can handle.

midnightjogger

Thank you for your posting. It helped me out quite a bit. I have knee issues too, and am waiting for my insurance to kick in to begin physical therapy. In the meantime I have tried Power walking videos-which put me in such pain I can hardly walk the next day. The idea of knee lifts and swimming as an option are very good ideas. Again thank you for your post.

threefancy

Get a second opinion.

Just because the diagnosis is not what you wanted to hear doesn't mean the doctor is wrong. I agree that seeing a physio might be helpful though, they'll be able to help you with a set of exercises that your knees can handle.

If the doctor told her to do no exercise at all except for swimming, then yes, he/she is probably wrong.