Leg exercises with knee injury

lisa_lamb

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with Chondramalacia Patella (in both knees) a few weeks ago and as a result cannot do much on my legs at all. No squats, no lunges, no jumping jacks, no running etc. My knees are too sore for cycling at the moment but hoping to start doing it soon.

Just wondered if anyone could suggest stuff I can do to stop my leg muscles disappearing?! I have been doing 3 upper body sessions a week but stuck for leg exercises..

schmenge55

Not directly the legs but can you do "butt" (i.e. glute medius) exercises? Leg lifts, clams, monster walks, etc.

Skeebee

I have patellae tracking disorder in both knees and I do Zumba. Just, I don't do any jumping. I do toe raises at the points where they jump. I still managed to lose my 43lbs doing it and did NOT jeopardize my knees. You just have to be careful.

stillnot2late

That sucks really really bad, it has put my life on hold practically, when it comes to exercise and long walks. I wonder if I will end up with a hover-round.

grassette

Swimming and aquafitness are great exercises to tone your legs. Just avoid the twisting stuff when starting out. Water is great because you are supported by it, and can do things in the water that would be impossible out of the pool. Wear knee guards to strengthen your knees for walking. Get poles for walking. They help your arms carry some of your weight and provide good support when walking outside. Tai chi is also good, but you need to choose your instructor. The good ones will give a trial lesson, so you can see if their style is OK on the knees. Not all are. Try Yang-style tai chi as opposed to other styles. And whatever the exercise, modify it to compensate for your weak knees until they become stronger.

And get a good physio therapist, if you don't already have one. They can teach you specific exercises using weights that will strengthen those muscles, then you can keep it up at home.

Exercycling is good too, as soon as you are able.

pen2u

My knees are all messed up. My doc just told me to do small, straight-leg leg lifts while laying on my back on the floor, with ankle weights. She said 100 each leg per day.

lisa_lamb

Thanks guys, I will try your suggestions I am on a waiting list for an NHS Physio and have been told it will be 5 weeks. Can't afford to go private unfortunately

kenazfehu

Some gyms/health clubs have a machine that was originally developed to rehabilitate knee injuries called the ArcTrainer. Mine does, and I will be taking advantage because the Shred showed me that a knee strain I developed from a fall weeks ago has not healed.