Is there any good exercise I can do with a bad knee?

Bicycling and swimming are some good ones.

Not sure what your injury is, but when i hurt my knee a few years ago (torn meniscus) my physical therapist had me do the elliptical on low incline and was okay with me doing swimming. I will say, though, that very vigorous swimming did cause some discomfort in my knee.

Depending on how bad it is, there may be some lower body strength exercises that you can also do with a bad knee. Do some research on different exercises, and pay close attention to proper form. If the majority of the resistance is on other parts of the leg, the knees aren't as involved, and have less of an opportunity to be injured. Building up the muscles around them, can actually make them stronger and hurt less over the long run. My left knee was wrecked but after I learned about proper squat form and started working out, it quit hurting completely. Again though, it depends on how bad the knee actually is. Talk to a doctor, or physical therapist about ways to train around it. For just general exercise though, what Drop_It said is bang on. Good luck and be safe!

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I ride a stationary recumbent bike due to a knee problem. It gets me heart rate up enough for a good workout and is strengthening the muscles of my legs. In 2 months the pain in my knee has gradually been declining and Im able to increase the resistance little by little. It feels like I am doing my own rehab.

Depending on how bad it is, there may be some lower body strength exercises that you can also do with a bad knee. Do some research on different exercises, and pay close attention to proper form. If the majority of the resistance is on other parts of the leg, the knees aren't as involved, and have less of an opportunity to be injured. Building up the muscles around them, can actually make them stronger and hurt less over the long run. My left knee was wrecked but after I learned about proper squat form and started working out, it quit hurting completely. Again though, it depends on how bad the knee actually is. Talk to a doctor, or physical therapist about ways to train around it. For just general exercise though, what Drop_It said is bang on. Good luck and be safe!

What he said! Talk to a PT.

What exactly is wrong with your knee? I had surgery for a torn meniscus a while ago, and my knee is as good as new now (I am just extra careful not to do stupid things that caused the injury in the first place). After surgery, the rehab was fairly straightforward and involved mostly strengthening the quads.

Some very simple low-risk things you can do: while sitting on a chair, extend both of your legs forward, and hold that position for 30 seconds. Or, while lying down on your back, raise one leg at a time, holding it straight as you do so.

Another no-impact exercise is xc skiing, or if your gym has a Nordic Track, it would be an okay substitute.

Not sure what your injury is, but when i hurt my knee a few years ago (torn meniscus) my physical therapist had me do the elliptical on low incline and was okay with me doing swimming. I will say, though, that very vigorous swimming did cause some discomfort in my knee.

This. I blew out my right knee when I was younger, and now am having issues with my left knee as well, but my Trainer got me on the elliptical, building up my muscles and endurance in a low impact process. also, sitting leg extensions, to start building the muscles around your knee, to help take some of the pressure and impact - sit in a chair facing forward (by a wall to start, for help with balance) and bring one leg up fully extended, back down, then the other leg. work slow, and and before you know it, you'll really notice a difference. at least, I did!

Biktram Yoga was designed for knee pain.

I have osteoarthritis in my knees and had a 3rd degree sprain in my right knee that has never quite healed. I am able to do squats and lunges as long as I use proper form and I wear a knee brace on my right knee for added stability. My only suggestion is to strengthen the muscles in you quads and hamstrings to support your knee better.

It really depends on the type of injury, but anything low-impact that doesn't put a lot of pressure on the joint should be fine. I notice a lot of people are saying swimming, however my doctor advised me against using breaststroke with a bad (dislocation-prone) knee, so maybe bear that in mind.

Agree w/previous posters recommending you see a physical therapist. Tell your doctor you'd like a referral to one. Let the therapist know that you are highly motivated & want exercises that will really make you work, but not aggravate your knee. Usually you could get what you need in just a single visit, then do the exercises at home.

To find a good physical therapist, make some calls to college coaches in your area and/or gyms (personal trainers), & ask them for recommendations. See if the same name pops up more than once. Also Google their name with the word "reviews." There's HUGE differences in good & bad PTs.

I am dealing with a bad knee right now & I found several videos on youtube after doing a search for chair workouts & chair cardio...all give me a good workout & have me sweating...I am using 3 & 5 lb weights for my arms, back, & shoulders as well. Water Aerobics and the elliptical have also been suggested to me but I workout at home. Lastly, I found some great standing ab workouts on youtube as well.

I was extremly leary at first BUT coupled with continued good eating, the pounds keep coming off!

Good Luck

Definitely see a physical therapist if you can. They can give you things to do specific to the injury you are dealing with, as well as possibly suggest a brace for you. I've torn everything in my knee and had major surgery on it as well and I am able to do elliptical, walking, hiking, and weight lifting with the proper brace. It can be done, you just need to have the right combination of support and therapy to get there.

Definitely take it easy too. Don't push it too hard with an injury. Starting slow is worth it. Once you strengthen the joint and the muscles around it you will be able to increase your intensity. It does get better. Just give it time and make sure you see a physical therapist to get the right resources for your own situation!

Good luck and best wishes! You can do it!

I have arthritis in both knees and a patella that doesn't sit in the right place...talk about bad knees.

I have found that Aleve before working out to keep the swelling down and minimizes pain (mine is destined to stay), I wrap the right one (w/floating knee cap) on days that it hurts.

You can do sitting leg lefts with ankle rotated to the outsides, calf raises and modified squats. If you do modified squats, don't bend as far, but use some weights to add to the workout.

Swimming helps since the water is cool and keeps my knees comfortable. I will wear ankle weights and do squats, walk and run in the pool along with laps. I can't do the eliptical for long periods, it aggrevates them more, but I do tend to use the treadmill, and running on solid ground will kill them (but I perservere).

Good luck.