Bad knees- what workouts do you do?

Do get a clear diagnosis. I have a torn medial meniscus and because of where the tear is, I can't run, swim, cycle, X-train without aggravating it just now. Post-surgery and rehab I expect to be back Alpine mountaineering because that's what I have done before.

Right now I use the hand cycle and the weight machines (very carefully) at the gym. I do some Pilates and yoga moves too, but anything kneeling or cross-legged is a no no so I avoid classes. Walking on the flat works but stairs or too much speed / mileage is a problem.

Look after yourself! Without being clear on exactly what has happened you might make something worse - good luck

Zero cartilage left in the knees. I was convinced that bone grinding on bone limited the possibilities. Read: I was looking for an excuse not to run :laugh:
What happened is that I started power walking--low impact, is A Good Thing, right? Yes, until I pulled a ligament in my hip and long strides really, REALLY hurt. But I realized that running was possible. I've been running for five years, and my knees are very happy with me. What's putting a kink in it now is a serious foot injury (fracture and torn tendon) that limits activity to the treadmill and 30 min tops. I'm hoping to get it sorted out in the foreseeable (the actual injury happened nine months ago), because running is the one thing that really helps me control my weight--not an easy thing to do when you're perimenopausal and hypothyroid :grumble:

I have fibromyalgia and arthritis in at least one of my knees. I second the yoga and also, stationary biking. Especially a recumbant bike, where the weight is on your butt and you work your ab muscles some.

My right knee is what gives me problems. I've torn every ligament and have no cartilage left; I have pins and screws throughout it, and all cadaver parts, and i have arthritis (as expected). I have days where i can hardly walk, and I"m only 36. But what has helped me while it's really sore is doing something called T-Tapp (T-Tapp MORE program is what I use). It's very easy on knees and back. Think of the "sit & be fit" series from a long time ago--it's more to do with body position and I will tell you I ate my normal healthy way and after doing it for 4 weeks the inches were falling off just doing T-Tapp. I myself like to dance, so when it's not bothering me I pop in zumba or go to a Nia class. Just don't push it. That's how I tore my last ligament--I was working out & my personal trainer and myself pushed it a little too far and I could not walk for a week before I wen to see an orthopedic specialist.

you could probably do aquagym or aquazumba, the water takes the strain off your joints and the workout is fun