Overcoming weak knees

I think checking with your doctor first is good advice. With the types of injuries you have had, physical therapy may be suggested. It would be covered by your insurance, assuming you have insurance. If your doc oks you to exercise and no PT is required, I suggest starting with swimming and water exercise. It will allow you to begin moving those joints without strain or impact. It will be kind to your joints and your back. You can get a surprisingly good work out at a water boot camp! Walk as much as you can without pain. As your knees begin to feel a little more strong, you might consider paying for a trainer. Do you research and find one that is certified to work with people with sports injuries. They can find ways to challenge you without causing further pain or complications. It's expensive but not as expensive as health bills later.

Amanda, I had a fall when I was very young and tore ligaments in my knee. Years later, I tore my meniscus, and had surgery. Then I developed arthritis and had surgery to "clean it out". All this on the same knee! Until recently, I avoided stairs like the plague, which is not too hard to do here in the Southwest with many houses being ranch style and taller building often having elevators.

I still exercised by walking and later using recumbent bikes and treadmills at gyms. About a year ago I joined a new gym and saw a trainer just twice. He gave me specific exercises to strengthen my knee. I also have lost 69 lbs in the last 5 years. Now I do not have to avoid stairs at all. I would not say my knee is perfect, but I do climb a pretty large set of stairs at my job now without hesitation and without pain.

Amanda, I think if you have an opportunity to continue to see a specialist who can advise you on what exercises to do and still be "kind" to your knee, that would be a good idea. Also you may think about whether additional weight loss might help. But personally, I would NEVER do squats or a machine like a stair master at the gym. Not good for knees!!! I still do the recumbent bike and walk on a treadmill 3-5 times a week and do weight machines that do not stress my knee. I have done swimming previously but my current gym does not have a pool. Swimming is a good choice also, though.

I hope that helps.

I injured my right knee 18 months ago while running (dog tripped me and I injured the knee as I fell). I found that utilizing the lower body strength training machines at the gym have helped. I typically do 3 sets of 20-15-10 reps with moderate weight. I recently increased my weights and decreased my reps to 10-8-6. I feel safer using the machines than the free weights.