My knee will not do the movement necessary for the elliptical. I do Aquafit as bet as my knee will allow and Silver sneakers and Zumba Gold Many of the exercises I must adapt.

Recumbant bikes with no resistance, walking, elliptical with no resistance and swimming are best.

I also was injured in middle school and now have osteoarthritis in my knees as a result. My OA was diagnosed about a week ago - I'm 25. I'm determined to lose weight to help my OA and to feel and look great. I know we can do it!

I would really recommend water exercises. I'm doing a mix of aqua and land PT and even just walking in the water is great exercise and no-impact. Lots of stretching, too - particularly of the IT band (the tendon on the outside of your knee). If you have flare-ups, I'd do light exercises and stretches and then use ICE. If your knee is just normal swollen (not a flare-up) I'd do light exercises and stretches and then use HEAT.

For normal walking, make sure you use really good sneakers. I find my knees hurt if I stand for too long or sit for too long - so I've started wearing sneakers while I cook (when I stand longest) and about every hour at work I go for a little stroll (great reminder to drink more water, get more water, or use the restroom). I have a Garmin Vivosmart that reminds me when it's time to get up that really helps.

DON'T push your knees! If squats hurt, don't do them. I do mini-squats in the water and even those hurt sometimes. Work your way up and slowly strengthen the knee.

We can do it!!!

We all look for exercises to lose weight that fit, and don't make us hurt worse. We've been told that if we lose weight all will be right with the world (at least I had). I have managed to lose weight in the past, but not my pain! One thing I have learned along the way is how to eat, to lose weight, when exercise isn't an option. I mean really, what do runners do when they are down with a knee replacement? Got me thinking. I found the ketogenic diet. It helps with weight loss, without exercise! But, a great side effect is decreased inflammation (it's what all of those anti inflammatory meds, and muscle relaxers are supposed to do, but don't!)! I've had a decrease in pain from an 8/9 to a 0/2 (yep! Zero some days!!) with this way of eating. If I eat even a serving of whatever off plan at this point, my pain returns! So, I stick with it! I now live a life I didn't dream of (working as an RN again when I didn't think I would)before! I am finally (after almost a year) beginning to add in some easy exercises because I can still produce pain by overdoing it.

I am pals with many people who have been able to helps their own pain (where doctors haven't been able) with this way of eating! If interested, send me a friend request and include a message why you want to be my friend! This is life changing! Best of luck!!

And, ITS NOT OUR FAULTS! We have been doing what we're told to do, to the detriment of our health!

quzzdragon wrote: »

Just found out that the arthritis foundation has a list of local arthritis-friendly classes (mostly zumba) that are relatively cheap. Zumba Gold is geared toward older people (most of the ones I've found happen at retirement communities) but are not limited to them, so you know it'll be low-impact. There's also aqua zumba which I can't wait to try. Most of the classes I've seen have been around $8/class.

That's great, let us know how you get on. Sounds fun

Have a look at flexi ladies yoga on YouTube. She's brilliant, nice gentle yoga for people with pain and her voice is super soothing

I've been going to physical therapy for my left knee and they have assigned me some exercises. My problem is that the exercises irritate the knee and cause pain. Ten minutes after the exercises I'm crying from pain. I'm going to have to have a talk with them because they want me to do these twice a day and it's all I can do to force myself to do them once a day. My body is saying NO! I can physically do them, I just can't take the aftermath.

linnellal, therapy doesn't always help. do talk to your PT, but also talk to an orthopedic surgeon again too. don't ignore it and don't let docs push your concerns aside under the "well you are obese, so what do you expect?" umbrella. I get cortisone shots and i am working to try to get synvisc from my insurance company.

does it hurt if you sit with your leg out almost straight and just tighten up the quad muscle, without actually moving anything? Isometrics, while slower than dynamic exercise, can help build muscle without putting strain on the joint. This will help you recover from your upcoming surgery. (In case you are wondering why I think I am qualified to talk about it, I was a massage therapist.). I am doing isometrics now to build up the muscles around my knee.