Weight loss with arthritic knees

Do you have access to a pool? If you do, swimming or water jogging are terrific.

I have osteo and psoriatic arthritis and I have found walking to help my knees. It was painful at first, but they loosened up with the movement.

Some people with bad knees do well with ellipticals or stationary bicycles too. I don't fare well with the bike, but YMMV.

You don't need to exercise to lose weight but it is good for your health. I'd definitely not recommend running or anything else that is high impact to someone with knee issues especially since there are a lot of other good options. Find an activity that doesn't have you bounding up and down or hurt you after a day on your feet.

My orthopedic surgeon gave me stretching exercise for my knee problems! One is to stand on one foot with the other knee bent at the knee. They picture shows holding the leg that is bent at the ankle (something I have not accomplished yet). Do this for 20 reps on each leg (I have not worked up to this yet). The other stretching exercise he gave me stretches the front of the leg. With a leg in a chair, try to reach your toes of that leg with your hand. Do also for 20 reps. These exercises definitely help me and my 70 year old arthritic knees!

I have OA in both knees and I am getting one replaced in two weeks. My problem was not due to weight since I am a very small person, just due to wear and tare and most likely a lot of "wear" with kick boxing, karate, tennis and dance classes thru the years. But I don't regret it at all.

According to my orthopedic doctor, the only reason that my knees lasted so long is because I never stopped exercising (even if I modified some of the exercises) and because I kept my wt. down. This summer I had to stop my Pilates, Yoga and ballet classes and going up an down stairs is getting to be difficult and painful, so before things get worse I am having knee replacement surgery.

Cortisone injections once a year and Euflexxa injections every six months also helped a lot, but if you don't want to get a knee replacement yet, I encourage you to lose weight, walk, and follow your doctor and/or PT recommendations and exercises.

I walk in a pool at about 4 feet deep (chest high) for about an hour a day. It really helps. My knees are so bad that I cannot walk outside of the water, but in the pool I can go on for a long time.