Exercise for arthritic knees?

[Heavyiron]

I am 64 and had my right knee scoped in october of last year for a torn miniscus. Went thru therapy but walked with a limp even after extended therapy. Had another mri 3 wks ago and saw a new doctor this time at a sports clinic. Doc said my knee was bone on bone, they will be doing total knee replacement. Doc said nothing would help me in my advancted state. I have fallen several times lately and use a cane now until surgery. My balance is not good but i know this will get be back to normal. I will not give up, have lost 46 pounds also.

 

[hwy1strat]

I have found that eccentric training greatly helps reduce pain and discomfort when going downhills. This also really strengthens your legs for when you are hauling a heavy load down. I would be willing to guess that it would help with arthritis pain too

 

[Ltbullken]

I had my right knee scoped 14 months ago, doing well. But last fall in Montana I couldn't walk as far or fast as I used to. Both 62 year old knees have significant arthritis.

What is an exercise that would reduce arthritic discomfort associated with extended hiking up and down.

Keep active! I have moderate to severe arthritis in one of my knees and the more active I am, the better. Obviously, I can't do any running like I used to but regular training hikes with some weight and cycling are great workouts. I do a high intensity interval workout on the bike (i.e. spin classes are excellent). I do a 25 minute interval workout on the bike and I am 'done' when I finish! Keep your fitness up, watch the diet (less weight and stress on your knees), and keep active. Studies have shown that those who reduce activity thinking it is better for the knees will deteriorate faster than active people. You can look at cartilage building supplements as well. I don't do that but they are supposed to be helpful. I take Arthrotec once a day regularly as well. This keeps inflammation down and when there is inflammation, there is damage. Hope this is helpful!

 

[KJW]

I'm 40 and a year and a half ago arthritis hit me like a mother! No way to prove it but 8 months prior I got cryptosporidium and i haven't felt great since. I take humira and it keeps it at bay. Sadly I stopped eating bread and it helped a lot. I do high cardio and high rep free weights without issue. I feel like I'm in more discomfort when I'm not working out. I feel I just need to keep moving

 

[Heavyiron]

Just got thru total knee replacement on dec 12. I am healing slowly but, it just gonna take a while to get back on my feet. Be in great shape for hunting season 2019.

 

[nerka83]

KJW: I'm 87 and have had the right knee replaced. The left growls sometimes, but the trick I use is KEEP Moving and do stretching exercises. I'm a retired horse doc and I find that long slow distance workouts for the equine and human work well. Go easy on the weights. More reps with light weights is better the increasing weight.
Hang tough, life is a constant workout. Crypto is a nasty thing. Best to you.

 

[KJW]

KJW: I'm 87 and have had the right knee replaced. The left growls sometimes, but the trick I use is KEEP Moving and do stretching exercises. I'm a retired horse doc and I find that long slow distance workouts for the equine and human work well. Go easy on the weights. More reps with light weights is better the increasing weight.
Hang tough, life is a constant workout. Crypto is a nasty thing. Best to you.

Thanks, and I hear ya on the weights. I feel way better when I lift for stamina and movement than going for mass and beach muscles. Stretching is also a tool that is way over looked. Hopefully when I'm 87 I'll still be getting after it. Good for you for still getting out there and doin it

 

[just country]

morning, I have gout and art. knees. u can exercise all u want.
walking is the best for knees. once a person has a dusting and cleaning
to there knees its all down hill. 73 do not climb latters. surgery
does in some cases help, also makes horse doctors rich.
had Teflon strips put the joints on my left. said
would last 10 yrs. now my right knee is doing
the same thing my left was doing. I will suffer.
take a shower sitting on the floor of the shower with a plastic
bag over ur leg. taking a #2 is a royal pain in the A s s.
justme gbot tum

 

[bjlooper]

Len Had my first left knee surgery 1977 skiing accident. I have tried every Pill, Injection, Physical Therapy, exercise there is. I also have been too, a dozen Orthopods. Nothing worked with my knee pain thought I was going to need a replacement.
The best pain relief that I have found is pool walking. Get in a lap pool that doesn't change depths (around waist deep) and start walking laps. Working up to a hour a day five days a week. Its very low impact due to the buoyancy of the water. It can be intense with the water providing horizontal resistance. I did this for 18 months in 1996-1997 have not have had any left knee pain since.

 

[just country]

morning we can complain, the limb losses of our military
is very painful and heart felt. we have limbs to complain about.
justme GOD BLISS OUR TROOPS TUM

 

[MTBMaine]

Shop around for physical therapists... I had a physical therapist about 3 years ago put me through an exercise program I had never new existed... At age 40 I feel like my knees are age 20 again.

I big part of it was going gluten free (I know, people get sick off hearing about this). But I feel like going gluten free detoxed my joints. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mdub]

The bicycle. Best for knees and the whole body. Biking builds abs too if you want that boyish 6pack the ladies love. Get high priced seat though or you'll be more bowlegged than a saddle bronc rider. If you get a good qual mtn bike you can use it for hunting, great for sneaking thru the woods faster than walking speed. We just bought two 'Specialized' brand bikes on sale from our local bike shop. Mines red, wifes is blue. Mine will soon be camo(taped). Good luck with them bad knees. I feel your pain(daily).

X 2 on the Bicycle!

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I've had 3 knee surgeries and have arthritis in one of them. Even walking long distances causes me discomfort. However, cycling doesn't seem to bother me and helps build up muscles around the knee. When the weather is good I cycle 23 miles in the morning before work. Taking the winter off didn't meet the approval of my orthopedist or my cardiologist.
I bought a stationary bike and cycle away to hunting videos on YouTube each morning. But ..... if I set the resistance too high and cycle like a nut it causes pain in the knee with the arthritis.
Just my 2 cents - good luck Len and thanks for hosting the #1 web site for serious shooters.

 

[Len Backus]

Cycling is a big part of my program now too.