Active Knees

irisfo

I have recently been diagnosed with OA in my knees, I only really have much pain when I use them too much, by this I mean fitness classes, cycling and walking in the Lake District hills etc. Generally they are OK but a bit stiff when I have been sitting a while. I was told by the consultant to carry on doing what I wanted but he referred me for physio who said 'do not overuse them' and gave me some stretches for my calves and quads. I am unsure now whether to carry on with my fitness classes (running round can make them hurt a bit) or if I am doing more damage.
Any opinions are welcome. I would like to lose weight to help them but if I stop classes it will be harder to do so.

lindalegs

Hi Iris and welcome to the forum,

I have RA not OA but my major weak point is my knees.

I had a spell of physio a couple of years ago and I was told not to overdo things. I asked her the difference between using a joint so we don't lose the movement and maintain muscle strength and overdoing things. She said a good rule of thumb is that when doing exercises if the joint is painful over an hour after the exercise has stopped that means you've overdone it and aggravated the athritis.

You could ask your physio if they agree with this statement and also ask him/her for their opinion on giving up your classes especially as exercise is generally good for all types of arthritis.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs

skezier

Hi Iris,

A welcome from me as well and I hope you find it useful. This lot are a nice bunch of people.

I got oa and pa and agree that Legs has it abut right, too much isn't good for it but you do have to keep it moving and to be honest muscle is so important with helping with mobility. I also was told the better your muscle the less it hurts.... not too sure about that one but do honestly know muscle is one of you best defences. Hey how are you in your self cus that’s another important one as well. You take care and nice to meet you. Cris

elnafinn

Hi Iris

Welcome to the forum. I am probably much older than you - 60 at the end of this year - but on reading some old letters I used to write to my mum and dad, I had forgotten, but I started having the odd bit of trouble with my knees and lower back pain and sciatica in my early thirties. As mum had OA I was sort of aware that this could perhaps be the start of it but at the time dismissed it from my mind mostly.

I was diagnosed at a later date with OA in my knees and hands. I am 2 weeks post op with my second Total Knee Replacement, the other was replaced two years ago.

I never went running but was generally active, being general dogsbody whilst we renovated 2 houses, did yoga and stretching exercises every day, loved walking but probably not as serious a walker as you. I also did various house and office cleaning jobs when the kiddies were young which is hard work on the knees!! In latter years I have found cycling to be a great form of exercise because it is non weight bearing. Swimming is good too, so I have heard, because again it is non weight bearing. I have also found an exercise bike - 10 minutes daily and hula hooping 15 minutes daily to be good exercise along with about half an hour of daily stretching exercises.

Too much running around will probably not do your knees much good in time - too much impact.

The advice from Legs sounds excellent.

I wish you well,

Luv
Elna x

joyful164

I was told that running, walking and fitness exercises can be too harsh for OA ofthe hips and knees. You will wear them out quicker. It's finding the happy balance at the moment.

I was doing aquarobics for awhile, but even that caused me a lot of pain because I have PA in my feet and ankles, knees and hips.

I take a good supplement of Omega, Cod Liver Oil and Calcium tablets for my joints It is a sad blow when you have been so active and enjoy pushing your body to the limits and to achieve what you do has to be at least halved.

joyful

jonny_g

I think when it comes to knees, the trick is to limit impact type exercise and wherever possible stick to non-weight bearing exercise.

I had a long conversation with my Rheumy once about exercise as I was a pretty active person before getting b****y arthitis and wanted to continue to be as active as possible.

From what they said, the more you can strengthen your muscles in general, without stressing the joint then the muscles will in turn support your joints better and help alleviate arthritis symptoms.

I bought myself an exercise bike and then later on a cross trainer as they both allow you to exercise without causing any impact stress to your joints. In particular I find the cross trainer to be very good.

I actually put on a lot of weight when I was first diagnosed, about 3 stone and managed to get rid of most of it using the bike, cross trainer and a calorie controlled diet. If you google a bit, you will see some good articles on exercise plans for people with arthritis

frogmorton

Irisfo

Just wanted to say a little hello and welcome from me

good to meet you

Love

Toni xx