Can you use a exersoe bike with bone on bone knee oa

Blueskyday68

I want to use a exercise bike but I have bone on bone knee OA is it ok to use one thanks

[Deleted User]

Hi @Blueskyday68

This is a choice that is entirely up to you, and only you know your body limits. I am in the same position as you and am stupid enough to push myself too far! I am quite active and do a lot, but pay for it afterwards so one thing that I would say is stop when you need to. Alter the resistance and speed if you can and only use it in short bursts if you decide to use it at all.

Below you will find some links that could be useful to you:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/hints-and-tips/exercise-hints-and-tips/

Are you currently under a physiotherapist or specialist that you could speak to? Whatever your decision, just take it steady and listen to your body!

Take care,

Sarah

jamieA

Hi @Blueskyday68

Funnily enough I had a telephone consultation(go figure!) with an NHS Rheumatology physio last week. He suggested that I expand my existing walking routine with swimming and an exercise bike. I've got PsA but have now been diagnosed with OA in both my knees. I'm not too keen on the exercise bike as I found that really boring when I tried it before so he suggested I could use a real bike but only on flat surfaces to ensure I'm not putting too much pressure on my knees. He said moving the knee joints regularly is essential.

Elyons

Hi all new member here and interested in this thread - have just been diagnosed with OA to the knee which is bone on bone and probably been that way for 3 years or so according to the specialist - my knees have always been an issue but to date I have been managing by backing off exercise when any material swelling has started - to date I have been fortunate re low levels of pain - I have always done lots of sport and want to maintain exercise levels where I can so first step for me is switching out risky/impact sport for lower impact alternatives

So far (first week) I have started with exercise bikes and cross trainers - am fortunate in having gym membership so can try a few different things out - looks like the football will have to stop and any running will be significantly reduced although would be keen to hear from anyone still running (modestly!) with OA - The cycling (initially fixed then out on the road) looks a sensible way forward/alternative but would also be good to share experiences with anyone still managing to accommodate a small bit of running ?

Cheers

Eamon

HelenS

Hi @Elyons Thank you for posting, you are very welcome.

Exercise is one of the best ways you can help yourself when you have osteoarthritis, and running as its an aerobic exercise as it increases your pulse rate and makes you a bit short of breath. Regular aerobic exercise can help you in many ways.

Hopefully you will find the following links useful

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/march/what-are-the-links-between-sport-exercise-and-osteoarthritis/

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/53165/former-50-something-marathon-runner-with-oa-in-feet-still-running-5ks

Do keep commenting across the Community. It's a great place for a chat or just to call in to let people know how you are getting on.

Take care

Helen, Admin

jonr

As a new member I've been trawling through some posts new and old and this one caught my eye because like all the folks who commented last year, my OA in both knees was brought on by too much high impact exercise (twice daily 5k runs over a 4 year period and twice weekly Badminton).

The original poster asked about Exercise Bikes so I'll comment on that first. After finally ceasing any high-impact sport I turned to cycling and exercise bikes. Cycling is excellent non-impact cardio exercise which also strengthens joints (knees, ankles, hips). Let's put it this way - I can wake up in the morning, find it difficult to walk down the stairs to get a cuppa but jump in the saddle and cycle 50-odd miles, so for me it was a total game-changer. I attend 3-4 "Spin Classes" at my local gym per week which are great fun, the only difficulty I have is standing up on the pedals but lowering resistance and speed makes even that possible with moderate pain caused by bone on bone.

As for running with Arthritis, after diagnosis I took as many prescription drugs and health remedies as I could lay my hands on, invested in some good knee supports, a deep tissue massaging gun, a daily physio workout and swapped trail running for the treadmill. Treadmills are sprung so less impact on the knees. I chose to run with zero incline to reduce any strain on the connecting tissues, which plagued me with injuries frequently as the cartiledge gradually made good its escape from my knees. Obviously it made sense to reduce the number of runs I did so these were scaled back considerably. I was fine for about a year until even that was getting too painful so I had to cease altogether. I carried on with Badminton but the "stop-start" and twists involved began to cause real issues and I was finding it difficult to bear any weight on my legs at times. I reluctantly gave that up a couple of weeks ago and my knees have improved considerably, I haven't needed to wear knee supports for 3 days now and my legs are no longer so hot as to cause me to sweat.

So, a very long post but in summary I think cycling, whether on a push bike or static bike is great exercise for arthritic joints. Any high impact sport is less so but it is possible in moderation but if you find yourself strapping yourself in more and more and scouring the net for ever more natural remedies, it's clearly time to stop before you do serious lasting damage.

stickywicket

Hey, well done you! I love your positivity and adaptabilit. It's so refreshing and encouraging. Thank you.