Exercise

monty2520

Hello, I am very new here. I have been referred to my local MSK physio, and she has given me exercises to do and return in 6 weeks. The exercises are for my quads. Is there any way to tell whether the quads need strengthening? I have very painful osteoarthritis in my knees, and I think my quads are already strong.

Naomi33

Morning @monty2520 and welcome to the online community.

Sorry to hear your concerns about osteoarthritis and new exercises.

I was actually given neck exercises when my elbows were painful I did question it but not resolution really so did them anyway. Then ended up having steroid injections in elbows. So not sure why and how physio people work but did as I was told. Then discharged as the pain went but was really due to steroid injection.

I would continue then question at next visit or request a second opinion personally.

Good luck and I am sure others will connect with you soon.

@Naomi33

helpline_team

Hi @monty2520,

Thanks for posting your question on the Helpline Online Community.

It is positive that you have been referred for physiotherapy, and for it to have the most benefit, you should practice the exercises regularly at home.

Sometimes osteoarthritis of the knee can cause the muscles in the thighs to weaken, so your leg may be visibly thinner. This weakness can make the joint feel unstable and could cause the knee to give way when you put weight on it, so the quadriceps and other muscles surrounding the knee joint are often targeted by physiotherapists for treatment with exercises. If you are unsure if this is the right approach for yourself, you could ask your physiotherapist for some more information about their observational and physical assessment of the muscles surrounding your knee joint.

I hope you will find the following pages on our website helpful.

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/25691/knee-pain-exercise-sheet.pdf

Best wishes,
Helen, Helpline Advisor