Arthritis Knee Exercises Strengthen the Muscles That Support the Knee

Arthritis knee exercises are very important if one is experiencing arthritis in the knee joints. Exercise is one way to maintain a strong and healthy cartilage as it has the effect of strengthening the tendons and muscles that support the knee. However, not all exercises will help the person suffering from knee arthritis, as such; one must call an expert on arthritis knee exercise, because wrong exercise will just worsen the situation. Here are some knee exercises to help you in your arthritis problems.

The simplest way to exercise one's knee is by sitting in a chair and letting your feet flat on the floor. It is important to know that when one doing this exercise, one must see to it that one's thigh is parallel to the floor. The proper way of sitting can help the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee to relax and remove any stress accompanying it. One can put variations like pointing and moving one's toes, slowly lifting the feet to make it parallel to the ground or raising the feet and doing a small circular motion.

Another simple exercise is by sitting on the ground while the legs are crossed. In this way, the muscles and tendons are stretched without you exerting any effort. The person may remain in this position for at least 30 seconds and then incorporate certain variations. One can slowly push his knee to the ground in order to put additional pressure on the muscles of the joints. It can be noticed that when the legs are crossed, one leg is on top of the other, hence; one should change the position of the legs and then apply pressure again.

Some complicated arthritis knee exercises include the quad set exercise, knee extension with leg lift, drake exercises, static hold exercise, straight leg raise, hamstring set exercise, and many more.

The quad set exercise is done to tighten the muscles of the thigh and the legs in order to strongly support the knee joints. This is made by lying down comfortably and tucking in the knee into the stomach. Be sure that the legs are parallel to the ground and the toes are pointed. Fold the knee for 10 seconds, and thereafter rest it for 5 seconds, repeat the process but make the tuck tighter.

The knee extension with leg lift is done lying down and putting an object under your heel that will raise your legs at least 3 inches above the ground. In this position, try to slowly lift the leg up and then slowly putting it down. Do this exercise by lifting only one leg at the time and the other leg is used as a support.

When doing any arthritis knee exercises, one must be sensitive of any pain that he may feel. If the pain becomes unbearable, immediately stop what you are doing and see a doctor. As stated, not all exercises are suitable to all knee arthritis problems, and the best way to know the applicable knee exercise program is to consult a doctor or an experienced health professional.

STOP!

The Importance of Arthritis Knee Support

One way to treat arthritis pain and provide stability is with the proper arthritis knee support. For many patients suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee, a knee support will give them the relief and support they need.

Types of Knee Braces

There are several different types of arthritis knee support braces to choose from. In order to get the best fit you should always discuss knee support devices with your doctor or health professional. Most physical therapists are well versed in the use of knee support and can also offer helpful and knowledgeable advice.

The type of knee brace you chose will depend primarily on the location of the affected area.

A medial arthritis knee support brace will support the inside of the knee joint. A lateral brace will give stability to the outside of the knee joint, and a patellofemoral brace stabilizes the area behind the kneecap.

These types of braces are usually recommended for patients who suffer osteoarthritis and cartilage loss of the knee joint.

Breaking It Down: Different Types of Knee Braces

Arthritis knee support devices can be broken down even more into specific types of braces. One popular type of brace is the single piece sleeve. This brace is made from durable neoprene and is the basic type of knee brace. To put on the brace you simply pull it on over the foot and up to the knee. This brace is for mild osteoarthritis only.

An unloader brace is made from molded materials such as plastic or foam. Inside the mold are metal bars that limit the range of motion of the knee joint. This type of brace is individually fit to each patient. It works by moving the pain from the affected area with pressure.

Other Treatments

Medication is also popular treatment for the early stages of the disease. Medication is usually used to control pain until such time that you can begin a treatment plan. During this time you will work with a physical therapist and also do exercises at home. The goal is to not have to take pain medications for life.

Some patients will benefit from a simple change of diet with exercise. Overweight people are prone to arthritis of knee because of the added pressure on the joints due to their weight. Dieting and exercise can help overweight people get control of their weight and relieve pressure on the joints.

Knee joint surgery and knee replacement surgery are usually reserved for those persons who have not had success with other treatment options. In some cases this is the only way to reverse the damage and ease the pain.

Joint replacement surgery is performed everyday and considered very safe and successful.

If you decide to try using an arthritis knee support device it is important to consider all of your options. As mentioned earlier, your doctor will know the best type of brace for your specific condition. The success of the arthritis knee support device depends on your dedication - wear it always.