Leg exercises with osteoarthritis in both knees

[irregularform]

I could use some suggestions if anyone else has this problem. I'm only 30 but unfortunately have osteoarthritis in both knees. I've had at least 8 injections this year, and it hurts to bend them in general. Doctor suggested wall squats I think they're called, basically looks like your sitting against the wall and stay in that position until you can't hold it anymore. Was curious if anyone else has a similar problem and has some suggestions.

[tri37]

I have heard from various sources that building up quad muscles is excellent for the knees , so yes. Wall squats would be great. You could start by doing 1 minute at a time, several times a day. Just make sure your form is good- knees not over the toes, back flat against the walk, hands to your side, like your sitting in a chair. The main thing is to not let your knees extend beyond your toes in any squat or lunge.

You might consider also trying BAXYL, heard great things from people using it for arthritis. Spendy, about $38, but lasts a good month- pure form of baxyl.

[irregularform]

I have heard from various sources that building up quad muscles is excellent for the knees , so yes. Wall squats would be great. You could start by doing 1 minute at a time, several times a day. Just make sure your form is good- knees not over the toes, back flat against the walk, hands to your side, like your sitting in a chair. The main thing is to not let your knees extend beyond your toes in any squat or lunge.

You might consider also trying BAXYL, heard great things from people using it for arthritis. Spendy, about $38, but lasts a good month- pure form of baxyl.

Thanks, I'll look into Baxyl.

[Retardo-pex]

I could use some suggestions if anyone else has this problem. I'm only 30 but unfortunately have osteoarthritis in both knees. I've had at least 8 injections this year, and it hurts to bend them in general. Doctor suggested wall squats I think they're called, basically looks like your sitting against the wall and stay in that position until you can't hold it anymore. Was curious if anyone else has a similar problem and has some suggestions.

Qaud exercises will be rough, even the ones where there is less pressure on your knees. You will just have to play around with different depths/foot positioning on any/every piece of equipment you can. You can hit most of your lower body with romanian deadlifts and good mornings, these will allow you to get some decent weights going as well if that's a goal of yours at all. These will hit your lower back glutes and hamstrings a ton, but you will always have to basically do whatever you can for your quads.

[ironwill2008]

I could use some suggestions if anyone else has this problem. I'm only 30 but unfortunately have osteoarthritis in both knees. I've had at least 8 injections this year, and it hurts to bend them in general. Doctor suggested wall squats I think they're called, basically looks like your sitting against the wall and stay in that position until you can't hold it anymore. Was curious if anyone else has a similar problem and has some suggestions.

Not a doc, but generally, the best approach is to do as much and as varied exercises as you're able to tolerate. IOW, if you can stand Leg Presses, do Leg Presses. If you can Barbell Squat without excessive pain, do that. Same with Hacks , V-Squats, Leg Curls, or any other leg equipment that's available to you.


Above all though, run these ideas past your Rheumatologist first. Neither I nor any other random dudes here can know your exact limitations.




Do as much as you're able within the guidelines of your doc. Good luck.

[irregularform]

Thanks for the comments and ideas guys. I'm switching insurances soon and will have a new doctor so I'll talk to him and maybe he'll give me more insight. For whatever reason the current DR I have would call injections "wd-40 for your knees" rather then give me medicine names, told me it's only a matter of time before I need replacements and to sit up against the wall for exercises. Past that he wasn't interested in offering me anymore insight or conversation.

[ironwill2008]

Thanks for the comments and ideas guys. I'm switching insurances soon and will have a new doctor so I'll talk to him and maybe he'll give me more insight. For whatever reason the current DR I have would call injections "wd-40 for your knees" rather then give me medicine names, told me it's only a matter of time before I need replacements and to sit up against the wall for exercises. Past that he wasn't interested in offering me anymore insight or conversation.

That's a difficult situation; most docs don't have practical knowledge of weight training and how to appropriately apply it to their patients. This isn't a knock on MDs; most simply don't have need for such knowledge when dealing with joe average as a patient. But a patient who weight trains and wants to continue doing so---that's a whole different ball game.


With new insurance coverage, perhaps you can get a referral to a specialist with a Sports Medicine background---someone who routinely works with athletes.

If the 'wd-40' he's referring to are cortisone injections, he's right; they provide temporary relief, but further joint damage is the tradeoff.


Again, I'm not a doc, but I've been dealing with RA in my shoulders, and now more in my wrists and hands, for years. Maybe my insight will somehow help you.



Best to you.

[irregularform]

That's a difficult situation; most docs don't have practical knowledge of weight training and how to appropriately apply it to their patients. This isn't a knock on MDs; most simply don't have need for such knowledge when dealing with joe average as a patient. But a patient who weight trains and wants to continue doing so---that's a whole different ball game.


With new insurance coverage, perhaps you can get a referral to a specialist with a Sports Medicine background---someone who routinely works with athletes.

If the 'wd-40' he's referring to are cortisone injections, he's right; they provide temporary relief, but further joint damage is the tradeoff.


Again, I'm not a doc, but I've been dealing with RA in my shoulders, and now more in my wrists and hands, for years. Maybe my insight will somehow help you.



Best to you.

Ya I got the information off the receipt when the visits were over, the DR should tell you what they're putting in you if you request that information though. I also had a 3 injection per knee over 3 weeks (6 visits!) treatment, that helped a lot with doing cardio comfortably, but the relief was short lived.

Absolutely going to try for a sports DR with the new insurance, and going to try out Baxyl here soon.

My main goal right now is getting rid of the rest of this fat, to be in better shape (another 30-40 pounds would be great to take off my knees) . I lost 70 between Oct 13 and Feb 14, and have maintained since then... I'm ready to bust ass and deal with the pain to get the rest off now, and worry about what I can do past that in terms of building a better body after that's done.

Thanks for the convo.

[ironwill2008]

My main goal right now is getting rid of the rest of this fat, to be in better shape (another 30-40 pounds would be great to take off my knees) . I lost 70 between Oct 13 and Feb 14, and have maintained since then... I'm ready to bust ass and deal with the pain to get the rest off now, and worry about what I can do past that in terms of building a better body after that's done.

Good deal on dropping the 70. And while fat loss slows down a bit as you lose more and more fat, a moderate calorie deficit coupled with your being as active as you're able will continue to burn off fat, albeit at a slower pace. You just have to stick with it and be persistent over the long haul.

[Luca2]

Hey man, I have joint problems too (some arthritis in my hips).
One type of exercise that I'm sure your doc will allow is cycling. Unlike running, cycling lends itself well to substituting resistance training as it keeps the tension on your quads rather than on your joints, and is easy on the knees for the same reason.
For hyperthrophy, you can do sprints or hill climbs.
Check out "Hill Climb" at the end of this article:

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...scle_group&cr=

And these links also:

http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_onl...tationary_bike

http://www.t-nation.com/strength-training-topics/1367

Best of luck!

[jpy15026]

I could use some suggestions if anyone else has this problem. I'm only 30 but unfortunately have osteoarthritis in both knees. I've had at least 8 injections this year, and it hurts to bend them in general. Doctor suggested wall squats I think they're called, basically looks like your sitting against the wall and stay in that position until you can't hold it anymore. Was curious if anyone else has a similar problem and has some suggestions.

I really enjoyed jogging in my younger years and in bad weather I did my stationary bike but as my knees and hip progressively have gotten worse I had to give them both up until I looked into this Elliptical ,its like running for me again, what a blessing to be able to do cardio now!

I bought a Nordictrack A.C.T. Elliptical from Sears a few years ago after much research and just love it,smooth and most stable of all!

http://www.nordictrack.com/fitness/e...ial-elliptical

I tried the “Front wheel” models and they were "choppy" and seemed a bit unstable, I have a bad hip and they jarred it, somewhat like climbing up steps, so I ruled them out.

The rear wheel ones seemed a bit smoother and just a tad more stable but were very long and although some "folded" they still needed the initial space.

I also noticed that the spacing “between” my feet was a bit wide since each footpad had to be on the “outside” of the flywheel and that put a strain on my knees.

When I stepped on the Nordictrack I noticed a completely different feeling.

Being the only “center” driven elliptical it was extremely stable, with the dual drive wheels you are positioned directly over the center of the unit so it is virtually rock solid.

Your feet are positioned “between” the drive wheels so you experience a more natural gait, unlike the front and rear wheel drive ones, where your feet are a bit further apart.

The footprint is remarkably small (L 4ft 3” x W 2ft 11”) so it takes up very little space.

With my bad hip I like the “outside” hand rails to “change up” and it of course has a heart monitor to keep an eye on my Heartbeat.

It also has adjustable stride lengths (18’,20” and 22’) so I can eventually work different leg muscles, as I progress.

Great piece of equipment to do cardio and leg work for me : )