Osteoarthritis is often described as wear and tear, which makes people think the answer is to use the joint less. The research says the opposite. Stronger muscles around the knee take load off the joint, reduce pain and make stairs, gardening and getting out of a chair easier.
What works
- Progressive strength training two to three times a week, supervised at first so the load is right for you
- Balance work to reduce the fear of the knee giving way
- Weight management where relevant. Every kilo lost takes roughly four kilos of load off the knee with each step
- Education so you know which pain is safe to push through and which is not
What does not
Long periods of rest, avoiding stairs, and waiting for a joint replacement without preparing for it. People who go into surgery stronger recover faster, and many find they can delay or avoid it.
Stand Strong
Stand Strong is our hip and knee osteoarthritis program, delivered at all four AFP clinics. It combines supervised exercise physiology with education and progress tracking, so you can see the numbers change rather than hoping it is working. It is suitable whether you have just been diagnosed or you are on a surgical waiting list.
Sounds familiar?
Book with our exercise physiology team at any of our clinics.
