Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis: exercise does not wear the joint out
Published: · Konstantinos Varvagiannis, Physiotherapist
The fear that movement makes wear worse is the most common reason patients stop exercising.
Joint cartilage is nourished by movement. Measured loading improves joint lubrication and the strength of the muscles that protect it, especially the quadriceps and glutes.
International guidelines place therapeutic exercise and weight management as first-line treatment, ahead of medication and surgery.
A mild increase in discomfort at the start is expected. What matters is that it settles within 24 hours and that the programme progresses gradually.
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