According to "Physical and Medicine Rehabilitation," knee strength is the biggest indicator for the ability to function with knee osteoarthritis. Strong muscles around the knee joint create protection from load force. Closed chain exercises -- where your foot is planted on the floor -- may create less stress to your joint and more closely mirror functional daily activities.
Stool Walk
Sit on a rolling stool and use both legs to "walk" yourself forward, strengthening your hamstrings. Repeat with backward "walking" for quad strengthening. Using both legs, sidestep and cross over the planted foot "walking" sideways.
Treadmill
Walk backward on the treadmill to increase your strength, agility and endurance. Walk forward with a gentle incline. Decrease the amount of incline and speed if pain is initiated.
Tubing
Attach tubing to your ankle. Pull against the resistance in each direction with a straight leg. Repeat on the opposite side. The band resistance creates an increase in hip flexor, extensor, adductor and abductor strength, while your planted foot is involved in overall strengthening and proprioceptive function.
Squat
Stand against a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart and your heels 1 to 2-foot lengths away -- slowly lower into a squat. Hold for three to five seconds and stand back up. Increase the difficulty with a single leg squat. Attempt a partial or mini squat, 45 degrees, without leaning against the wall.
Step Up
Stand with your feet parallel to a low step. Step sideways onto the step and then slowly lower. Make sure that your knee is in line with your toe, not allowing it to "fall" to the inside. Face the step and repeat. Step backward onto the step and lower.
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