Daily exercise benefits your bones, muscles, joints and other bodily systems. Most doctors recommend exercise for people experiencing knee pain. However, if your knee pain stems from an injury, daily exercises can increase your discomfort. If you are experiencing knee pain, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis before continuing your daily exercise program.
Knees
Your knee joints connect your thigh bone to your shin bones and bear the majority of your weight. Because of their complex composition, knees are particularly susceptible to injury. Made up of bones, tendons, muscles, ligaments and cartilage, your knees enable you to walk, run, bend, kick and jump. Daily exercise helps keep blood and other fluids flowing through the knee area, which helps to keep it supple and limber.
Knee Pain
Arthritis causes the majority of chronic knee pain, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the knee bones begins to wear away, allowing the bones to rub together. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the synovial membrane becomes inflamed, producing too much synovial fluid that fills the space around the joint. Your knee can feel hot and swollen.
Injuries, such as overuse syndrome, a torn meniscus or a knee sprain can often cause pain, swelling and stiffness. An injury usually occurs suddenly while a medical condition can take months or years to develop.
Exercise
Depending on the cause of your knee pain, exercise can help or hurt. If you suffer from chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, daily exercise that includes at least 20 to 30 minutes of knee-muscle-strengthening exercises can decrease pain and increase joint flexibility. Daily quadriceps-strengthening exercises can even help prevent the progression of osteoarthritis and may help prevent the development of knee pain.
If you exercise daily and begin experiencing knee pain, you may have an overuse injury, such as iliotibial band or patellofemoral syndrome. Overuse injuries occur when you repeatedly place strain on your knee’s structures. Overuse injuries can occur with daily running, tennis, basketball or other activities that cause you to stop suddenly or move from side to side quickly. If pain occurs suddenly after an activity, you may have a torn meniscus or a strained or sprained knee.
Treatment
If you suffer from arthritis, see your doctor for a treatment plan. If you develop knee pain after exercising, try self-care measures for a few days. Refrain from activities that cause pain, ice your knees for up to 20 minutes several times a day and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication as directed. If your knee pain does not subside, or returns after resuming daily exercise, consult your doctor.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Exercise and Bone and Joint Conditions
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health; Moderate Exercise May Reduce Knee Pain; Darin Ingels, N.D.; 2002
- "Scranton Times Tribune"; Use Exercise to Prevent Arthritis Knee Pain; Janet Caputo, P.T., et al.; June 20, 2011
- University of Illinois; McKinley Health Center: Overuse Knee Injuries; 2010
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Total Knee Replacement
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