Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. One of the most common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis is difficulty walking.
Cortisone is available as a pharmaceutical drug, but it’s also produced naturally by your body. Several different therapies can help relieve the pain and discomfort caused by this mild stage of OA. These therapies are mainly nonpharmacological, which means you don’t need to take medication for symptom relief. A variety of options, from walking to swimming, are considered beneficial. Jonathan Cluett, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Age, BMI, OA severity, and pain were not different among the groups (Table 1).
Joint swelling may be present after extended periods of motion as well. In this stage, the cartilage between bones shows obvious damage, and the space between the bones begins to narrow. Low-impact aerobics and strength training can help strengthen the muscles around the joint, which increases stability and may decrease the likelihood of additional joint damage. They may be able to detect and diagnose the condition at this early stage.
Invented in Sweden in the 1980s, the method has become common in orthopedic practices. Called Maci, it puts the cells inside a dissolvable scaffold – placed inside the knee – that’s designed to grow new cartilage. While still a new approach, a review in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found “good to excellent overall outcomes” from 11 studies. The researchers noted that that some trials were tougher than others. So they recommended that the treatment be used cautiously since a lot is still unknown.
Walking is a fundamental activity that we often take for granted. However, for individuals with knee osteoarthritis, each step can be accompanied by pain and discomfort. The act of walking puts pressure on the knees, which can exacerbate the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Compression can also reduce swelling by pushing blood and other fluids out of the knee, which helps improve circulation. Walking backward on the treadmill hits many of the same muscles as walking forward, just with a different emphasis. The quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core are all engaged during backward walking; however, you may simply feel more fatigue in different patterns than during forward walking. It forces your gluteal muscles to repeatedly contract and thus strengthens them over time, Holc explains. Exercising the glutes also creates some extra stretching in the hip flexors, a muscle group involved in posture, balance and stabilizing the lower spine.
Future studies should make a particular effort to assess static alignment at baseline evaluations. Findings from our study support the idea that walking is beneficial from both a structural and symptomatic perspective of knee osteoarthritis. Specifically, we found that those who walked for exercise were less likely to develop new frequent knee pain; however, we found no relationship with improved frequent knee pain.
Research has shown that walking can actually help improve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Although it may seem counterintuitive, regular, moderate exercise such as walking can help strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee joint, providing support and reducing pain.
How to Walk with Knee Osteoarthritis
This can cause the bones of the knee joint to rub together, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. It’s more common as you age if you carry excess weight or if you do repetitive movements like bending, squatting, or lifting. In fact, according to a 2022 study of people over age 50 with OA of the knee, walking and exercise led to less frequent bouts of knee pain. Walking may even be “disease-modifying,” which means it may slow a person’s symptoms from progressing. Knee pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis in the knee, making it painful for you to jog, run, climb stairs or kneel.
To combat this, try placing ice packs over your knees for up to 20 minutes. This can help stave off any inflammation that develops after exercise and make the entire workout process more comfortable. Taking a walk may be the last thing on your mind if you are dealing with arthritis in your knees, but it is actually quite beneficial. Staying active each day is one of the keys to managing the soreness in your joints. Read the info below to learn more about the benefits of walking with arthritis and for tips on starting your own exercise program. X-rays of knee joints in this stage will reveal greater bone spur growth, but the cartilage is usually still at a healthy size.
If you have knee osteoarthritis, there are several strategies you can use to make walking more comfortable. First, it’s important to wear supportive footwear that cushions your feet and absorbs shock. This can help reduce the impact on your knees while walking.
Another tip is to maintain good posture while walking. Keep your back straight, shoulders back, and head held high. This can help distribute your weight evenly and reduce strain on your knees.
Conclusion
In conclusion, knee osteoarthritis can have a significant impact on walking. However, with the right strategies and lifestyle changes, individuals with this condition can still enjoy the benefits of walking while managing their symptoms. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise regimen, including walking, especially if you have knee osteoarthritis.
