How to Save Your Knee Cartilage

It may feel uncomfortable but a good workout can strengthen the muscles that surround your joints and those stronger muscles will protect your knees.

First, make sure you receive the OK from your doctor before you begin any exercise program. Secondly, if you are hiring a personal trainer work with someone who knows what she is doing. That sounds reasonable but it is surprising at the number of people who work out with personal trainers who know next to nothing about arthritis and anatomy. It may be true that the fees of those trainers are less costly but in the end they may cost you dearly because of the potential harm they can cause. My advice, check out the exercise programs approved by the Arthritis Foundation or by your physician.

Third and finally retool your brain so that you no longer believe the myth that if you have arthritis you cannot exercise. The fact is exercise will not only reduce your joint pain and stiffness, it will improve your overall health.

Each of your joints is surrounded by ligaments, the primary stabilizers that hold together the joint and cartilage. Muscles, which cross that joint are the secondary stabilizers. They all work together.

For example, when you walk up the stairs, your knees absorb six to eight times your body weight. If your muscles are strong, they will absorb more of that stress which means less stress on the joint itself. If your muscles are weak and not in good condition, there will be more stress on your knee.

Strengthening the muscles also helps protect the joint from injury because there is less stress on the joint and the muscles around the joint are more flexible because they are conditioned to move. The more flexible the muscles the more active you can be without being in pain.

After understanding why exercise works so well even with arthritis you may not need much motivation to stay with a program. On the other hand, some may find that maintaining the challenge may be a little daunting. If that is the case team up with a friend or write your progress down so no matter how small, the progress itself will inspire you.

You can also save your knee cartilage by making a few simple lifestyle changes. None of these suggestions are costly, they do not take up much time, and they are certainly worth doing. Keep in mind that when you are planning to start a strength training exercise program or any other exercise program, start slowly. You need to prepare your body to move in new ways to avoid injury.

Consider doing range of motion exercises to relieve stiffness in the joints and keep you flexible. You can look to the Arthritis Foundation for those resources. You may also want to include aerobic and endurance exercises such as walking and swimming to prevent weight gain and improve your cardiovascular health.

Your exercises will not do you much good if you are not using good posture when you sit, walk, or go about doing your daily activities. Consider wearing a brace or a knee sleeve to help stabilize your knee and reduce the pain. You also want to make sure you alternate periods of rest with your exercise since repetitive stress over a period of time can speed up the wear and tear on your joints.