Orthopaedic Surgeon

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Randwick: 02 9399 5333

Concord: 02 9744 2666

Physiotherapy

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Exercise

A qualified physiotherapist can asses your joint and then design a programme whch takes into account your general medical condition as well as the specific problem with your knee joint. A typical exercise programme will involve a warm up, stretches, strengthening programme and some aerobic exercise. Unfortunately most of the benefits of exercise are lost 6 months after the exercise is stopped. It is best to exercise every day but if time is a problem then 3 times a week is acceptable for aerobic and strengthening exercises.

Warm Up

  • A warm-up can be done when you wake up every day. This would be 5 minutes of gentle range-of-movement exercises.

Stretches

  • Flexibility exercises are ideally performed daily for 10 minutes. This is usually a hamstring stretch for the knee.

Strengthening

  • Strengthening exercises —
  • These are reduced if the knee is inflamed from active arthritis and increased if the knee feels good.
    • Isometric exercises (static muscle contraction that does not move a joint or alter muscle length) – twice daily during acute inflammatory periods but otherwise for 10 minutes three times a week.
    • Isotonic exercises (resistance training exercises, often with weights), three days per week for 10 minutes.
  • Endurance/fitness exercises — such as walking, swimming, dancing, aquarobics, cycling, 3–4 times per week for 20–30 minutes.
  • The intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise should be specified and graded to allow for progression.