For knee pain, walking can actually be helpful and sometimes prevent you from needing expensive surgery.
My name is Dr. David Geier – orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine expert. I help you feel, look and perform your best, regardless of age or injury.
Walking is one of the best and most simple forms of physical activity you can do. If you have bad knees, though, walking may seem like a painful chore. Walking has been shown to be good for your cardiovascular health and weight management. But can it also help relieve knee pain? The answer is yes.
When it comes to knee pain, doctors often reach for exercise as a first line of treatment. While this may sound counterintuitive, there are good reasons why it makes sense. First of all, exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage osteoarthritis, a condition where the cartilage between bones in your joints wears away and causes inflammation that can be painful and limit movement.
It’s not uncommon for someone with bad knees to be told they need to walk more to help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Research has shown that the most effective way to manage knee arthritis — and avoid disability — is by exercising. You’ll gain muscle strength, improve your balance and coordination, and help maintain your mobility and independence as you age.
Exercise like walking also helps you lose weight if you’re overweight or obese, which increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Exercising regularly can reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis in the knees; however, it’s not clear whether exercise will slow down or stop progression of osteoarthritis in these joints over time.
The bottom line is that walking can be very effective in managing knee pain, especially if your doctor recommends it. The key is to start slowly and gradually increase your distance and speed over time. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis or other conditions that affect your knees, ask your doctor about starting an exercise program today!
I’d love to hear your experience with your knee injury. Leave it in the comments below. Please understand, though, that I can’t offer you medical advice, but I will try to answer your question in a future video. Make sure to subscribe to my channel to be notified when I release a new video – and when I start my next live stream, including my Ask Dr. Geier Live! Shows. Thanks for watching, and I look forward to helping you feel, look and perform Better Than Ever.
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This post is meant for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
