Dr. Jordan Eli Brodsky, M.D.

If you have an arthritic knee, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist before starting any exercise program. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific condition and level of mobility. That being said, here are some exercises commonly recommended for individuals with arthritic knees:

Range-of-motion exercises: These exercises aim to maintain or improve the flexibility and movement of your knee joint. An example is heel slides, where you lie on your back, bend your knee, and slowly slide your heel toward your buttocks.

Strengthening exercises: Strengthening the muscles around your knee can help provide support and stability. Leg raises, where you sit in a chair with your back straight and slowly lift your leg straight out in front of you, can be beneficial.

Low-impact aerobic exercises: These exercises improve cardiovascular fitness without putting excessive stress on your knee joint. Options include swimming, stationary cycling, or using an elliptical machine.

Water exercises: Exercising in water can reduce the impact on your joints while providing resistance for strengthening. Water aerobics or walking in a pool can be helpful.

Tai chi: This ancient Chinese martial art focuses on slow, controlled movements and deep breathing. Tai chi can improve balance, flexibility, and strength, and it is generally considered gentle on the joints.

Remember to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your exercises. If you experience pain or discomfort, stop and consult with your healthcare provider. They can guide you on modifications or alternative exercises that may be more suitable for your condition.

The appropriate treatment for knee pain depends on the underlying cause and severity of the pain. Here are some common treatment options that can be considered:

Rest and self-care: For mild knee pain, resting the affected knee and avoiding activities that worsen the pain can be beneficial. Applying ice packs, elevating the leg, and using over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

Physical therapy: A physical therapist can provide specific exercises and techniques to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve flexibility, and enhance joint stability. Physical therapy can be especially useful for conditions like knee osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, or patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication.

Knee braces or supports: Depending on the cause of knee pain, a knee brace or support can provide stability, reduce strain, and alleviate discomfort. They can be particularly helpful for conditions like patellar tracking disorder or ligament injuries.

Injections: Corticosteroid injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation and pain in the knee joint, especially for conditions like arthritis or bursitis. Hyaluronic acid injections, also known as viscosupplementation, can provide lubrication to the joint and reduce symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

Assistive devices: Using walking aids such as crutches or a cane can help reduce weight-bearing on the affected knee and promote healing in cases of acute injuries or post-surgical recovery.

Surgical intervention: In severe cases where conservative treatments fail to provide relief, surgery may be considered. Surgical options range from arthroscopic procedures for meniscal tears or ligament repairs to joint replacement surgery for advanced knee osteoarthritis.

It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a primary care physician or orthopedic specialist, to receive an accurate diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition. They will consider factors such as the cause of knee pain, your medical history, and individual circumstances to guide you toward the best treatment option.

The best exercise after arthroscopic knee surgery will depend on the type and extent of surgery, as well as the recommendations of your surgeon or physical therapist. In general, it is important to start with gentle exercises that gradually increase in intensity to help improve range of motion, strength, and stability of the knee joint.

Some of the most commonly recommended exercises after arthroscopic knee surgery include:

Quadriceps sets: Tighten the thigh muscle while keeping the leg straight, and hold for 5-10 seconds. Release and repeat.

Straight leg raises: Lie on your back with your legs straight, lift your leg up a few inches, hold for 5-10 seconds, and then lower it back down. Repeat with the other leg.

Knee bends: Sit on a chair and bend your knee as far as you can comfortably, hold for a few seconds, and then straighten your leg.

Stationary cycling: This can be done on a stationary bike or with a pedal exerciser, and helps to improve range of motion and strength.

Step-ups: Step up onto a low step with your operated leg, and then step back down. Repeat for several repetitions, and then switch to the other leg.

It is important to follow your surgeon or physical therapist's guidelines regarding when to start exercising after surgery, and how much activity is safe for your specific situation. It is also important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard, as this can lead to further injury or complications.

Here are some exercises that can help you strengthen your knee

Straight Leg Raises: Lie on your back with your surgical leg straight and your other leg bent. Slowly lift your surgical leg off the ground until it is level with your other leg. Hold for a few seconds and then lower back down. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps, and then switch legs.

Quadriceps Sets: Sit with your surgical leg straight and your other leg bent. Tighten your thigh muscles and press the back of your knee down into the ground. Hold for a few seconds and then release. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps.

Hamstring Curls: Stand with your surgical leg behind you and a chair or table to hold onto for support. Slowly lift your surgical leg up towards your buttocks, bending at the knee. Hold for a few seconds and then lower back down. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps, and then switch legs.

Wall Slides: Stand with your back against a wall and your surgical leg straight out in front of you. Slowly slide your surgical leg down the wall, bending at the knee. Hold for a few seconds and then slide back up. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps.

Step-Ups: Stand in front of a step or small platform with your surgical leg on the step and your other foot on the ground. Step up onto the platform with your surgical leg, straightening it at the top. Step back down and repeat for 10 to 15 reps, and then switch legs.

Remember to start with gentle exercises and gradually increase the intensity and duration as you progress. Also, be sure to follow your doctor's or physical therapist's instructions and recommendations for your specific situation.

After knee surgery, it is important to follow a rehabilitation program that includes exercises to strengthen your knee muscles and improve your knee's range of motion. Here are some exercises that can help you strengthen your knee after surgery:

Straight Leg Raises: Lie on your back with your surgical leg straight and your other leg bent. Slowly lift your surgical leg off the ground until it is level with your other leg. Hold for a few seconds and then lower back down. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps, and then switch legs.

Quadriceps Sets: Sit with your surgical leg straight and your other leg bent. Tighten your thigh muscles and press the back of your knee down into the ground. Hold for a few seconds and then release. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps.

Hamstring Curls: Stand with your surgical leg behind you and a chair or table to hold onto for support. Slowly lift your surgical leg up towards your buttocks, bending at the knee. Hold for a few seconds and then lower back down. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps, and then switch legs.

Wall Slides: Stand with your back against a wall and your surgical leg straight out in front of you. Slowly slide your surgical leg down the wall, bending at the knee. Hold for a few seconds and then slide back up. Repeat for 10 to 15 reps.

Step-Ups: Stand in front of a step or small platform with your surgical leg on the step and your other foot on the ground. Step up onto the platform with your surgical leg, straightening it at the top. Step back down and repeat for 10 to 15 reps, and then switch legs.

Remember to start with gentle exercises and gradually increase the intensity and duration as you progress. Also, be sure to follow your doctor's or physical therapist's or doctors instructions and recommendations for your specific situation.

Thank you for reaching out to us at with your question about whether physical therapy can help with hip pain. At my office, we often recommend physical therapy as a conservative treatment option for hip pain.

Physical therapy can help improve hip joint mobility, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the muscles surrounding the hip joint. These benefits can lead to reduced pain, improved function, and better quality of life for individuals with hip pain.

However, the effectiveness of physical therapy for hip pain can depend on the underlying cause of the pain. It is important to receive a proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider before starting any treatment, including physical therapy. In some cases, physical therapy may not be the most appropriate treatment option.

If you have further questions or concerns about physical therapy for hip pain, we would be happy to discuss this with you further. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office to set up an appointment.

Best regards,

Are you suffering from hip pain? Our team of Rheumatology Consultants can help!

We understand how debilitating hip pain can be and we're here to offer effective treatment options that can help you get back to your daily routine. Here are some of the ways we can treat hip pain:

Medication: Depending on the underlying cause of your hip pain, we may prescribe medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids to help alleviate pain and inflammation.
Physical therapy: We offer customized physical therapy programs that can help improve hip mobility, strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, and alleviate pain.
Injections: We offer a variety of injection therapies, including corticosteroid injections which can help alleviate pain and improve joint function.
Surgery: In cases where other treatments have not been effective, we may recommend surgical intervention, such as hip replacement surgery or arthroscopic surgery- but this is last resort.
At Rheumatology Consultants, we pride ourselves on offering compassionate and comprehensive care to all our patients. We'll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

Don't let hip pain control your life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a pain-free life!

There are many causes of your symptoms, so to further determine what is causing, you will need further evaluation. Historically, the most common sites of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the metatarsophalangeal joints, followed by the metacarpophalangeal joints and the cervical spine. Given your symptoms, these are very concerning and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible (your PMD or Rheumatologist). Abnormalities of the rheumatoid cervical spine generally can be grouped into 3 categories that may be seen in isolation or combined involvement, of which atlantoaxial instability (AAI) or atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) is the most common abnormality. Please see the following link for more information: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1266195-overview

Great question! There are over 100 types of arthritis that can cause joint pain, so to further determine what type you might have, you need further evaluation. Historically, key blood tests and X-rays will likely need to be done, too. In either case, I would advise you to follow up with a rheumatologist for further evaluation, as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Great question! There are many causes of joint pain, so to further determine what is causing the knee pain and if surgery is needed you need further evaluation. Historically, key blood tests and X-rays will likely need to be done, too. In either case, I would advise you to follow up with a rheumatologist for further evaluation as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Great question! Historically, a key blood test to determine whether a person has rheumatoid arthritis checked for the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF): antibodies produced by the immune system that can attack healthy joints and tissues. More recently, an additional antibody called the anti-cyclic citrillunated protein (ACPA) has been considered a marker. But now, the presence of RF or ACPA is no longer considered necessary for a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. When RF and ACPA are negative, but a person has symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritis can be diagnosed. People who have either RF or ACPA antibodies have seropositive RA. In either case, I would advise you to follow up with a rheumatologist for further evaluation as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Great question! There are many causes of joint pain, so to further determine what is causing the knee pain and if surgery is needed, you need further evaluation. Historically, key blood tests and X-rays will likely need to be done, too. In either case, I would advise you to follow up with a rheumatologist for further evaluation, as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Great question! There are over 100 types of arthritis that can cause joint pain and swelling, so to further determine what type you might have, you need further evaluation. Historically, key blood tests and X-rays will likely need to be done, too. In either case, I would advise you to follow up with a rheumatologist for further evaluation, as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Great question! There are over 100 types of arthritis, so to further determine what type you might have, you need further evaluation. Historically, a key blood test to determine whether a person has rheumatoid arthritis checked for the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF): antibodies produced by the immune system that can attack healthy joints and tissues. More recently, an additional antibody called the anti-cyclic citrillunated protein (ACPA) has been considered a marker. In either case, I would advise you to follow up with a rheumatologist for further evaluation, as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Great question! Historically, a key blood test to determine whether a person has rheumatoid arthritis checked for the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF): antibodies produced by the immune system that can attack healthy joints and tissues. More recently, an additional antibody called the anti-cyclic citrillunated protein (ACPA) has been considered a marker.
But now, the presence of RF or ACPA is no longer considered necessary for a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. When RF and ACPA are negative, but a person has symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritis can be diagnosed. People who have either RF or ACPA antibodies have seropositive RA. In either case, i would advise you to follow up with a Rheumatologist for further evaluation as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of inflammation, so adding anti-inflammatory herbs and spices to your diet might sound like a good idea. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), though, there's not enough evidence to support the use of particular herbs or spices as effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Still, a number of herbs and spices do have anti-inflammatory properties. Check out this article for further details. https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/diet/six-herbs-and-spices-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/

A number of herbs and spices do have anti-inflammatory properties. Check out this article for further details. https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/diet/six-herbs-and-spices-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/

Obesity affects arthritis for two reasons: First, the excess load on your joints can cause pain and discomfort, and second, a number of inflammatory mediators produced in fat affect joint tissues and play a role in pain, just as being overweight is linked to increased arthritis pain, weight loss may help improve arthritis symptoms. Check out this article for more information: https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/reasons-lose-weight-with-arthritis/. In either case, I would advise you to follow up with a rheumatologist for further evaluation, as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

This is a great question and one that I am constantly asked by many of my patients. Check out these 8 Travel Tips. It just takes a little preparation to make your vacation knee pain free: https://bit.ly/2OIXXPi. Also, check out these 8 life Hacks That Can Help Arthritis Hand Pain. Try these clever ways to repurpose household items and help save your fingers, hands, and wrists: https://bit.ly/2JOfyBY. For more information, you can also check out our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rheumconsultants.

Lifestyle factor such as walking and cycling may help prevent lower back pain but Obesity, smoking, physical workload can increase risk for lower back pain http://bit.ly/2OQCRxE ‬. I would advise you to follow up with a Rheumatologist for further evaluation as there can be many different causes for your symptoms and it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.