Start an Exercise Program

Moderate exercise is an integral part of treating arthritis. Activities such as walking, swimming or gardening can assist in keeping your bones strong and your joints limber, which may help relieve stiffness. Low-impact exercise will not wear out your joints. Although exercise may sometimes cause discomfort, proper exercise will help nourish the cartilage, strengthen the muscles, and prolong the life of your joints.

Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is an excellent form of exercise to help manage arthritis pain. Water’s buoyancy helps protect your joints from impact injury. Water also resists movement, which is helpful for strengthening. Hydrostatic pressure can also assist with reducing the swelling in joints and edema in the legs.

Walking
Walking is an excellent form of endurance exercise for almost anyone, including those with arthritis. Be sure to have a good pair of walking shoes to help cushion impact. Check with your physician to obtain any exercise precautions or guidelines. You should be able to speak clearly without feeling out of breath when you are walking. Always warm up and cool down by walking slowly.

Biking
Either regular biking or stationary biking is an excellent endurance exercise. However, patients with kneecap problems may aggravate their condition with biking. Be careful not to increase the resistance or ride up and down hills too quickly. As with any endurance exercise, you should be able to carry on a conversation while you are engaged in the activity.

How much exercise it too much?
If you note increased joint swelling, decreased joint motion, unusual or persistent fatigue or continuous pain, you may be exercising too much. You should expect some muscle soreness, especially if you are just beginning an exercise program or have changed exercises. Joint pain should not last more than several hours after exercise.

For an in-depth guide on starting and maintaining a walking program, reference Walk With Ease by the Arthritis Foundation.

How do I stay consisten with exercise?

Seek help from a health care professional to assist you in setting up an individualized program.
Make a plan! Write it down! Set goals!
Exercise at the same time each day so it becomes part of your routine.
Find an exercise buddy.
Look for an appropriate exercise class.
Stay in the habit of doing some exercise each day.
Vary your exercise routine and rotate your exercises.
Evaluate your progress and enjoy your success.

Patient Education information provided by Biomet, Inc. - Advanced Science for Real Living™