Exercise and arthrits of both knees

What kinds of exercise for the legs do you do? I have been going to the gym and spend only 15 min on treadmill and 10 on the elipitcal. I know the elipitcal is best for me, but it is so hard for me just starting out. The stationary bike seems to hurt me knees when I try to bend them. I tried a weight bearing exercise machine where I push with my feet. My thighs sure was burning after that. I can't remember the weight I used. Is this a good exercise? I think I need to build up my thighs and calves to support my knees. What do you do? Thanks for any help, Lavon

Hi Lavon, I have joined the gym too. I am starting water aerobics first and then the weights. I also am starting back to my bowling. I bowl on Tues and Thurs nights. My knees are bad also. I am going to talk to the doctor today. I am only 4 weeks post op and I am still on Vicodin for pain, which I am using now for joint pain and neurontin for neuropathy. I am probably going to get some hormone therapy, I had a hysterectomy in 1998 and have not taken any but the first year and I am sure I have osteoarthritis. Hopefully the weight loss will accomplish the pain in the joints. Hope you do well, it sounds like you have the right idea, I am heading in that same direction!!! Dru

hi lavon i have two bad knee and i can only do walking   ican do the lift  that good for the knee  i had my surgery in9/30/05 having the weight off help but it dont take the pain just wanted to let you know you are not alone Ila

I have osetoarthitis in both knees and every where else. My wls surgeon sent me to physical therapy to see what exercise I can do. They said I should do the water aerobics since it is easier on your joints.

Hi Lavon! I'm preop and about a month away from my surgery and I have severe osteoarthritis in both knees. Some days I can barely move and the pain is horrible every day! I had been getting cortisone shots that were working until I started walking. Once I started that, the pain got worse and now I'm on Mobic, but it doesn't help much either. I am doing water walking now and still walking on my paper route, but the route ends Sunday thank God.   Has your pain gotten any better since your WLS? My PCP seems to think I won't have to have surgery to repair knees, but I don't know that I believe that anymore. The pain and stiffness is so bad all the time. I really feel like if I weren't having my WLS soon, I'd be in a wheelchair by year end!  Is just losing weight going to help????? I hope you find something that works for you. I would try the water aerobics or walking, it's much gentler on your joints.  Best wishes to you!  Becky

Hi there, I am very limited so don't have much of a selection.  What I've tried:  ------------------  Swimming  - excellent choice, but I can no longer get in/out of the pool with the ladders or steps  Biking  - can't bend my knees enough while sitting on the bike  Walking - I use a walker and because of stability issues, I stoop over the frame of the walker. Walking for any period of time is impossible because of back pain (from the stooping), knee slippage (they give out on their own with no warning), shoulder pain (I have tendonitis in one shoulder from attempting to lift myself up).  Gazelle (Tony Little Glider) - this was great before I got really bad.  You can go as fast and as long as you want - and it strengthens your hips and thighs.  I'm hoping to be able to get back to doing this in the next couple of months. What I am doing now:  --------------------------  Isometric exercises  - while laying in bed, legs straight out, I try and push my knees down into the mattress.  - I try and do leg lifts from the hip, with the leg straight.  Standing exercises  - stand on one leg for a count of 10, then the other  - with my knee pointing to the floor, bend at the knee with your foot going back. Try and do 10 each leg  - stand with both knees locked, loosen one so that it is slightly bent, pause, then try and lock the knee again. 10 each leg  Pedal Machine  - a mechanism that has the foot harness, like on a bike, with a simple contraption that lets you pedal "maddly". I sit in a chair and started at 3 minutes and am trying to get up to and stay at 30 minutes. Ice packs after are heaven.  Arm Weights  - small 3-lb weights. I have to be careful of the tendonitis but can do the normal bicep and tricep workout.  Sit-ups/Crunches - I try and do 50, 2 times a day.  I'm not too good now because my knee joints slip out of position while getting up.  Cheers,  Marie