Osteoarthritis
Exercise for hip and knee osteoarthritis
Hip or knee osteoarthritis can make stairs, walking and getting out of a chair harder. Exercise can help manage symptoms and build the capacity you need for daily life.
Research on exercise for knee osteoarthritis
A 2024 Cochrane review reported improvements in knee pain and physical function with exercise compared with usual care, limited education or no treatment (Lawford et al., 2024).
A tailored program builds strength, tolerance to load and capacity for daily movement.
Can exercise delay hip replacement?
Exercise and education may help delay hip replacement. A randomised trial found a median time to surgery of 5.4 years with exercise plus education, compared with 3.5 years with education alone, in people with hip osteoarthritis (Svege et al., 2015).
These findings support exercise as part of hip osteoarthritis care, with your program guided by your symptoms, goals and progress.
Exercise physiology focuses for hip and knee osteoarthritis
- Progressive resistance training: gradually increase exercise demands to strengthen the muscles supporting your hips and knees.
- Building tolerance to load: progressively challenge your joints and muscles at a level suited to your symptoms and capacity.
- Movement control and self-management: build balance and lower-limb control, with guidance on exercise progression and symptom management.
Preparing for or recovering from surgery
Exercise supports preparation before surgery and recovery afterwards. Prehabilitation builds strength and physical capacity; rehabilitation progresses with your recovery and your treating team’s instructions.
Discuss surgery options with your GP and surgeon alongside your symptoms, goals and response to treatment.
My experience supporting a client return to cycling
One client came to me frustrated by knee osteoarthritis pain that made walking uncomfortable and flared up unpredictably. We focused on regular exercise tailored to him, progressive strengthening through a range of movements and education to help him understand and manage his symptoms. Over time, he developed a much better handle on his pain and returned to long-distance cycling. For him, progress meant feeling more in control and getting back to an activity he enjoys.
Mobile osteoarthritis exercise physiology in Perth
Motus Integrated Health offers mobile exercise physiology for people managing hip and knee osteoarthritis, preparing for surgery or rebuilding function afterwards. Based in Kensington, we work with you at home, in your gym or in a suitable community setting across metropolitan Perth.
General information only. Exercise advice should be tailored to your health, needs and goals.
References
- Lawford BJ, Hall M, Hinman RS, et al. (2024). Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12, CD004376. Read article
- Svege I, Nordsletten L, Fernandes L, Risberg MA (2015). Exercise therapy may postpone total hip replacement surgery in patients with hip osteoarthritis: A long-term follow-up of a randomised trial. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 74(1), 164–169. Read article