Exercises for knee issues?

[maslex]

So years ago, I tore my meniscus in my left knee. Did 4 months physical therapy. The knee is pretty OK these days (occasionally acts up). Then maybe 7 years ago, I had xrays and an MRI on my right knee. Xray said arthritis and MRI said the meniscus was protuding and the knee cap is dislocated. (that was not a fun one). Also did some PT on that too.

And while I don't have much pain on a day to day basis, I do have trouble with stairs (they are not my friend anymore). But I do notice that when I do extra walking (not my day to day) my knees are killing me.

Once the weather starts getting nice around here and it stays light after dinner, I plan on getting up to the field at the top of my road and do some laps. I'm just curious if I just go up/down my basement stairs, will that help strengthen up the ole knees? I just want to be able to do stairs without issues.

Advice on anything else I should be doing to make taking stairs any easier? I think I have an appt with my orthopedic dr in June (maybe July, I don't know off hand)

 

[barkley]

i had the same idea when i tore mine a few years back. orthopedist said a BIG NO, NO, NO. it was o.k. for me to do some reasonable walking to build up strength in my legs but using stairs more than was necessary was taxing on my knee and would cause more wear/possible tear.

 

[GreatLakes]

I know someone that just had meniscus surgery. They have been doing some PT and basically strengthening all the muscles of the leg to better support the knee. I would talk to a physio you trust to get some options and see if you are improving or hurting your situation.

 

[DLgal]

I'd go back to PT and see what leg strengthening exercises they feel are appropriate for your history. Sometimes to strengthen and stabilize your knees, you have to work your quads, hip flexors, glutes, and lower back. You need to establish a good support network for your knees and all those muscle groups contribute to that.

You may need to modify certain exercises so that you don't aggravate your knee. You need guidance for this.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't know specifically about stairs, but I do know about exercises for torn meniscus's. I have 2 torn meniscus's (I think there are lateral and some other kind, I have both). No surgery for me, because I have neurological problems, so my walking "style" would undoubtedly cause me tear my meniscus again. So I just live with exercise and steroid shots for pain. One good exercise is to sit in a chair. Straighten your leg and hold for about 10 seconds-repeat about 20 times. To make it harder, add weights around the ankle. This strengthens the muscles around your knee-the stronger they are, the less strain on your knees themselves.

 

[Pooh2]

I've torn the menicus in both knees.
The ortho doc said due to the nature of the tears, he would not do surgery.
He recommended swimming for exercise instead of walking.
I got a pool membership at a local hotel to keep moving.
I try to walk a mile about 3 times per week. At this point, that is still painful.
I have found that walking is more tolerable if I use a compression knee sleeve, they are pretty cheap on amazon.
Walking on dirt trails is more comfortable than walking on blacktop. (Disney was brutal).
He said chair and stairs would always be an issue.
Good luck!