Arthritis is a growing problem across the U.S., and Missouri is no exception. The Missouri Regional Arthritis Centers (MRAC) reports that about 1.4 million Missourians are living with some form of arthritis. If you suffer from knee arthritis, considering avoiding these three exercises:
1. “W” sit
The “W” sit is a stretching exercise you should definitely avoid if you have arthritis in the knee. This type of sitting is more common with children, but it has been adapted by some adult athletes to stretch the quads and hip rotators. To do this stretch, you kneel down with your shins flat on the ground, and then you let your butt drop toward the ground. Unfortunately, this stretch places a lot of stress on the knees, hips and ankles, and this is why knee arthritis patients should skip it.
2. Deep squat
Another exercise to avoid with knee arthritis is the deep squat. To do a deep bodyweight squat, you place your feet about shoulder width apart. Then, you sit back like you’re trying to sit down in an imaginary chair. While this exercise can be very good for some people, knee arthritis patients should avoid it. One reason for this is the motion places a significant level of stress on the knees. Also, arthritis-related knee weakness can cause your knees to move inward during the squat, and this can lead to even more wearing in the knee and can even cause anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
3. Deep Lunge
Like deep bodyweight squats, the deep bodyweight lunge is an exercise people with knee arthritis should stay away from. This exercise is basically a one-legged squat, and it can place a lot of stress on the knee. Also, people with knee arthritis may have more difficulty maintaining proper form during this exercise. The most common example of poor lunge form is letting your knee move in front of the toes when lunging. This increases the compression force on the kneecap, and it can lead to increased knee cartilage damage.
Let Excel Sports & Physical Therapy help you treat knee arthritis in Saint Peters, MO
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy has a clinic in Saint Peters, Missouri, that can help people treat many forms of arthritis. We’ll perform a one-on-one screening to determine information like the type of arthritis you have and your level of pain. Then, our team will build you a personalized treatment plan, and these plans are designed to provide benefits like:
- Reduced pain
- Improved joint mobility
- Increased ability to do normal daily tasks
Are you ready to get our help with your arthritis? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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