Question
I have recently been suffering from severe knee pain.Infact the pain started around December last year. Since I was out of town I wasn't able to show it to my family doctor. Later when I consulted him he advised me to consult an orthopaedic doctor. During the initial check up the doctor informed that it's nothing to worry. However when I took an X-Ray of my left knee the doctor told there is a problem. He told me it not arthritis but it is Early Degenerative Joint Disease. Later when I googled on the net I found that the above term refers to Osteoarthritis. My age is 30. I plan to go to gym and do weight training. But get scared if it will aggravate my pain especially if I use treadmill. I'm really interested in working out especially weights etc. Should I know drop the idea of going to gym and stick with light exercises. Please advise.

Answer
Ajay,

Going to the gym is a great idea. Exercise is one of the best ways to slow down the advancement of osteoarthritis. The treadmill is not your best option. Strengthening the muscles around the knee is very important. This will take the pressure off of the knee and slow the progression of the disease. The best exercise is warm water exercise. Right behind that is strength training.

When beginning it is a good idea to work with light weights when exercising your legs. Nice slow repetitions will strengthen all the muscles around the knee.

Here are a couple of articles you may be interested in.

http://arthritis-symptom.com/warm-water-exercise.htm

http://arthritis-symptom.com/ankylosing-spondylitis/exercise.htm

Rusty