We recommend that all stages I and II and certain stage III patients undertake conservative treatment under medical supervision for at least three months. The patients and their families must completely undersand the reasoning behind the conservative treatment in order for it to be successful.
We first emphasize that medial abrasion phenomenon is an important cause for osteoarthitis. Then we review the daily routine of a patient so we may discuss how, if anything, to modify his or her routine at home, on the job, or during workouts so as to minimize abrasion in his or her knee. In principle, movements that require repeated bending of the knee are harmful to the knee.
Table I is compiled based on this principle, Therefore, if your activity is not on this list, y.ou can apply this principle to judge if it is knee friendly.
To avoid exerting shearing force harmful to cartilage regeneration, a recuperating patient should avoid repeatedly bending their knees more than 50 degrees. Therefore, sufferers of OA knees may engage in activities such as walking, jogging, golfing, and swimming freestyle or butterfly strokes. But they are advised to refrain from knee-damaging activities such as climbing up or down stairs, mountain climbing, squatting (such as gardening), bicycling, and swimming breaststroke.
| Are your activities friendly to your knees? | |
| Suitable activities | Harmful activities |
| Walking | Climbing up or down stairs |
| Jogging | Squatting (e.g. Gardening) |
| Golfing | Bicycling |
| Freestyle swimming | Breaststroke swimming |
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| Ａ. "Leg Raise" for quadriceps strengthening Objective: to strengthen and keep the endurance of your thigh muscle |
Ｂ. "Knee Hug" for anterior soft tissue stretching Objective: to maintain appropriate tension between cartilage |
Ｃ. "Press Knee" for posterior soft tissue stretching Objective: to maintain appropriate tension between cartilage |
Three recommended rehabilitation exercises under the KHPO
Like toothbrushing for oral hygiene, these rehabilitation exercises are recommended to be performed lifelong for the health of your knee.
Rehabilitation and muscle strengthen training
The most economical, convenient, and effective methods:
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Strengthening the quadriceps: Raise leg and straighten the knee to strengthen the quadriceps, as in Diagram A.
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After each quadriceps exercise, slowly bend your knee to the limit and hold in the knee bend exercise, Diagram B, and straighten your knee and press, Diagram C, to maintain the range of motion of the knees and to reduce stiffness.
If you have received the ACRFP, we suggest that you work with trained personnel, such as case managers or specialized nurses, to monitor the training of the muscles around your knee joints and soft tissues and your at-home rehabilitation.
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