If you have Osteonecrosis of the knee like me exercise should and can still be a part of your lifestyle. But we must must must use caution and we just can’t go all willie nillie and do this or that on our own. We need to always first consult our ortho and then see a trained physical therapist one who understands osteonecrosis. The key is to know the right exercises and the right way to do them.
Generally, long-term exercise is safe for adults with knee pain from Osteonecrosis but as we know we can go from stage one to stage 3 in as less as weeks and as long as months even years, that’s why it’s imperative we keep in contact with our pcp and orthopedic.
Exercise when performed correctly, the right exercises can even help decrease our pain of osteonecrosis and osteoarthritis and other bone and joint conditions
It can improve our ability to carry out ordinary physical activities. We have to to keep our muscles strong as they support the joints and keeps them stabilized.
It may seem counterintuitive for exercise to decrease knee pain, because when our knees hurt we don’t really feel like exercising, but for me that’s when I have to push through because it will help my pain
But it’s helpful to understand how it works.
Exercise improves:
- hormonal balance
- lowers blood sugar
- improves articular cartilage tolerance
- strengthens muscles and muscles are what supports our bones.
Exercise also improves your muscle strength. Stronger muscles are able to carry your body weight more efficiently, relieving some of the burden put on the joints.
However, performing the “wrong” exercise or using poor form may increase pain or inflict irritation to the joint.
“Pain with exercise isn’t normal,”
That said, it’s important to note that when starting a new exercise program, you may experience “muscular soreness,” which is different from joint pain.
It’s normal to experience muscle soreness fir a day or even two after exercises, when I first started a simple walking program I walked every other day. I gave my muscles a chance to rest.
I liked my PT sessions and afterwards I got the Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) device which helped my muscles relax and recover.
I highly suggest a physical therapist, they will be guiding you through the process. An expert will analyze your form and make suggestions. They show you how to properly do the exercises.
You don’t want to injure something else in the process of trying to stay active.
Biking , swimming water aerobics are much easier on the joints.
Avascular Necrosis-Osteonecrosis Education and Resources 