My Knees Hurt — Should I Rest or Walk?

Walking is an excellent form of exercise. It is gentle, does not require a lot of fancy equipment, and can be a great way to support your physical and mental wellness. But what if your knees hurt? Will walking worsen the pain, or will it provide benefits? That depends on the specifics of your situation. In this blog post, you will get help deciding whether you should walk or rest with knee pain.

Potential Benefits of Walking with Knee Pain

Walking is great for your joints, and it could be advantageous even if your knees hurt. Here are some potential benefits:

• Improved joint lubrication: Walking helps distribute synovial fluid within your knee joint. This natural fluid nourishes the cartilage and reduces friction. In turn, this can minimize stiffness.
• Strengthened muscles: Walking engages the muscles around your knees, including your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Stronger muscles provide better support for your joints and help absorb some of the impact that would otherwise stress your knee.
• Maintained flexibility: Gentle movement preserves your range of motion. When you stop moving for long periods, your joint can stiffen, making daily activities more challenging. Walking at a comfortable pace can help keep your knee flexible and functional.
• Weight management: Carrying excess weight increases the load on your knees. Walking is a low-impact exercise that may help you manage your weight, thereby reducing stress on the joint and potentially easing pain over time.
• Enhanced circulation: Increased blood flow from walking can encourage healing in the knee area.

If you choose to walk, start out slowly and make sure to wear supportive shoes. Avoid overexerting yourself, and gradually work your way up to longer or faster walks.

When to Rest and Call Your Doctor

Although walking can be beneficial, there are situations where you should rest your knee and seek medical advice. Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Severe pain or swelling: If your pain is intense or does not improve with rest, you should avoid walking and contact your healthcare provider. Noticeable swelling, especially if it appears suddenly, could signal a serious injury.
• Inability to bear weight: If you cannot put weight on your leg without significant discomfort or your knee feels weak, rest is essential. A doctor can help identify the problem and get you on the road to recovery.
• History of injury: If your pain began after a specific injury, such as a fall or twist, you should be cautious. Ligament tears, fractures, or other acute injuries often need a period of rest and a professional evaluation before you resume walking.
• Other serious signs and symptoms. A fever along with joint swelling, inability to move your knee, or any other serious abnormalities in knee function or feeling should be assessed by a doctor.

Recovering from Knee Pain

Knee pain can have many different causes. A qualified orthopedic physician can evaluate your case and make recommendations based on your unique circumstances. They may advise you to start a regular walking program. Or, they might tell you that you would benefit from treatments like regenerative medicine injections, physical therapy, or other professional services. Hopefully, your knee pain will soon be greatly reduced or even eliminated!

Meet the Practice

At the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics of Fort Lauderdale, our large team of medical professionals offers a range of minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments that can help with knee pain. If you have this problem, we are ready to perform an examination and get you on the path to relief! To learn more about us or to request a consultation, contact our office at 954-563-2707.