Strengthen the Muscles That Support the Knee Joint With Knee Exercises

Life would be simple if knee joint pain were a thing of the past, with surgeries fondly remembered as an old-fashioned method of treating injuries. Occurring sooner than we think, more and more individuals who are diagnosed with knee injury with pain are using an alternative to surgery and strong medication. This alternative method is used to strengthen the muscles that support the knee joint with exercises - much cheaper, less invasive, and just as affective with the patient more in control of their own healing.

The knee consists of several parts - bones, tendons, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. Each part can become damaged and develop into a serious knee injury or the knee pain can results from parts of the knee wearing out. Up until recently, orthopedic surgeons have been the answer for surgically treating all bones, joints and soft tissues for extensive injuries or knee diseases, when damage is more extensive. But if tears are minor and the pain is limited, muscle strengthening exercises are used, building the hamstring muscles to increase the knee's strength and flexibility.

Types of knee joint exercises to strengthen the knee muscles

• Before beginning any exercises, warm up by riding a stationary bike. Then straighten the injured leg and raised it slowly a couple of times.
• Water is excellent to strengthen supportive muscles of the knee joint. (1) Press the back against the side of the pool while in chest-deep water, raising each leg 90-degrees; (2) do a quick walk while in water that is chest-deep; and (3) hold onto the side of the pool and do several flutter kicks in the water.
• While sitting on a chair on or on the couch, extend the injured leg with a weight worn on the ankle.
• Lie flat on the stomach on a soft floor mat, raising the injured leg in the air as high as possible.
Using knee exercises to strengthen muscles for knee tendon injuries

Once a person injures the knee tendon (tendinitis), the muscles surrounding the area will become painful due to swelling and inflammation. Initially, the injured knee should be rested and elevated, with ice applied to the knee and compressed wraps used. Aspirin or ibuprofen can be taken to relieve any pain and inflammation during this time.

When the knee tendon is partially or completely torn, knee exercises are used as a primary rehabilitation to restore its ability to bend and straighten the entire knee area. The exercises are also used to strengthen the knee for prevention of further knee injuries. Knee ligament injuries would use similar exercises but are more vigorous in their application. Strengthening the muscles that support the knee joint with knee exercises is an excellent preventive for further injuries, or a way to work out the present painful knee injury. Even after surgery for a seriously damaged knee, knee exercises are needed in order to keep the knee flexible and movable.