Strong evidence

Exercise reduces pain and improves physical function in knee osteoarthritis.

In practice

Arthritic knees are not a reason to stop loading the legs. Strengthening the muscles around the joint is standard care, and the movements can be adjusted for range and load rather than abandoned.

What it doesn't say

Benefits are modest on average and shrink over the long term. Someone with diagnosed osteoarthritis should be guided by their clinician on which movements and what range.

Source

• Lawford BJ, et al. (2024). Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD004376. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004376.pub4