2) Walk on a flat surface. Walking is one of the exercises considered good for arthritic knees. It’s also one of the best shoes for arthritic knees. Think of walking sticks for minor support and balance, while a cane works more like a crutch and will not be good for walking long distances. Another option is the Palm Grip cane, designed for more stability and even distribution of weight across your palm. So there you have it; the difference between walking sticks and canes is one of form vs. function, of style vs. practicality. Walking on a treadmill may prove to be an excellent aerobic exercise without disturbing your joint pains as well as problems. Whether you’re walking around the house, neighborhood, or on a trail, using a walking stick (hiking pole) can help with balance and stability. … Lots of Americans suffer from painful arthritic knees, but a new study finds that wearing the right type of shoe may help ease discomfort. The poles can be extended to 54” (137 cm) or reduce to 21” to fit in a backpack or can be hidden in the trunk of a car. If your recovery involves walking and you live on a slope, walking poles will be useful. Thanks for reading! Don’t get me wrong, walking won’t be easy early on, however, within a few weeks you should be walking around the house and feeling much better than you did before surgery. It can also reduce some of the impacts on your knee by putting more weight on your arms. For beginners, it is best that they stick to smooth and flat surfaces. So, you love hillwalking and you’re reasonably fit, but you prefer walking uphill, and the downhill bits make your knees hurt. They are lightweight, similar to the options we mention below and they work well to relieve some of the pressure on my knee. You will love this sturdy walking stick, which offers you good stability and support when out and about. In this short piece, we’ll cover some of the elements an RA patient should consider when choosing a walking cane. Felt provides less traction, so is less stable, but it is an option. All patients of rheumatoid arthritis should understand the terrible consequences that could have on your condition. This website is part of the Amazon Associates Affiliate Program, a program designed to provide commissions through advertising that link to Amazon.com. Walking on concrete is the hardest surface I’ve walked on, Use a compression brace to support your knee while walking, Use shoe inserts for extra padding (Dr. Scholls), Heat your knee before activity and use ice afterward, Carbon Fiber (strength, flexibility/shock absorbing, and lightweight), Aluminum (strength, lightweight, less flexibility), Cane (strong, slightly heavier for around the house, Swimming – in my opinion, it’s great for all people (low impact on joints and full body exercise), Cycling – another low impact exercise that can strengthen leg muscles, Elliptical machine – if you’re not familiar with the Elliptical machine, most gyms in the U.S. have them. Every time I write an article about walking and arthritis, I get all sorts of naysayers who tell me their arthritic knees feel grrreat when they walk. Types of Arthritis That Occur In Your Knees This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, which offers a means for websites to earn advertising fees by linking products to Amazon.com. This is a prescription medical device that is designed to fit the arch of your foot perfectly. 7) Avoid walking with competitive, fast-walking people. Rheumatoid arthritis, along with other ailments like multiple sclerosis, often leaves the sufferer in need of a walking cane. Although rest is required for a few days post-surgery, movement, including walking, should take place within a week (at least in my case). An ergonomic grip on your poles should be more comfortable, even with arthritic hands. There are in fact several reasons why Nordic pole walking can be great for your knees: In recent years the pain has forced me to change a lot about my lifestyle (biking and swimming instead of running) but the walks remain constant. The top or curve of the cane should hit at the crease in your wrist. This is a good cane for knee replacement surgery and can be used later in life as well when balance becomes a problem. According to the Arthritis Foundation, flat, flexible walking shoes create less knee stress than stability shoes, such as clogs and sneakers 2 4. Ryka Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoes — Best Walking Shoes for Bad Knees. I have an article that shares all my tips for living with a bad knee. These also break down to 24” from a max of 54”. Nordic walking poles have a spike tip with rubber boot tip for indoor surfaces – the design is meant exactly for the purpose of Nordic walking. Does that mean it’s good for me? Later in your recovery, walking poles/sticks might be better options to help with exercise. Second, the grip of your walking cane is imperative to your condition. Still, others will have additional challenges like rheumatoid arthritis that makes walking long distances difficult. 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