Is it okay for someone with knee osteoarthritis to start(or continue) exercising?
A. This is actually a complicated question. Exercise is good for the muscles that keep the knee aligned and straight, thereby preventing further deterioration. However, if there is too much damage to the cartilage,exercise, if it’s done too vigorously, can extend this damage. What’s good for the muscles may not be good for the joint surfaces. Any recommendation has to be tailored to the individual. If a person could benefit from muscle strengthening—and many people can—gentle exercising (such as isometrics) is good. Weight-bearing, impact-loading exercises, however, may make the damage to the cartilage worse if the joint surfaces are already injured. So, it’s a delicate balance. Q. What is a ganglion cyst? Does anything need to be done about it? A. A ganglion cyst is an extension of the lining that occurs around tendons, ligaments, and joints into the soft tissues around the wrist.What results is a knot or swelling that contains fluid normally found inside the joint, and this is occasi
