My knees hurt. Can I still exercise?

Knee pain can result from a number of different things, can affect people of all ages and can be acute (sudden) or chronic (ongoing). If either of these scenarios is something that you’re currently dealing with, you might be wondering whether you can continue exercising.

This article will help answer that question but first, let’s cover some common causes of knee pain.

Common causes of knee pain

There are many reasons why you might be experiencing pain in your knee.  Some common causes include:

• Injury to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the area
• Fractures to the bones that comprise the knee joint
• Dislocation of the kneecap
• Meniscus tears
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Issues in the hips or ankles
• Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome
• Gout or pseudogout
• Viral or bacterial infections

Can you continue exercising if you’re experiencing knee pain?

The answer to this question is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. It’s very individualized and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to whether you can still exercise with knee pain.

Ultimately, it depends on the cause of your knee pain. If you have a bone fracture or a dislodged kneecap, you should not continue exercising. Similarly, if you have muscle tears or torn ligaments, it’s not a good idea to carry on working out.

However, if you’re dealing with a chronic issue, such as arthritis, it may be a good idea to continue with light exercise to maintain your muscle and bone strength.

There are a number of low-impact forms of exercise that are suitable for some individuals who are experiencing knee pain. These include swimming, gentle walking, Pilates and yoga.

Before you continue working out with knee pain, you should always consult your doctor or a professional physical therapist. It’s essential that you identify the cause of the pain so you know which forms of exercise (if any) are appropriate for you.