Exercise Therapy "Wears Down" My Knee Joint: Myth or Reality?

Bricca, Alessio; Juhl, Carsten Bogh; Roos, Ewa M · J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · 2025

review · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

<b>BACKGROUND:</b> Exercise therapy is a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. However, many patients and some clinicians believe that exercise therapy might harm knee cartilage in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. <b>CLINICAL QUESTION:</b> Does exercise therapy damage knee joint cartilage in individuals at risk of, or with, knee osteoarthritis? <b>KEY RESULTS:</b> Systematic reviews demonstrate that exercise therapy does not seem to harm cartilage structure or quality. <b>CLINICAL APPLICATION:</b> To dispel the misconception that exercise therapy wears down knee cartilage, clinicians should proactively address these concerns when treating patients with knee osteoarthritis. <i>J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2025;55(7):1-5. Epub 16 May 2025. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.13069</i>.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy