Degenerative arthritis – Step 4

Rehabilitation starts with the exercises in Step 1. When the exercises can be performed without pain, rehabilitation starts on the next step.

How often and for how long should I train? Training frequency and duration are individual. Start with about 3 repetitions per workout. exercise and at least 3 times a week. Slowly increase the number of repetitions and load without exceeding the pain threshold

Do I have to do the whole program every time? No, you can divide the exercises into different days. The most important thing is to exercise regularly and gradually increase the intensity

Instruction

Read the full instruction for rehabilitation here

The time in minutes indicates the time distribution between stretching, balance and strength if you train for one hour.
Whether you train for one hour or 10 minutes, for example, is adapted to your starting point – and can be increased over time.

Condition

Unlimited: Cycling, swimming and light running on soft surfaces

Stretching

15 minutes of each training session

Lie on your back. Hold the back of your knee with both hands. Pull your working leg up towards your head, so that you feel a gradual stretch in your hamstring. Perform the exercise with both a straight and a bent knee. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Then do the same exercise on the other leg.

Lie on your back. Bend your right leg 90 degrees at the hip and knee Place the outside of your left foot against your right knee. With your hands on the back of your right knee, pull your leg up towards your head, so that the buttocks of your left leg become increasingly stretched. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise on the opposite leg.

Lie on your back with one leg straight. Bend the other leg and place your foot on the other side of the stretched leg. With both hands, pull your knee up towards the opposite shoulder so that your buttocks are increasingly stretched. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise on the opposite leg.

Stand with your legs apart. Keep one leg straight and the other slightly bent. Shift your weight to the side onto your bent leg, so that you feel a gradual stretch on the inside of the opposite thigh. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise on the other leg.

Sit with your knees bent and the soles of your feet touching. Place your hands on both knees and slowly push your knees apart, so that you feel a gradual stretch in your groin. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Relax for 20 seconds.

“The Clam”. Lie on your side with your hips and knees bent, with the working leg on top. Rotate slightly forwards so that your navel is pointing towards the floor. Lift the top knee away from the bottom knee, keeping your feet together.

Lie on your back. Bend your hips and knees. Wrap your hands around your shins and press your knees towards your head, lifting your head at the same time to gradually stretch your back. Hold the position for 20 seconds. Relax for 20 seconds.

Stand with one foot on a chair and the other leg stretched out behind you. Shift your weight forwards so that you feel a gradual stretch at the front of your hip. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise on the other leg.

Stand on your good leg with the elastic band wrapped around the outside of the working leg above the knee. Move the working leg from side to side in a slow motion.

Coordination

5 minutes of each training session

Balance on two feet on the balance board. To begin with, use your hand to support yourself against the wall. Later, balance on one foot without support. Try holding it later balance with your eyes closed.

“The Runner”. Stand on your training leg with your knee straight. Bend your body forwards at a 90-degree angle and lift your healthy leg straight out behind you and the opposite arm straight out in front of you. Keep your balance on your supporting leg for as long as possible. If necessary, use one hand to support yourself against the wall at the start. Once you feel confident, you can make the exercise more challenging by closing your eyes.

Strength

40 minutes of each training session

Attach an exercise band at ankle height behind you. Sit on a chair with your back against the resistance band. Wrap the resistance band around your shin just above the ankle. Slowly stretch your knee to tighten the elastic band. Hold the tension for a few seconds and slowly bend the knee again

Attach an exercise band 10 cm above floor level. Stand facing the exercise band. Place the resistance band around your training leg between the knee and the ankle (the lower you place it, the greater the resistance). Slowly bring your leg back so that the band tightens. Hold the tension for a few seconds, then slowly bring your leg forward to the starting position.

Attach an exercise band 10 cm above floor level. Stand with your side facing the exercise band, with the working leg closest to the band. Place the band around the working leg. Position the band between the knee and the ankle (the lower the position, the greater the resistance). Slowly move the leg to the side (in front of the supporting leg) so that the band tightens. Hold the tension for a few seconds and slowly return the leg to the starting position.

“Bicycle crunch”. Lie on your back. Place your hands behind your head. Make cycling movements with your legs and bring your right elbow towards your left knee and your left elbow towards your right knee in turn. Fully extend the leg that is raised.

Lie on your stomach on a table. Hold the edge of the table with your hands at head height. Bend both knees. Tighten your glutes and lift your legs straight up towards the ceiling.

Lie on your back with the ball under the training leg. Lift your hip off the floor and stretch your healthy leg. Hold the position for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise alternately with the right and left leg.

Lie on your side, supporting yourself on your forearm and foot, with your legs stretched out and the leg you are working on at the top. Lift your hips so that your body is straight. Lift your top leg, keeping it straight, as high as possible. Hold the position for as long as possible, then lower your leg and hips back to the starting position.