The pain I feel from osteoarthritis in my knee gets worse when I'm active. Wouldn't it be safest for me just to stay in my recliner so I don't feel pain?

It is natural to want to avoid movements and activities that make your pain worse. Yet health experts agree that people with knee osteoarthritis can benefit from certain types of exercise. People who stop activity because they feel pain are at risk of having more problems, because avoiding activity can cause muscles and bones to weaken and joints to get stiffer. Safe exercise helps lubricate joints and keeps muscles strong. Done on a regular basis, exercise has been found to help people control pain from knee osteoarthritis. Your doctor may have you see a physical therapist to discuss the types of exercise that will be best for you.