Yes, unfortunately it can. You are in a difficult situation when you would like to lose some weight for health and but osteoarthritis in the knees makes it hard to do traditional cardio. Losing weight would help the knees but the knees make hinder common means of calorie burning like walking or jogging.
You have to get creative with your “cardio” workout in order to protect your knees. Sometimes it is as easy as switching from walking to bicycle or swimming. Other times the knees demand a little more attention. Remember that you can raise your heart rate in other ways. Circuit training with multi-joint resistance exercises and minimal rest periods for instance can still elevate the heart rate within a target range. Appropriately chosen exercises can minimize the stress on the knees.
Exercise is one of the best forms of medicine for osteoarthritis. But if the condition has left your knees achy and stiff, then it may be time to rethink your cardio workout. If you currently jog or run on a treadmill to rev up your heart and burn calories, for instance, you may be worsening the damage your knees have already sustained.
Think about switching to a low-impact exercise such as swimming, cycling or walking. Whatever you choose, be sure to include plenty of stretching exercises before and after you work out, which will improve your joints' range of motion.
Continue Learning about Affects of Osteoarthritis on the Body
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.