Because support for bipeds such as ourselves depends on the chain of hip, knee and ankle, and the knee only moves in one plane (flex and extend), Yoga is particularly useful for the knee. Increasing the ranges of motion of the hip and ankle, improving coordination and raising strength of the quadriceps, adductors, abductors and internal and external rotators of the hip and ankle are critical for maintaining the knee in its safe forward-backward motions. If the hip and/or ankle are unable to adapt to the unusual postural changes and other movements in our busy lives, the knee joints will be constrained to twist and bend sidewards, motions which will damage their elaborate and complex structure and function.
The knee is really a shock-absorber, with motion in one front-to-back plane.Frequently by working on the hip and/or ankle, with their far greater ranges in all planes, we can free the knee from pressures to move in ways that are not natural for its geometry. Physical therapy is often extremely helpful in this work, and where that alone does not suffice, we have yoga, Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques, massage and acupuncture. In each of these alternative therapies, we offer one-on-one sessions prescribed and monitored by a rehabilitation physician, for which we have seen solid positive results over the years. We also have recourse, where indicated, to many categories of oral medications.
Improved balance and posture figure into good knee health. Poses such as the Konasanas and Triangmukhaikapadapaschimottanasana are particularly useful, but all standing poses are of value here too.
If even oral nonsteroidals fail, we are expert at giving injections of steroids to reduce inflammation, Euflexxa and other hyaluronate preparations for arthritis, and platelet rich plasma (PRP) which has been curative in more than 75% of cases over the past 18 months. We have begun using stem cell injections where appropriate.