Strengthen your knees to help manage osteoarthritis pain.

6 Ways to Make Bike Riding Fun Again

You may never forget how to ride a bike, but you might have forgotten how fun it can be. The good news? With today’s high-tech and ergonomic bikes and accessories, you can relive the joy (and health benefits) of cycling without straining knee joints already sore with osteoarthritis. Here’s what to look for.

Knee Exercise & Bike Riding - Comfort

#1 - A bike designed for comfort

The variety of bike frame styles available today is good news for those with achy knees. Visit bike pro shops to learn about recumbent bikes and “comfort bikes” that are made to ease stress on the body and increase stability.
Knee Exercise & Bike Riding - Softer Seat

#2 - A softer seat

Look for a gender-specific, gel-padded saddle. Saddles with a notch forged in the center reduce pressure on the crotch.

Knee Exercise & Bike Riding - Pedals

#3 - Proper pedals

Take it easy by using larger pedals, which require you to exert fewer pounds per square inch for propulsion.
Knee Exercise & Bike Riding - Wheels

#4 - The right width wheels

Wider wheels absorb more of the jarring from bumps and holes in the road, but narrow wheels require you to expend less energy to propel the bike. A happy medium, such as a one-inch tire, is best.
Knee Exercise & Bike Riding - Smoother Ride

#5 - A smoother ride

Front fork and seat post suspension do a great job absorbing shock from bumps, so your joints don’t have to.
Knee Exercise & Bike Riding - Gears

#6 - Lots of gears

Changing gears allows you to pedal at the same number of revolutions per second, despite terrain changes, easing stress on your knees. Make sure your bike offers plenty of gears — five or more is optimal — especially if you plan to ride hills.

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PLEASE NOTE: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of the advice of your doctor. By providing you with this information, Genzyme Corporation is not endorsing its content. You should consult with your doctor before starting any new health regimen.

Adapted from Arthritis Today®, the health magazine published by the Arthritis Foundation®. The views presented herein are solely those of Arthritis Today and their publisher the Arthritis Foundation. Genzyme Corporation does not have any input in, or editorial control over Arthritis Today and is not responsible for its content. Arthritis Today is a registered trademark of the Arthritis Foundation.

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Knee Exercise Videos

Watch these simple exercises, designed specifically for knees with osteoarthritis, and add them to your daily routine.

Watch knee exercise videos

Indication

Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20) and SYNVISC® (hylan G-F 20) are indicated for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics, e.g., acetaminophen.

Important Safety Information

Before trying Synvisc-One or SYNVISC, tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds — such as feathers, eggs or poultry — or if your leg is swollen or infected. Synvisc-One and SYNVISC are only for injection into the knee, performed by a doctor or other qualified health care professional. Synvisc-One and SYNVISC have not been tested to show pain relief in joints other than the knee. Talk to your doctor before resuming strenuous weight-bearing activities after treatment. Synvisc-One and SYNVISC have not been tested in children, pregnant women or women who are nursing. You should tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant or if you are nursing a child. The side effects most commonly seen when Synvisc-One or SYNVISC is injected into the knee were pain, swelling and/or fluid buildup in or around the knee. Cases where the swelling is extensive or painful should be discussed with your doctor. Allergic reactions such as rash and hives have been reported rarely.

View the Complete Prescribing Information for Synvisc-One (PDF)
View the Complete Prescribing Information for SYNVISC (PDF)