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Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Sydney | Anti-Gravity Treadmill

Walk and run with significantly less pressure through the knee joint. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill improves movement tolerance, strength, and confidence — progressively and without pain.

Knee Pain Osteoarthritis Joint Loading Active Management
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Knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation on Anti-Gravity Treadmill — SportsFit Five Dock
Why the Anti-Gravity Treadmill for Knee OA?

MOVEMENT IS THE MEDICINE

Knee osteoarthritis cannot be reversed — but the research is clear that progressive exercise and movement improve pain, function, and quality of life more than most other interventions. The challenge for many patients is that walking and running on the ground is painful, which creates a cycle of avoidance and deconditioning that makes things worse.

The Anti-Gravity Treadmill breaks this cycle. By reducing body weight by 40–60%, the compressive forces through the arthritic knee joint are dramatically reduced — often below the pain threshold — allowing movement to occur comfortably. Over time, as tolerance builds, the support is gradually reduced and the knee learns to handle more load.

The goal is not to eliminate pain completely — it's to expose the joint to progressively more load in a controlled way, improving the strength and capacity of the surrounding muscles that support the knee. This is the most effective long-term management strategy for knee OA.

The Protocol

KNEE OA PROTOCOL

Four phases from supported walking through progressive exposure and ongoing management.

01
Approx. Weeks 0–3
Supported Walking
40–60% body-weight support
Comfortable walking pace for 15–20 minutes
Focus on smooth, controlled movement
Monitor gait symmetry and comfort levels
02
Approx. Weeks 3–6
Progressive Exposure
20–40% body-weight support
Transition from brisk walking to slow jogging where appropriate
Gradually increase duration before reducing support
Monitor next-day swelling and stiffness
03
Approx. Weeks 6+
Load Tolerance Build
Reduce support gradually as tolerated
Increase speed or gentle incline if guided by physio
Improve confidence with normal movement patterns
Increase duration and speed gradually
04
Ongoing
Ongoing Management
Supported sessions may be used long-term
Alternate treadmill and outdoor activity
Manage symptom flare-ups by adjusting support level
Maintain cardiovascular fitness throughout
Progression & Red Flags

CLINICAL DECISION RULES

Key Focus
Exposure to Movement
Increasing tolerance to load — not eliminating symptoms completely
Reduce body-weight support slowly over weeks
Monitor gait symmetry and comfort
Red Flags
Regress If:
Increased swelling or stiffness next day
Antalgic gait develops or worsens
Pain significantly worsens during sessions
Long Term
Ongoing Use
Supported sessions can be used indefinitely for symptom management
Particularly useful during flare-up periods
Complements land-based strengthening program
Common Questions

FAQ — KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Is running bad for knee osteoarthritis?

The evidence is more nuanced than the old "running wears out your knees" advice. Recreational running at appropriate loads does not worsen knee OA and may actually be protective. The problem is usually load spikes — doing too much too soon. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill allows a controlled, progressive introduction to running load that builds tolerance without aggravating the joint.

I can barely walk 10 minutes without pain. Can this help me?

Yes — this is exactly the kind of presentation the Anti-Gravity Treadmill is designed for. Starting at 50–60% body-weight support, many patients who struggle with 10 minutes of walking on the ground can walk comfortably for 20–30 minutes on the treadmill. This builds the fitness and strength base needed to gradually return to normal walking and activity.

Do I need a referral?

No referral needed. Book a free call and we'll discuss your situation before your first appointment.

Get Started

KEEP MOVING DESPITE KNEE PAIN

Book a free call. We'll build a plan that gets you moving more, with less pain — progressively and sustainably.

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No referral needed · Five Dock, Inner West Sydney · Health fund rebates available

Inner West Anti-Gravity Treadmill — Five Dock

164 Great North Road, Five Dock NSW 2046  ·  (02) 8054 3775  ·  SportsFit Health & Rehab →

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