Bone & joint healthFitness & exercisePain management

6 easy exercises for knee-pain relief

Get strong, flexible, healthy knees with these exercises.

Jan, 2026
LearnRheumatologyKnee osteoarthritis6 easy exercises for knee-pain relief
Stair Step-Ups
Up and Downs
Leg Flexes
Knee Rolls
Hip Extensions
Leg Lifts

1 of 6

Stair Step-Ups

Place your left foot on the first step of a stairway and your hand on the wall or banister for balance. Slowly step up onto your left foot so you are standing tall on the step with your left foot, and your right foot's off the ground. Hold for a second, and then step back down off the step onto your right foot, so there's no weight on your left foot. Repeat up to 6 times. If you need to, take a short rest between steps. Reverse legs, and repeat up to 6 times.

Are you being nice to your knees? Answer these five questions to find out if you have any habits that need changing.

Written byMichael Gollust.
Medically reviewed byMegan Burke, MD.September, 2025

Recommended for you

10 easy knee-pain treatments that you need to try
Slideshow
5 ways to take better care of your knees
Article
Rheumatology
3 steps to treat arthritis in your knees
Video
Rheumatology
8 easy exercises for achy joints
Slideshow
Achy joints? 5 ways to get some relief
Article
AskMDHow can I be more consistent?
AskMd LogoAskMd Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.