Knee & Hip
Arthritis doesn't have to mean giving up walks, stairs or the things you enjoy. Exercise-based physical therapy is one of the most strongly recommended treatments for knee osteoarthritis.
Yes, physical therapy helps knee arthritis. The American College of Rheumatology and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons both strongly recommend exercise and physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis, to reduce pain and improve how well you move. For some people it can put off the need for surgery, and if you do eventually need a knee replacement, going in stronger helps your recovery. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.
Osteoarthritis is a gradual change in the cartilage and bone of the joint. But pain isn't only about cartilage: weak thigh and hip muscles, stiffness, extra body weight and an old injury all affect how much load the knee takes. That's why what shows on an X-ray often doesn't match how much it hurts, and why making the muscles around the knee stronger can reduce pain even though the X-ray doesn't change.
Movement is good for arthritic joints. The goal is the right amount of the right exercise, not avoiding activity.
Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We check your knee and hip strength, motion, balance and walking, and ask which daily tasks matter most to you: stairs, walks, gardening, keeping up with grandkids.
Progressive strengthening for the thigh and hip muscles, hands-on treatment to improve stiffness, and balance work, adjusted so the knee is challenged without flaring up.
Easier ways to handle stairs, chairs and the car, a walking plan you can build on, advice on a brace or cane if it would help, and a home program to keep the gains going.
See a doctor promptly if you have:
Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.
Ready to feel better?
Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.
Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026