It's vital to keep doing exercise as otherwise the muscles around your joints will weaken and become stiff. Exercise will also help reduce pain and stiffness and make it easier for you to move around. There are 3 types of exercise that help: strengthening the muscles around your joint; a range of motion exercises to maintain joint motion and improve flexibility; aerobic exercise, e. g walking, swimming, cycling or hydrotherapy (supervised exercises in a pool). Aim to do exercises daily but don't overdo it-they shouldn't cause sharp pain that is different from the usual stiffness. If they do, stop. Don't do strengthening exercises if your joint is hot and inflamed. A physiotherapist, occupational therapist or your doctor will tailor a programme to your needs and help you find the right balance between rest and exercise.
Attribution: BUPA