Exercising with PVNS

The limitations that people develop with PVNS may cause them to compensate for their time being immobile.  After a stint of swelling and pain and return to mobility they may be tempted to do more activities.  But beware.  The over exertion of your joint while it's trying to navigate with extra tissue that does not belong there can aggravate it and put you right back into immobile status. 

For those thinking of taking up hiking or running you may want to consider embracing the low imact sports.  Here is a list of activities based on what has and has not worked for me or others with PVNS that I know of (asssuming that you have it in your knee like I do):

Swimming
Bicycling
Kayaking
Yoga
Tai Chi
Pilates
Stationary aerobics such as sit ups

What I don't reccomend:
Zumba
Running
Walking long distances on a declining surface.
Row machines
Heavy weights
Squats
Yoga moves that force you to bend your knee to far
Skiing
Snowboarding
Water skiing
Step classes
Anything that provides any risk of injury (wear lots of padding).

Questionable:
Eliptical trainers (they should be safe but one time after using one my knee blew up like a balloon.)
Walking (distances up to a mile should be ok, anything farther could cause excessive strain depending on how much PVNS you have built up.)
Golfing (using a golf cart of course, but I haven't tried it for a while and the movement of the knees could cause issues).
Dancing (some dancing should be fine but swing dancing or anything where you are moving your knees is no good.