Ergonomic chair setup... but for knee issues, not back

August 16, 2013 10:56 AM

I have found I am hastening the deterioration of an already gimpy knee by virtue of my office chair sitting habits. I tend to perch or sit with my legs tucked under me. Or I cross my legs to the point where it looks like limb braiding. I'm trying to decide if I want to move to something like a yoga ball to sit on, start using some kind of footstool, or something else.

I realize a lot of the problem would be solved if I just started sitting in my chair like a normal person, but that's easier said than done. I think a change of scenery will help a lot.

I don't think I could ever switch to something like a standing desk; my left leg just can't deal with standing for more than 20 min. (My left leg has problems with the hip, knee, and arch of the foot. But my current bad sitting habits really only impact the knee.)

Does anyone have experience with any interesting ergonomic chairs that can get me in a new position where I'm not able to further injure my knee? Trying to break the habit in a normal chair just isn't working and I'd like some new kind of sitting setup.

posted by Wossname to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

I bought a soft ottoman similar to this one at Target that seems to help with my knee issues for office chair sitting.
posted by tilde at 11:04 AM on August 16, 2013

I used to sit like that all the time and also started having knee issues. When I moved offices, I ended up with a Herman Miller Aeron chair which quickly ended that habit. The edge of the seat would dig in to my leg in very uncomfortable ways when I sat like that.

Although, when I went home, there wasn't anything preventing me from sitting like that on the couch.
posted by advicepig at 11:12 AM on August 16, 2013

Try lowering your chair. I used to sit with my legs crossed way up under the chair, but then I lowered it (pretty significantly), and now it's no longer comfortable to have my legs under the chair because there's not enough room for them. Feet go on the floor or stretched out in front, and my back (and gimpy ankle) have been much better since then.
posted by phunniemee at 11:25 AM on August 16, 2013

I had knee surgery, and before and just after the surgery, I used a pillow wedged between the front edge of my chair and the back of my knee to prevent me from tucking it under the chair or crossing over my other leg. Something about having the pillow there made it different enough that it helped me remember. (Bonus: This is a very cheap solution to try.)
posted by pie ninja at 11:33 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]

I also like to tuck my legs up when I sit. I find that having a footrest helps, I keep my feet on that more than when they were just flat on the floor.
posted by radioamy at 11:44 AM on August 16, 2013