The key lies in exercising muscles surrounding the knee joints - the quadriceps (front thigh muscle), the hamstrings (back thigh muscles), the abductors (outside thigh muscles) and the adductor (inside thigh muscles). Exercising the muscles around your knee will keep them strong and less susceptible to injury. Exercising often, will also help keep your joints from stiffening, providing you with needed support, making movement easier and therefore reducing pain.

The following, simple exercises will both help you stretch and strengthen the knee area.

Here's How: Bend one leg at the knee, keeping the other leg straight. Lift the foot just off the floor and hold it for a slow count of 5, then lower. Repeat 5 times with each leg. For effective results, repeat this exercise in the morning and at night. You may also do so in bed.

Step Ups

Here's How: Hold onto a chair. Squat down until your kneecap covers your big toe. Return to standing. When you are first starting, complete 10 repetitions. Then, as you improve, try to squat a little further, just be sure not to bend your knees beyond a right angle.

Here's How: Sit on the floor, with your legs stretched out in front of you. Slowly bend one knee, until you feel a comfortable stretch. Hold for 5 seconds. Then straighten you leg as much as you can and hold for another 5 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times for each leg.