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Patellas are held in place by quadriceps (frontal of the thigh), hamstrings (rear of the thigh) muscles primarily and the calf muscles to an extent. The quads and hams tend on the patella (knee cap), that's how the body is designed.
The harder you make the Quads, hams, calf and gluteal muscles, the better for the knee, its cap and the general leg. There's no way it can fail.
Those machines are bad for knees because the movements initiates from the knee joint itself. .. BUT that's if you're using heavy weight. VERY light weight must be used, and in that case.. the movements aren't as efficient as other leg muscle strengthening exercises.
Squats aren't bad because the movement is initiated from the hip joint. Working on the surrounding muscles is definitely correct, but through those isolation movements that are initiated through the knee joint, puts unnecessary pressure on it.
Cycling and walking are just useless. Those muscles need to be toughened up.
Bit rude..
Anyways, cycling isn't entirely useless. The cyclic motion is good for the joint, in moderation. Obviously.. hardcore cylists endure knee pain quite often (Due to, as you say.. not strengthening the muscles around the knee joint through strength training...)
Anyways, it would be good to give an idea of what your issue stems from. How old you are, experience exercising, long term or short term.. etc. Need background information otherwise, most people are shootin' in the dark for what can help.
The first thing always, ice/heat. NSIADS (short term use, if it's a short term problem). stretching and foam rolling. sometimes tight muscles pull and regardless of strength of the leg muscles, that will cause knee pain. you'll end up modifying the way you walk based on muscle imbalances/unused "dead" muscles and cause you pain at various points in your body (joints, back etc).
I've had type 2 diabetes for 3 yrs, my AIC's have been running at 5.8. You're right, it's a combination of what you're eating, i'm getting better with it, but not where i should be. I just read tonite that you should avoid dairy, because it cause inflammation, i've been eating alot of nonfat, plain greek yogurt. I love it!!!
It was so painful for me......the realization that my favorite food......dairy....was causing me lots of inflammation. I just love full-fat greek yogurt....cheese....butter......cottage cheese....oh my, I love dairy.
I would work out and be sore the next day.....no biggie, kinda sore but nothing too bad. But then I would have lunch, maybe a container of cottage cheese with ground flax seed......YUMMY. After the meal, it was like clockwork.......my shoulders would pop and crackle when I lifted my arms up.....my knees would pop....all of my joints would show increased crepidity.
I rarely eat dairy anymore. I miss it......but I sure feel the difference.
Those machines are bad for knees because the movements initiates from the knee joint itself. .. BUT that's if you're using heavy weight. VERY light weight must be used, and in that case.. the movements aren't as efficient as other leg muscle strengthening exercises.
Squats aren't bad because the movement is initiated from the hip joint. Working on the surrounding muscles is definitely correct, but through those isolation movements that are initiated through the knee joint, puts unnecessary pressure on it.
I was never a fan of leg extensions but they allow me to focus on the knee where I had surgery. My sports medicine doctor pointed out to me that my leg with the torn meniscus was less developed than the other leg while I was doing squats and dead lifts. He said I was favoring the good leg. I'm still only doing 30-35 pounds with my bad leg. I see lots of guys using over a 100 lbs on these machines. They jerk the weight up and don't do a full extension. I think this is where this machine can cause injuries.
I was never a fan of leg extensions but they allow me to focus on the knee where I had surgery. My sports medicine doctor pointed out to me that my leg with the torn meniscus was less developed than the other leg while I was doing squats and dead lifts. He said I was favoring the good leg. I'm still only doing 30-35 pounds with my bad leg. I see lots of guys using over a 100 lbs on these machines. They jerk the weight up and don't do a full extension. I think this is where this machine can cause injuries.
I was never a fan of leg extensions but they allow me to focus on the knee where I had surgery. My sports medicine doctor pointed out to me that my leg with the torn meniscus was less developed than the other leg while I was doing squats and dead lifts. He said I was favoring the good leg. I'm still only doing 30-35 pounds with my bad leg. I see lots of guys using over a 100 lbs on these machines. They jerk the weight up and don't do a full extension. I think this is where this machine can cause injuries.
It's all a matter of application. 20 to 25 pounds with a full extension and proper repetitions causes absolutely no damage to anything. And jerking the weight up is a very bad practice. The movement has to be smooth.
Every machine can cause injuries when incorrectly applied, short or long term. Doesn't need a doctor to figure that out.
Sorry, but these machines will do more damage to an already damaged knee. In fact, for the damaged knee these machines are no better than the old torture device called "The Rack"!
Exactly NEVER use those machines with bad knees.
Swimming is the best, but definitely talk to your doctor, not here
I'm not saying Sue or you for that matter need to pump 100+ pounds up, like many of us do, with all these machines. How about 10 pounds, 20 even. They are low in mass and with increased repetition like 20 to 25 per stretch, you could do some serious knee tightening and trust me, you're only going to be stronger.
Cycling and walking are just useless. Those muscles need to be toughened up.
There is no debate that some preventative toning needs to be done. An elastic band is safer than "the rack" that you suggested.
In addition once you have joint damage you have joint pain no matter how much chest pounding you want to do. Sorry but it sounds like you are a confirmed jock unable to relate to anyone who isn't a jock.
Oh yes, both normal paced walking as well as easy riding of a bicycle are preferred methods to heal an injured knee.
There is no debate that some preventative toning needs to be done. An elastic band is safer than "the rack" that you suggested.
In addition once you have joint damage you have joint pain no matter how much chest pounding you want to do. Sorry but it sounds like you are a confirmed jock unable to relate to anyone who isn't a jock.
Oh yes, both normal paced walking as well as easy riding of a bicycle are preferred methods to heal an injured knee.
Resistance bands are VERY good for repairing joints and rehabilitation.. as well as powerlifting applications!
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Exactly NEVER use those machines with bad knees. 
