The Best Sex Positions for Bad Knees

You can have a satisfying sexual life even if you have knee discomfort. You can lessen the amount of knee movement required by switching up your sex positions.

Did you know knee pain is one of the most prevalent joint issues? Indeed, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, between 1979 and 2002, the number of knee replacement procedures performed in the US rose by around eight times. (Go on, clitoris; you don't appear to be the most delicate bodily part.)

What's the thing with a lot of kneeling?

You've probably guessed it already—sex—because you're on Kinkly.

Many sex positions cause knee strain. When it comes to bedroom time, those annoying knee joints may truly irritate us in several ways, whether you're kneeling for oral sex, getting on all fours for doggy style, or stooping down to attain the perfect height for penetration.

And that isn't very good! The purpose of sex should be to connect with your partner and have amazing, enjoyable sensations. Undoubtedly, knee pain is a significant diversion from that!

Knee pain, however, does not preclude having a satisfying sexual life. You can lessen the amount of knee movement required by switching up your sex positions.

The ideal sex positions for knee pain are as follows:

Editor's Note: Since every person experiences knee pain differently, there are no objective "best" sex positions for knee pain. To discover which sex positions feel comfortable for you, try a variety of them, including ones not on our list!

The Best Sex Positions for Receiving Partners With Bad Knees

1. The Happy Scissors Position

By placing the hips of the receiving partner on the lap of the penetrating partner, the Happy Scissors adds a playful variation to "standard" Missionary. The knees are eliminated while maintaining an erotic face-to-face sex position by keeping the receiving partner's legs straight.

Good to Know: Take note of the receiver's leg placement. Although spreading the legs demands several tight muscles for most of us, this posture can be hot! Ensure the penetrating partner doesn't become overly enthusiastic and force the legs over their comfortable stretching threshold, unless the receiving partner has been practicing side splits.

Try It With: Your go-to enormous sex toys! There is a lot of area for sex devices that might not work with other positions because of the amount of space this position creates between your bodies.

2. The TV Dinner Position

The receiving partner sits in their preferred chair for this position. This can be a terrific method to have close, personal, in-person sex while straying from the "standard" Missionary position; however, it can take some chair roulette to find the ideal location.

Good to Know: Unlike the Love Seat position, which calls for a deep, wide chair, the TV Dinner posture calls for a fragile chair. The penetrating partner will find it simpler to straddle and accomplish penetration as a result. Just make sure your slim chair can still support the weight of both lovers!

Try It With: Anal toys! Adding anal gadgets, particularly butt plugs, for the receiving spouse is incredibly handy when the TV Dinner position is in use. The base of the anal toy is forced into the body by the chair pressing up from below them, making it less likely to fall out when they contract their muscles. This is a fantastic place for toys without an exposed handle.

3. The Jockey Position

The Jockey Position can be fun if you still want to try other creative positions and have a yoga ball on hand. There is no pressure on the receiving partner's knees because the yoga ball supports their weight. The receiving partner can unwind into the experience without putting any strain on their lower body, but the penetrating partner's knees must be in excellent condition.

Good to Know: Use caution when using small or inexpensive yoga balls. We are all aware of how intense sex can get, and if you pop the ball and fall to the ground, it will undoubtedly cause knee pain. We suggest a robust, fully-inflated yoga ball for the right height and peace of mind that you won't fall to your death. (Not really. However, you understand.)

Try It With: stimulation of the breasts. Nipple suckers can be an excellent way to sensitize the nipples in advance, as the receiving partner's chest will probably rub against the yoga ball throughout your motions. Wearing nipple clamps during intercourse is another option. To see if the vibrations from the ball's base are effectively transferred to your nipples, you may also try sliding a wand massager against the ball's base. A little science is in order!

4. The Grand Slam Position

With a perfectly flat stance for the receiver, the Grand Slam position eliminates the need for knees. After that, the penetrating partner can ascend on top for a thrusting or grinding motion that is easier on the knees but harder on the hips.

Good to Know: The receiver's upper body position will probably need to be adjusted. Their knees will probably be forced into the ground below them if they attempt to assume the light Cobra stance depicted in the illustration. The receiver should lie completely flat for the softer knee sensations. If you're performing this on a firm surface, like a firm mattress, you might want to place a soft pillow beneath the receiver's knees for more support.

Try It With: Some impact play! Do you both like being flogged? If so, this position may feel a little kinky due to the penetrating partner's dominant posture on top of the receiver. If so, you may make this intercourse position even more delicious by incorporating some kinky elements, such as vampire gloves, exposed booty tape, or shackles like the Sexy Submissive kit.

The Best Sex Positions for Penetrating Partners With Bad Knees

1. The Stand Down Position

To reduce pain, the penetrating partner can continue to stand with their knees neutral while engaging in sexual activity near the edge of a surface.

The ideal surface height is crucial for the Stand Down position. The penetrating partner may attempt to compensate by getting on their tiptoes if it's too tall; if it's too short, they will need to stoop with their knees tightly engaged. In the middle, you need your Goldilocks!

Try asking the receiver to experiment with how far apart they extend their legs if you don't have furniture of ideal height.

Good to Know: Here, pay close attention to angles. Communication is necessary to maintain this sex position neutral on the penetrating partner's knees. (Communication is always required, but go a step further here.) The receiving partner may need to press even more forward or back to keep the knees neutral. Height may also be included in this: The penetrating partner may stoop in an attempt to make up for the receiving partner's potential sagging as they approach orgasm. Maintain those channels of communication open and ensure the penetrating partner feels free to speak up if the angle unintentionally shifts.

Try It With: A swing for sex. Excessive? Perhaps a little. But a terrific time, too! The receiving partner can be held in place by putting the strap of a sex swing beneath their hips and/or chest. This makes it much harder for the posture to gradually drop as you two approach orgasm, in addition to allowing the receiving partner to unwind into the feelings.

2. The Love Seat Position

You can both "take a seat" together and ease the pressure on the penetrating partner's knees by employing a chair for the Love Seat sex position. The receiving partner faces inwards, in contrast to many other sitting sex positions, to lessen the possibility of using the seated partner's knees as a point of balance. Instead, the intimate, close position and the supportive hands of the penetrating partner around their back provide the balance. It feels more pleasurable than an embrace!

Good to Know: Small chairs should be handled carefully. The receiving partner must maintain extreme stability to make this posture as comfortable and knee-safe as possible. We aim to prevent them from leaning backwards and placing their hands on the penetrating partner's legs if they cannot maintain their balance while leaning forward. To provide the lap space you require to keep your balance, think of performing the Love Seat position on a couch or a bottomless, broad chair. Remember to cuddle close to them as well—it helps! Try to go all the way to the floor, as in the rearward Slide position, if you must modify the angle rearward to prevent straining your knees.

Try It With: penetration twice. This can work well for double penetration after you learn the balance needed to execute the Love Seat position. You can use additional body-safe sex toys or dildos to improve the experience if the penetrating partner spreads their knees, which will reveal their butt. A double-penetration harness, such as the Spareparts Deuce, could be worn by the penetrating partner to provide an extra anchor point for a toy.

3. The Amazon Position

Many penetrating partners with knee pain find that the Amazon sex position, despite its outrageous appearance, works surprisingly well. The penetrating partner's legs merely flex and follow along since the receiving partner's knees and calves support their bodyweight. This can be a substitute that offers a comparable "feel" while taking weight off the knees, particularly if the penetrating partner finds that weighting on top of their legs during Rider-on-Top postures hurts.

Good to Know: This one will require the receiving partner to have powerful quadriceps. The receiver's quadriceps could be used to "power" the entire action for this sex position, but if they are weak or get weary, they will unintentionally start pressing down on their partner's knees, which will put strain on them. Maintain open lines of communication and leave this position if you observe that occurring.

Try It With: a point of hold for the recipient above. Giving the receiver an overhead gripping point, such as from a bed frame, an over-the-door sex swing, or even a suspension trainer designed for exercise, can help them pull themselves up without putting any pressure on their partner's delicate knees if you really want to avoid pushing them past their quadriceps' limits.

4. The Desk Domination Position

The sex specialist has recommended another standing position! The Desk Domination position uses a stable desk, table, or other tall surface to minimize knee bending. We advise choosing a surface marginally lower than the penetrating partner's typical height to prevent further knee discomfort. This will give penetration a more downward angle, as shown in the figure, making it extremely difficult for the penetrating partner to utilize their knees inadvertently.

Because the receiving partner only needs to wrap their legs around their partner to keep them in place, this position can also be relatively gentle on their knees. Rough knees can also be soothed by a different leg position, such as a sex sling or pressing the legs against the wall behind the penetrating partner!

Good to Know: Choose your surface wisely. It must support the receiving partner's weight and more! With every thrust, the Desk Domination position's downward slant will cause the table to move back and forth, a hazardous task for an outdated, flimsy table that will end up in the trash. Make sure the surface you select is robust and stable. You could even use the counters in your kitchen!

Try It With: a clitoral vibrator or penis stroker. The role of Desk Domination leaves no one's hands full. Think about praising the receiving spouse with your hands or a sex toy to ensure that both partners have a fantastic time. The penetrating partner's torso is leaning forward, which will decrease the distance between your bodies; thus, we suggest smaller toys. If you're employing this position to stimulate the anal region of someone who has a vulva, G-spot vibrators can also be a terrific addition.

The Best Sex Positions for When Both Partners Have Bad Knees

1. The Carnal Clutch Position

The Carnal Clutch position makes sex more comfortable for all by utilizing the power of a spreader bar. The penetrating partner can stand as long as the receiving partner is moved to the edge of an elevated surface. This lessens the knee tension and keeps both partners' legs straight.

This sex position is particularly knee-friendly because of the spreader bar. The penetrating partner can "snuggle" the spreader bar at a comfortable distance to lessen any forward leaning that might strain the knees because the tethers can be adjusted in length.

Good to Know: As the figure illustrates, the receiving partner will not have to bend their knees at all to achieve the Carnal Clutch position—minimized knee pain, check!—but their hamstrings must be sufficiently flexible to allow them to bring their legs back towards their head without bending them. Make sure the Carnal Clutch fits your body comfortably based on your flexibility. If not, that's okay too; you can experiment with a hundred other sex positions!

Try It With: Talea, the Liberator! The above illustration shows this piece of sex furniture. This padded, pillow-like spreader bar is more comfortable to cuddle with than its metal predecessors. (And you've also opened up a whole new range of sex positions once you have a spreader bar!)

2. The Ho Ho Position

The Ho Ho position relieves weight from anyone's knees with ingenious placement. The position can be excellent for intimacy through full-body touch and eye contact, even if it primarily allows for modest movements.

Good to Know: The Ho Ho posture puts no weight on anyone's knees, but if the receiver's knees are sensitive to bending, it can still be a no-go. Take your time, communicate with others, and discover what your body responds to best.

Try It With: A little electrosonic play! The Ho Ho posture might be a fantastic fit for adding inestim toys because it minimizes movement and provides a stunning visual display. For hands-free stimulation, electrodes from an Electrosonic Powerbox could be positioned around the receiver's genitalia.

3. The Sex Swing 69 Position

If you both have knee pain, it can be nearly impossible to pull off 69-ing. However, thanks to the power of a sex swing, the 69 sex position makes it conceivable.

The top partner can stand rather than kneel by lifting the bottom partner's body into the air, relieving all the strain on the knees. The top partner only needs to bend over, and you can locate the ideal place for the bottom partner because most sex swings are completely height-adjustable.

Good to Know: Here, the top partner's hamstrings must be flexible. (It goes without saying that we should all stretch more for the bedroom!) It will be tough for the top partner to bend over sufficiently to perform oral sex while simultaneously receiving it with their legs straight if their hamstrings are overly tight. But it's not all lost if that's the case! To preserve the "simultaneous" elements that made you fall in love with 69-ing, have the top partner use their hands or sex toys instead. And together, begin your stretching routine!

Try It With: Some sultry tunes! This stance truly suits seductive or dirty music for some reason. It might be that both of you can move and gyrate a bit while in the air!

4. The Twin Standing Pleasure Position

If both partners have knee pain, the majority of standing sex positions will be your best friend. As you both do your thing, the Twin Standing Position just so happens to incorporate the magic of a hands-free wand massager to delight the receiving spouse.

The Liberator Axis holds a wand massager for clitoral stimulation in the above illustration. However, a different type of sex furniture, such as the Fleshio Top Dog, can accommodate a penis stroker to provide penis-owning people with comparable pleasure (like when pegging)!

To make additional space while keeping the knee-gentle aspect of this position, have the receiving partner bend forward if the penetrating spouse has a mushy stomach.

Good to Know: You might have to try a few different things to get your heights to match. If the receiving partner is too short, you can attempt this sex position on the stairs or with a riser (such as an aerobic step!) for them. This position might not be a suitable fit for both of you if the receiver is too tall.

Try It With: a blindfold. For the receiving partner, this posture may already seem overstimulating (in the best possible manner), but taking away their sense of sight can make it even more sexual. Be careful not to throw the blinded receiver off balance by making modest, controlled movements!

5. The Binding Spoon Position

If you both suffer from knee pain, spooning sex positions are a fantastic fit. The Binding Spoon position modifies the conventional spooning position by elevating the leg. Since "The penetration's too shallow!" is one of the most frequent complaints regarding spooning, the front partner's raised leg permits a little deeper penetration, which can be excellent.

Good to Know: The front partner's bottom knee should be cautiously handled. Deeper penetration may be possible by lifting that leg, but if you both use a lot of force, it may begin to press the front partner's lower knee into the ground underneath you. This could not even be an issue, depending on what causes your knee pain. To make sure that's the case, check in together.

Try It With: A little bondage! Although holding your leg in the air can be exhausting, constraints can be beneficial. An under-the-bed restraint system can be used to secure the ankle of the lifted leg in an ankle cuff to the bed underneath you. The tether can lessen the muscular activation needed to keep the leg in the air. After that, you two can maintain the sex position for longer. It benefits both parties!

6. The Good Spread Position

A Rider-on-Top variation that relieves pressure on the receiving partner's knees is the Good Spread position. The receiver puts a lot more weight on the penetrating partner's hips by straightening their legs, though, so make sure it's comfortable for both of you before committing to this unusual sex position.

Good to Know: The receiving partner's weight may impact your ability to execute this posture. Some bones or internal organs that may be a little "ouch-y" may be squashed by leaning too far forward or backward, particularly if the receiving partner is bigger than the person beneath them. To choose the optimal locations for you and your spouse, maintain open communication lines.

Try It With: Cock rings! With the Good Spread, getting a lot of movement will be difficult, but the deep penetration and added feeling from a cock ring can enable you both to experience an orgasm.

7. The Tight Squeeze Position

The Tight Squeeze posture eliminates the need for knees for both partners by utilizing a tall, hip-height surface. When the surface is at the right height, the receiving partner can just let their legs hang pleasantly while the penetrating partner can stand up, comfortably straight.

A sex sling can be your greatest buddy if the receiving partner finds it uncomfortable to keep the knees in the air (it's undoubtedly a high-strength action!). Pushing the seating surface against a wall or furniture might also be a good idea. For instance, if the table is close to the rear of a sofa, the receiver can place their legs on top of the couch while the penetrating partner can sandwich themselves between the sofa and their partner. A more straightforward solution would be to have the receiving partner rest on a tall chair behind the penetrating partner's calves.

We advise avoiding having the penetrating partner support the receiver's knees to prevent knee discomfort. This could encourage the receiver to crouch to "scoop" beneath their partner's legs.

Be Careful With: the butt bones of the receiver. The recipient might have to tuck in their pelvis to obtain the required angle for entry, which could expose the tailbone. If the receiving spouse is experiencing pain in this position, place some non-slip cushioning underneath them (such as a gardening pad!).

Try It With: vibrators for couples, particularly the hands-free, U-shaped models! If you have the necessary balance, you will remain in ultra-close contact while in the Tight Squeeze posture.

8. The Pair of Tongs Position

The Pair of Tongs position is the task we leave for you. You don't have to let poor knees stop you from experimenting with other sex positions!

Before trying this one, check that the penetrating partner can deadlift about 75% of the receiver's weight and that the receiver has a firm side plank.

Good to Know: Depending on your size, the receiver's top knee can be the closest point of contact. To preserve the knee joint, the penetrating partner should aim for the mid-thigh or mid-calf instead.

Try It With: Depending on your stature, the closest point of touch may be the receiver's top knee. The penetrating partner should instead target the mid-thigh or mid-calf to protect the knee joint.

Conclusion

Regardless of the severity of your knee pain or that of your spouse, you should be prepared to get started with this list. Don't be scared to experiment with different sex positions, though, if none of these respect your bodies as they are right now!

 One requirement for good sex is that all parties feel good. You deserve to enjoy yourself, knee pain or not!