Knee osteoarthritis and resulting muscular imbalance

[djwilson]

Female, 45 years old, did crossfit and some running for the past year (I did barbell lifting on and off for years prior), recent diagnosis of osteoarthritis with bone spurs in all 3 chambers of my right knee. Stopped crossfit about a month ago and running about 2 months ago due to knee pain and my doc gave the typical advice to never squat, lunge, deadlift or run ever again and he said I should take up swimming and cycling. Definitely not going back to crossfit or running but I'm determined to continue lifting and would like to eventually start entering powerlifting comps and maybe try some strongman stuff.

The program I just started is this:
Monday/Friday: Squat for 3 sets of 5/alternate BP and OP 3 sets of 5/Chins (and negatives since I can only do a couple)
Wednesday: Deadlift for 3 sets of 5/alternate BP and OP 3 sets of 5/Good mornings 3 sets of 8

I also walk 3 miles M-F

Starting the squats light since they still bother my knee.

My question is should I add any additional strength exercises for my right leg? I worked through pain for many months and overcompensated with my left leg so now my left leg is noticeably more muscular and stronger than my right. I was thinking of adding simple leg extensions and curls for my right leg on squat days at the end of my workout but would appreciate any advice on this or my workout plan above, thank you!

[Nick Delgadillo]

It shouldn't be necessary. Although you may notice it now, since you're starting your squats light, things should balance out fairly quickly.