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Madonna Reveals a Disturbing Detail About Her ‘Bad Knee’

Her choice of footwear played a major role.

Cailey PetschHealth and Beauty Intern

PublishedJun 22, 2026, 5:39 PM EDT

UpdatedJun 22, 2026, 5:39 PM EDT

Updated Jun 22, 2026, 5:39 PM EDTPublished Jun 22, 2026, 5:39 PM EDT

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The Queen of Pop announced she’s trading in her stilettos for Peloton sneakers after the pain of performing in sky-high shoes took a toll on her body.

After decades of performing, Madonna said certain footwear has caused long-term damage.

“Well, I have a bad knee now,” the 67-year-old pop icon told Interview Magazine. “I have no cartilage in it, thanks to dancing for so long in high heels, running on pavement, and doing Ashtanga yoga."

​“Up until a year ago, I was jumping on trampolines and doing dance cardio and doing a lot of what a doctor would call ‘loading on my joints,’” she said.

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Continuing, “Can’t do that anymore. So now I do Peloton bikes and the Versa Climber and high-intensity circuit training. I ride my bike outside a lot. I dance.”

​Ahead of the July 3 release of her newest album, Confessions on a Dance Floor II, Madonna detailed her knee issues.

Listening to her 2005 album and its to-be-released follow-up helps to motivate her while she stays active, she said.

“Yeah. Confessions I is killer to work out to,” she explained. “The new one, killer. In fact, I curated the record based on how much it made me move. And how I felt.”

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“[The album is] An hour and five minutes. And that’s how long my workout is,” she said. “It’s perfect.”

​“Well, the album is relentless. It keeps your f---ing body moving,” she said. “When we get to ‘LES Girl,’ I’m stretching. I’m crying, and I’m stretching.”

Her struggle with knee pain was first revealed in the announcement about a postponed performance.

​Ahead of a 2019 performance, the singer’s team wrote on her official website, “Unfortunately, Madonna’s Madame X concert this evening at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House is postponed. Madonna is currently dealing with a knee injury and has been advised to rest for the next three days to assist in her recovery.”

​While she started paying closer attention to her health, Madonna’s schedule was far from slow-paced, even after facing significant health challenges.

In 2023, the Celebration Tour was originally postponed due to an unrelated bacterial infection.

After recovering, Madonna embarked on a six-month tour during which the “Like a Virgin” artist sold 1.1 million tickets and performed in over 80 shows.

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Cailey PetschHealth and Beauty Intern

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