Knees hurt while doing squats..

Eleonora91

This happens to me too. I suppose it is because I'm heavy and I'm not used to use the muscles around my knees, I was afraid I wasn't squatting the right way (who knows, but I've watched carefully some tutorials and I honestly wouldn't see any difference), I think it gets slightly better with time, so try to make just a few daily, do not exaggerate and if it lasts for like more than 1 week ask someone to visit your knees maybe.

Mischievous_Rascal

Can only say to check your form first and foremost. Make sure you are sticking your bum out rather than forward, watch that your knees aren't going over your toes - are you squatting fully? Big cause of knee injury is not doing full squats. Maybe google some techniques and squat in front of a mirror to check your form.

No expert, that's my only advice, hope it's nothing serious. If in doubt and your knees still hurt I'd get checked with a physio- your knees are way too important to mess around with !

This

Also, try a wider stance and see if that helps. I was having the same problem at first, then after widening my stance, had no problem at all.

I second both posters' advice. My pain went away after I widened my stance. And make sure you're warming up with some bodyweight squats or a lighter weight on the barbell.

Edit: You may need to strenghen your adductors, too.

pattyproulx

Agree with those saying to check your form or see a PT.

Also, when focusing on form, don't worry if you lower the amount of weights for a little bit. Start a little lighter and work your way back up.

It could also be that a certain muscle in your leg isn't as strong as it needs to be for the amount of weight you're squatting so going down a bit and working your way back up slowly could give those muscles the chance to strengthen.

If the pain persists, you'll definitely want to have that looked at by a professional.

tigersword

99% of the time pain or Injury is caused by bad form. The other 1% is usually a genetic issue. Check your form, and if that's not the issue. See a doctor. The absolute worst advice in this thread is from the people telling you to just push through it. Pushing through sharp pain is never the right thing to do.

Check your form. Make sure your toes are pointed out, and make sure your knees are pushed out and follow in line with your toes. Don't worry if the go forward of your toes, depending on the length of your legs and torso they might go beyond them. The important part is to keep them in line.

Get a certified professional to check your form. If it's right, see a doctor.

jobegone

See a professional clinician. Nobody on here is qualified to give you advice.

I didn't realise u had to have a qualification to give advice these days !!! Haha, I thought these forums were to ask/get advice, granted there is no one who can give a diagnosis but advice - anyone can help u with that

DavPul

I simple cannot believe this thread is still going

MstngSammy

Video yourself squatting from a few different angles.

Go to the Eat, Train, Progress group and post in the form check thread

Explain what sort of pain you're getting in detail

^^^^^^Yes. Awesome info and support in that group.

asimmons221

CANCER

QFT

MstngSammy

Check your form, if you're doing it right, check with a doctor. I have the same type of problem in one knee (I also have the same pain with lunges and even climbing stairs that I have with doing squats) I checked my form, had my trainer watch to make sure my form is correct and then went to a doctor. For me according to the doc, my problems is genetic (ie the structure of the knees I was born with, my knees don't bend correctly), compensation issues from when I had torn a tendon in my ankle (this is the knee that it is the worst in, the other knee is just a slight twinge when I bend it too far), and my weight. I can lessen the knee pain by losing weight, the squats, lunges, and climbing stairs will help strengthen my knee and as I lose weight and strengthen my knee the pain should lessen (I may never be fully free of it because of the genetics side of it and damage done from when I injured my ankle, but the frequency that I have that pain will be less, it should be an occasional twinge like the other knee)

I have similar issues. Patellar tracking disorder (my kneecap scrapes against the walls of the groove it's meant to ride in) caused by an injured tendon, caused by over doing plyo while being overweight sighs...and not strengthening the supporting muscles first. Only choice for now.....build strength in knee supporting muscles and tendons (an imbalance in quad/hamstring strength can cause patellar tracking disorder too) and losing weight.




But yes. Check your form to see if it that's what it is. But if that sharp pain continues I would definitely see a doctor. A damaged tendon that doesn't heal properly may cause a lifetime of discomfort (Im feeling that because 3 docs misdiagnosed me with arthritis be fore I found a doc that looked past me being an overweight, 38 yo mom)


(opinions and results may vary)

MstngSammy

Oh yeah. I should add that strengthening my legs and bringing balance to stabilizing muscles has helped TREMENDOUSLY. Now I'm left with slight tendonitis symptoms (from the damaged tendon that didn't heal correctly)