knee pain and stiffness

thirtyandthriving

So any time I walk upstairs, bend my knees there is a lot of creaking. I've had people ask my as I am walking up a flight of stairs with me "Is that your knees?" They are stiff and sometimes swollen. I haven't injured them that i know of (except for being overweight 5'8 220llbs). If i bend at my knees or have them in one position for more than a few seconds they become kind of "locked" and it is difficult to get out of that position. It becomes very bothersome during workouts and makes it difficult to do my exercises completely.

Has anyone had this problem or know someone that has? Or has an idea why this could be happening?

This has been going on for a couple of years or more, but in the past 6 months has gotten much worse. Started exercising for the first time since my daughter was born (March 2009) and it hasn't helped or made it worse.

MissingMyOldSelf

I'm going to bump this, because I'm interested in what people say. I've suffered with dislocating kneecaps all of my life, and I have a permanent problem with my right knee. This past weekend, I must have strained it doing too much walking on uneven land.... so I spent most of my time this weekend with it propped up and iced.

The only thing that helps me is to keep pushing through and exercise. It helps, but I also know my limits and when to stop when I feel like something might overdo it. Have you taken Glucosamine and Chondroitin? I haven't but I have a lot of elderly relatives that rely on it, and swear by it.

ItsMeLori

Walking or biking is the best kind of workout for knees. I have arthritis and running or high impact does bother my knees.

BigDaddyBRC

GO SEE A DOC. You could very well have a bone-on-bone situation or patellar tendon issues. If it's not too bad, it is possible to be rehabed through PT. That being said, locking joints are no bueno.

BigDaddyBRC

Let me restate the patellar...Make that a meniscus tear. you have 2 of these anteior and posterior. In a lot of cases, you wont "feel" tear. What may be happening is that the tendon is getting caught in the joint.

lynn1982

You should go see your doctor first (see poster above), but aside from that - I have problems with my knees and ankles cracking. I've had it for as long as I can remember and lately my elbows have started cracking too. When I was 12 years old, my ballet teacher sent me to the corner because my knee cracking was disturbing her. In any case, my doctor doesn't seem worried about it since it does not cause me any discomfort (but then again, nothing ever worries her). It was suggested that I see a chiropractor, but I can't afford that at the moment. It might be an option for you...

zeeeb

yep, i have the creaking... my partner has it too, his surgeon (he had an orthroscopy or something) said it was air being released, but yeah, it sounds nasty, and sounds like your knees are going to fall apart at any second. i also can't squat for more than a few seconds, and can't sit it certain positions on the floor because of knee pains and aches. I am ultra careful with my knees and avoid anything that is to knee heavy (like squat jumps or jumping lunges), i am always very careful to make sure i get my positioning right and take my time with squats and lunges.

i have achy knees and they are the first then to get sore on my body especially if i jog.

I have been taking glucosamine for the last 4 months or so, and it really helps with the joints.

eviltwinkie

Go see a doctor. Weight is definitely a factor, but so many other things can be involved. With knees, it’s just not worth guessing/messing around with.

I have one problematic knee I baby with a light neoprene brace for jarring or strenuous exercising (the heat it generates seems to do the trick for me). Oddly, even bowling counts as jarring. It’s my ‘slide’ leg. I also tend to avoid knee heavy, jarring type exercises, or if I do them, keep it light and make sure I had a good slow warm up first. And the brace on.

I also get the arthritic kind of knee pain in both knees around PMS time (ever since I was a teen). That’s my particular curse, instead of cramps. Blech. Aches so bad, it feels like if I could rip the knee cap off and rub inside, it would make it all better… lol…thank god it never lasts long.

thirtyandthriving

yes. the doctor is on my list..but you need times for things like that. Just wondering what your guys opinions were. Thank you for the input. It does kind of feel like a bone on bone situation. Also it seems that behind by knees swell (left one in particular). My knees also "pop" like when you crack your fingers, but that doesn't hurt. I haven't tried glucosamine/chondroitin but do know about it, I am in the pharmaceutical field. I guess i didn't even think about that.