Will knees get better?

Hobb3s

I've had chronic issues with my knees from patella tendonitis, which makes it exceedingly difficult to maintain a regular high impact activity/sport. I'm on the weight loss train now, and hope to drop 40 or so pounds. I'm hoping this will alleviate some of the pressure off my knees and allow for more high impact sport. Does anyone have experience with this, and had positive results?
Thx.

UsedToBeHusky

If your knee issues are from arthritis, then I can say yes. After I lost 35 lbs, my knee issues improved and I was able to pursue new exercises.

Hambone23

I hope so. I'm losing weight hoping it will help with my knees as well. (By the by, that is the most awesome lego picture I have ever seen.)

newme201213

i am not sure about your knee problems....but i have very weak legs....i was unable to run or do any other high impact cardio exercises and this made be very depressed...
but i realized once you star working out...no matter how small it is...ur knees will slowly get healed...ur muscles will build up slowly..dont start with high impact exercises...start with something low and keep going up...
do have enough protien if you do weights..
remember nothing is impossible
good luck

MaximalLife

I've had chronic issues with my knees and patella tendonitis, which makes it exceedingly difficult to maintain a regular high impact activity/sport. I'm on the weight loss train now, and hope to drop 40 or so pounds. I'm hoping this will alleviate some of the pressure off my knees and allow for more high impact sport. Does anyone have experience with this, and had positive results?
Thx.

Yes, both my knees and hips.

When fat, I had to ramp down the intensity of everything to compensate.
When I got below 210, suddenly the pain just vanished. I could run, play tennis better - everything.

Just make sure you've been checked out by your doc, and then keep it low impact until you reach a point in your journey when you too will feel better.

dfborders

I have yo-yo'd my whole life with my weight. At my thinnest my knees hurt the most due to the high impact cardio I was doing. I am going to start exercising again but not running - I will be doing the eliptical mostly for my cardio and mix in some stairs and biking and see how it goes. It all depends on what is causing the knee pain. As some have mentioned if it is caused by arthritis - losing weight may help alleviate the pain; however, doing high impact aerobics may cause more wear and tear on top of the arthritis that may not heal or may not heal as quickly due to the arthritis. Just be careful and listen to your body - if you hurt doing something stop. If the pain is not your normal pain but increases - stop. Maybe try lower impact aerobics or walking or biking. It may take a little more time to see the results but if you are not in pain and continue with the program without getting discouraged then it may be worth it. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

SueInAz

This is probably a better question for a medical professional but here is some information:

A combination of factors may contribute to the development of patellar tendinitis, including:

* Intensity and frequency of physical activity. Repeated jumping is most commonly associated with patellar tendinitis. Sudden increases in the intensity of physical activity or increases in frequency of activity also put added stress on the tendon.
* Being overweight. Additionally, being overweight or obese increases the stress on the patellar tendon, and some research suggests that having a greater waist circumference or higher body mass index may increase the risk of patellar tendinitis.
* Tight leg muscles. Reduced flexibility in your thigh muscles (quadriceps) and your hamstrings, which run up the back of your thighs, could increase the strain on your patellar tendon.
* Malalignment of your leg bones. The way your leg bones line up could be off slightly, putting strain on your tendon.
* Raised kneecap (patella alta). Your kneecap may be positioned higher up on your knee joint, causing increased strain on the patellar tendon.
* Muscular imbalance. If some muscles in your legs are much stronger than others, the stronger muscles could pull harder on your patellar tendon. This uneven pull could cause tendinitis.

Conservative treatment
The conservative approach to treating patellar tendinitis aims to reduce the strain on your tendon and then gradually build up the tendon's strength. Your doctor may suggest several techniques to accomplish this, including:

* Rest. Rest doesn't mean giving up all physical activity, but avoid running and jumping. Your doctor can suggest other ways of staying active without stressing your damaged patellar tendon. It's especially important to avoid any activity that gives you pain.
* Adjusting your body mechanics. A physical therapist can help you learn to better distribute the force you exert during physical activity. For instance, an athlete who jumps frequently might learn proper takeoff and landing techniques.
* Stretching your muscles. Inflexible muscles, especially inflexible thigh muscles (quadriceps), contribute to the strain on your patellar tendon.
* Strengthening your tendon. A physical therapist may recommend specific exercises to strengthen your patellar tendon and the muscles around it. Exercises can also help strengthen your quadriceps. A specific type of exercise for strengthening the quadriceps called eccentric strengthening has been shown in some studies to help treat and prevent patellar tendinitis. This strengthening exercise involves lowering weight slowly after raising it, such as a seated knee extension exercise.
* Patellar tendon strap. A strap that applies pressure to your patellar tendon can help to distribute force away from the tendon itself and direct it through the strap instead. This may help relieve pain.

The short answer is that since being overweight can lead to the problem, then losing weight could help relieve it. However, that's only if you haven't done enough damage so that it's permanent and if that's what caused the problem in the first place. Adequate stretching and strengthening your thigh muscles can also help. It's amazing how many knee problems are caused due to weak thighs and hamstrings. I'd definitely suggest talking to your doctor about your plan to increase your physical activity and get specific advice for your situation.

amsparky

Yes it will get better! I too have the curse and get this - I run 4 days a week now, pain free. The key was building up the leg muscles to stabilize and losing weight to reduce the forces...Knees feel better than they have in years!!

Hobb3s

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be chatting with my physiotherapist about it. Just good to hear that I may get my knees back... maybe next winter downhill skiing will be in the cards.

webdiva1

in the meantime, can you work in the water at all? it can be a heckuva good workout and WAY easier on knees.

jennabellaxoxo

I have bad knees and cannot do high impact excercizes, jump, bicycle etc...my tendons are lax and do not track correctly causing major issues (from years of HEAVY dance cheer and gymnastics)..I wear a brace alot of the times and have to keep perfect form when doing squats lunges etc...I cannot add weights when I do squats, but I can do a leg press...You will find what works...dont push your knees to a breaking point but do push the rest of your body...there is plenty you can do! good luck!

jennabellaxoxo

sorry souble post!

marthafox1

Physio advised me to use a trampette (or rebounder) to do high impact stuff although you are fairly limited as to what you can do, (ie., you are stuck to one spot doing various forms of jumping up and down) you can still get your heart rate up and minimise the impact on your knees and it helps build strength in your legs as well.

I also take glucosamine with condroitin and MSN/cod liver oil and collagen tablets to help improve joints and am currently pain free.

I found losing 3 stone helped a lot too!!

latinqueencee

Depends on the damage. Have them do xrays. I thought my knee pain was just my body adjusting but no,,,,I have arthritis, and tons of spurs, and no cartilage left....just bone on bone. My Dr. doesnt want me running, or jumping, or kneeling, or squatting etc. I do it anyway but I do what I can tolerate. Eventually he says I'll need a knee replacement....bummer. My thinking is eventually just about everyone will need something. Maybe childish but I dont want to feel like I have some sort of handicap so I push myself but when I feel uncomfortable, I stop. I'm doing 30DS and it becomes difficult when it is time for lunges but I modify them and have had no issues. Listen to your body, it'll let you know how much you can tolerate.

MaryKayStrausser2012

The knee joint is a weight baring joint which increases the risk of injury on any part of the joint. I am sure you will find more relief as you lose weight. Since patella tendonitis is an inflammatory condition, ice and elevation would greatly help if you are not already doing so. I hope you can find ways to work around your condition to enhance your weight loss and hopefully gain pain relief in the end.

cclark1203

Physio advised me to use a trampette (or rebounder) to do high impact stuff although you are fairly limited as to what you can do, (ie., you are stuck to one spot doing various forms of jumping up and down) you can still get your heart rate up and minimise the impact on your knees and it helps build strength in your legs as well.

I also take glucosamine with condroitin and MSN/cod liver oil and collagen tablets to help improve joints and am currently pain free.

I found losing 3 stone helped a lot too!!

I took Martha's regimen of collagen and added it to my Triple Flex that I take and my knees were a lot better in about a week. Not totally gone but better.