Knee pain

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clarkeje1
clarkeje1 Posts: 1,638 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I don't see too many topics on here about knees so I thought I should bring this up. Sometimes I injure my knees (either from working out or trying to walk on heels...) and I'm concerned about doing serious damage to them. My knees were starting to hurt when I started working out again (I'm doing Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30) like a sharp pain when I would go down too far in a squat or what have you. They started to feel better again when I took a 4 day break but last night I worked out again and I had some pain in my left knee like I pinched a muscle or something. It concerns me because it wasn't bad enough to make me quit working out but I don't want to mess my knee up and do permanent damage and be out of commission for a long time. I'm wondering what are some things I should do to take care of my knee and prevent further injury? Does anyone use knee wraps or a certain knee stretch that helps them? I really want to take good care of my joints, they are kind of important to me lol. Thanks guys!

Replies

  • Iceman1800
    Iceman1800 Posts: 476
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    Squat back, not down. Think of sitting on the toilet, do you sit straight down or do you sit back to go down. Sitting straight down pushes your knees forward past your toes. That's what's causing the sharp pain.
  • Ph4lanx
    Ph4lanx Posts: 213 Member
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    Iceman's got it. Sounds like you're stressing the joint during training.
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
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    work on your abs and glutes ( especially the gluteus medialis)
  • RosscoBoscko
    RosscoBoscko Posts: 632 Member
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    My advise would be get it checked out by a doc asap.

    I ignored knee pain for years, till it got to the point that it felt like someone was holding a flame to the side of my knee. I now have no cartilage/meniscus in my left knee, having had to have it all removed due to damage done by the time I eventually saw specialist about it. I am still able to play rugby but from time to time do get pain there, and I have been told I can expect arthritis and needing a knee replacement by the time i'm 50 so would catch it early if i were you, just in case. Might be nothing major, but better safe than sorry.
  • jcpmoore
    jcpmoore Posts: 796 Member
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    My advise would be get it checked out by a doc asap.

    I ignored knee pain for years, till it got to the point that it felt like someone was holding a flame to the side of my knee. I now have no cartilage/meniscus in my left knee, having had to have it all removed due to damage done by the time I eventually saw specialist about it. I am still able to play rugby but from time to time do get pain there, and I have been told I can expect arthritis and needing a knee replacement by the time i'm 50 so would catch it early if i were you, just in case. Might be nothing major, but better safe than sorry.

    I have to agree with this. Form is very important with squats and such. But get the knee looked at. I ignored my pain for ages, thinking I would just "train around it." Not good. Now I wear a brace every day and care barely walk some days. Get it looked out now. It might be nothing, but better to be sure.

    HTH
  • coffeeQ2hrs
    coffeeQ2hrs Posts: 52 Member
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    what about constantly clicking joints when doing squats? (hips, knees, and ankles)
  • greeneyedKat
    greeneyedKat Posts: 88
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    Would like to find out the response you get...I too have the clicking
  • fasttrack27
    fasttrack27 Posts: 324
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    what about constantly clicking joints when doing squats? (hips, knees, and ankles)

    My understanding based on my physical therapist friend is clicking is ok as long as there's no pain with it. I have that in my right knee, even just walking down the stairs
  • wendiv130
    wendiv130 Posts: 26
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    My knees would click, pop, and have a sharp pain, especially with any type of exercise, even walking. I told my chiropractor about it, and he fixed them within a few sessions. I also started taking glucosamine to keep them well.
  • tobnrn
    tobnrn Posts: 477 Member
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    Knee pain can be caused by several things from no big deal to quite serious.

    When did the pain start?
    What makes it worse?
    What makes it better?
    Have you ever had this type of pain before?
    What have you tried to fix the problem?

    These are all questions your Dr will ask. If the pain isnt relieved using RICE seek medical attention.

    Rest
    Ice
    Compression
    Elevation
  • PLUMSGRL
    PLUMSGRL Posts: 1,134 Member
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    OK, if it's a muscle (above,below,back, or a side of the knee), then something that may help would be a foam roller- Walmart has them for about $20 (3 sizes in one) in the sports dept.

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-3-in-1-Massage-Roll/17804156

    Use the second part (yellow) lay on it with your thighs (you use your body weight), pull yourself so it travels up and down the thigh> Pause about 6" from the knee for 30-60 seconds, repeat as you move down a couple of inches. This helps to massage/stretch the insertion points of the quads, reducing the tension on your knees. Do for about 5-7 minutes before and after lifting. These rollers do make a difference, and can be used on all muscles of the body using the same technique.

    But if feels like it's under the patella (knee cap) go see an Ortho MD.

    feel better soon!
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,638 Member
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    Thanks for the responses everyone! No joints clicking, just the pain. I'm going to try to improve my form and if it continues to hurt or gets worse I will see a doc. I will also prolly try to get a brace or roller as well.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
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    I was in Physical Therapy for Knee Pain and Hip Pain, they gave me a bunch of exercises to work on hip strength, I got bored with them and switched over to the Brazil Butt Lift Program, I now do this daily in some form to keep my hips and knees healthy. It's worked really well, I'm knee pain free. I have a friend who was just in PT for knee pain as well, I asked him what they did for him, he said he has a bunch of hip exercises to do to help him strengthen his glutes to support his knees. I say more lunges, squats, donkey kicks, etc to keep your hips stronger.
  • jend2679
    jend2679 Posts: 6 Member
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    Any favorite moves to increase glute strength?
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
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    from this website.
    my phsio had me doing :
    clam shell exercises, sidelying hip abduction, standing hip abduction (with resistance band), and basic single leg balance exercises
  • greeneyedKat
    greeneyedKat Posts: 88
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    I love the BBL workouts and am currently doing them.....my favorite : high & tight! I started taking glucosimine chondroiton also. I think taking a fish oil or krill oil and drinking lots of water is good for the creaky joints too...I think years of gymnastics has taken it's toll on my knees though
  • greeneyedKat
    greeneyedKat Posts: 88
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    Thanks for the info PLUMSGRL....I am going to check out that roller :)

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