Knee pain from Elliptical machine

mcharping
mcharping Posts: 9
in Fitness and Exercise
For the last month I have been using the Elliptical machine almost daily. I developed slight pain or discomfort on the inside of my left knee. It got to the point where I went to an Orthopedist to have it looked at. He took x-rays and said there was nothing wrong with my knee but I may have arthritis so he gave me a shot. Last week I stopped using the Elliptical machine the pain has gotten better. I am wondering if my pain is simply from overuse. Has anyone else experienced pain using an Elliptical trainer?

Replies

  • CMGoodie
    CMGoodie Posts: 93 Member
    I have arthritis in both my knees and the eliptical aggrevates the poop out of it. I use it only for warm-up and upper body intervals and only for about 20 minutes.

    5 minutes for warm-up, 15 minutes for intervals and 5 minute cool down. This allows me to use my arms more than my legs with 1 min full speed, 30 sec cool down and keep this up for 15 and allow for 5 minutes of complete.

    Ironically, my orthopedist said not to use the treadmill as the impact will hurt my knee, but it's the treadmill that doesn't seem to bother it....the eliptical kills me.
  • TimeWarp9
    TimeWarp9 Posts: 91
    Same here!!! (on both the treadmill and the elliptical...). Everyone looks at me like I'm weird or something when I tell them the elliptical hurts my knees. Yes, there is no impact, but for me I think it has something to do with the 'steps' being too wide. For me, I think it is the angle of my knees to my hips that just makes the movement awkward, but it definitely hurts!
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    You need to have the stride set on the elliptical for your height and a cheap elliptical will often allow for side to side movement as well. If you're at a gym the machine quality should be decent but the stride may be too long for you. I had to buy a machine that could be adjusted for my short legs.
  • mcharping
    mcharping Posts: 9
    I appreciate your responses. Not that I'm an expert but I think the elliptical way your feet move creates stress on your knees. I have taken a break from so much cardio and doing more resistance training. My knee is feeling much better.

    The only sure fire way to to determine if you have arthritis is to do an MRI. If I can manage the pain I don't know if I should go through all that.

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