What should I do?

myiceisonfire
myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
When I was in a high school I popped out my knee. The cartilage in that knee is pretty damaged & the dr said it's fine and will get better over time.

About 5 years later... I took it easy & my knee hasn't bothered me... Until I started to work out.

I'm doing 30 Day Shred right now, Day 12 today. After I'm done working out, I'm pretty much limping.
I also clean horse stalls at a boarding stable on Fridays. After I'm done doing that, I'm pretty much limping too.

I don't want to "take it easy" for the rest of my life. I took it easy for a little over 5 years. Now it's time to get this chub off, and you can't do that by only eating good foods. I need to work out.

Any advice?

Replies

  • kylee_marie
    kylee_marie Posts: 299 Member
    do you have access to a pool? great workout and very easy on the knees
  • TateFTW
    TateFTW Posts: 658 Member
    You need to build strength in the joint. This will come by being active, but not pushing it too hard. I know, you want to go now, and you're motivated, but you have to deal with overall health, not just getting thinner. I have knees the pop and click, and always choose the worst times to go bad. I was squatting over 315 lbs. 6 months ago, then my right knee mysteriously went to crap and wouldn't bend. Now I have trouble squatting anything over 135, and I've had to slowly build back up the strength in the joint to get to this point.

    Ther eare also certain veggies and supplements that promote joint health. Do some digging around the web and you should find good info.
  • LillysGranny
    LillysGranny Posts: 431
    See if you doc will send you to pt -- they can direct you to specific exercises that will help.
  • AlyAnt26
    AlyAnt26 Posts: 58
    I have had two knee surgery's and am told to "take it easy" as well...I just don't. My first was a shredded ACL, got that fixed and about 3 years later, tore the meniscus (sp?) into 4 pieces, which they couldn't repair, so was just removed. I wear a knee brace when I do Kickboxing, Running, etc...but usually just a walk doesn't bother it too bad. Take some Aleve and drink plenty of water to reduce inflammation before/after you exercise. Also, you can take a Glucosamine tablet every morning. It builds natural lubricants between your joints to help ease some of the pain!

    Best of Luck!!!
  • myiceisonfire
    myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
    You need to build strength in the joint. This will come by being active, but not pushing it too hard. I know, you want to go now, and you're motivated, but you have to deal with overall health, not just getting thinner. I have knees the pop and click, and always choose the worst times to go bad. I was squatting over 315 lbs. 6 months ago, then my right knee mysteriously went to crap and wouldn't bend. Now I have trouble squatting anything over 135, and I've had to slowly build back up the strength in the joint to get to this point.

    Ther eare also certain veggies and supplements that promote joint health. Do some digging around the web and you should find good info.

    Ouch. Anytime I bed my knee it crunches. Squats suck for me too now.
  • stmrachel
    stmrachel Posts: 3
    My knee hurts after 30 Day Shred also sometimes. You might want to try it without doing the squats (just a gentle knee bend instead). The squats and lunges seem to be what makes mine hurt (the jogging, jumping jacks, jump rope, etc. doesn't seen to bother it). Or, if that feels too easy, you can crosstrain... walking up an incline on the treadmill, or a big hill around my house doesn't seem to bother my knee. I have to agree with another post though - swimming is fantastic (I'm just too lazy to get to the pool). Also, I had a pain doctor tell me that if I strengthen my quadriceps the knee won't get hurt so easily... so maybe when your knee does not hurt, work on your quads to strengthen them (I know - it's tough because the quad exercises require knee movement).
  • chrikoko12202007
    chrikoko12202007 Posts: 141
    I've never had problems with my knees until working out. & my husbands cuz never had any problems with hers until 30DS, so, it could just be a normal soreness. Id watch it due to ur history with a bad knee but as long as its not like killing u, ur knees will probably get used to it. (@ least i hope so bc my joints are aching). good luck
  • myiceisonfire
    myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
    I've never had problems with my knees until working out. & my husbands cuz never had any problems with hers until 30DS, so, it could just be a normal soreness. Id watch it due to ur history with a bad knee but as long as its not like killing u, ur knees will probably get used to it. (@ least i hope so bc my joints are aching). good luck

    I wish it was just because of that, but it's actually only the left knee. =(
  • 27strange
    27strange Posts: 837 Member
    I have dislocated my knee 3 times in the last 10 years, doing damage to cartilage but never torn anything or required surgery. Its rough and recovery sucks. My knee was last injured 7 months ago. Its only been in the last month that I have been able to return to running 3 miles regularly, without pain and swelling. But I've only worked at repairing the knee for the last 2 months as far as strengthening it purposefully and exercising regularly. It takes time to strengthen those joints back. Do you wear any sort of knee brace to provide extra strength and stability? I do all my workouts in one.
  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    Swimming
  • chrikoko12202007
    chrikoko12202007 Posts: 141
    oh man, that sux, do u have a brace for it??
  • myiceisonfire
    myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
    oh man, that sux, do u have a brace for it??

    No, but I haven't actually thought of getting one before. Now that people have suggested it, I probably will. =)
  • mountainmare
    mountainmare Posts: 294 Member
    I also injured my knee with torn cartilege in high school (disclaimer--I'm now 62) and was told to try to strengthen it to avoid surgery. Finally after having it lock constantly while playing tennis in college I did get it repaired. I have led and continue to lead an active life...yep, I also follow a program of muckercize with my horse. I am always careful with the knee. I wear an elastic brace when I ski and am very careful about squats and lunges. As soon as I feel a twinge I back off.
    I just finished the 30 day shred in 30 days in June. While the jumping jacks and most other moves didn't bother me (I've learned to land lightly instead of thumping) the plank jacks and sumo squats were just not worth the risk.
    If you feel the twinge in just your bad knee back off!!! Also pay attention to the mechanics of how you are mucking stalls, I know I was getting a bit of back pain and had to change my movement, and learn to muck evenly on bothsides instead of being a right handed mucker, its awkward but it helps.
    A knee brace can help, but please don't use it as an crutch to mask strengthening and protecting your knee...after all in 40 years don't you want to be like me? I just got home from 15 mile bike ride, that I did after schooling my horse.
  • fujax2005
    fujax2005 Posts: 5
    I very much agree with one of the other posts that you need to strengthen the joint first before you do anything too strenuous or high impact... in the long run, this will lead to far more damage.

    I've had many problems with my joints (knees included) for years and all together have done about 2 or 3 years of PT, which has helped tremendously (i'm in my late-20's btw). The main point I took away from PT is that you have to baby the joints a bit until you get the muscles around the joints better. If the muscles aren't strong then you are going to hurt the joint itself (cartilage, tendons, and bones). Swimming is great for cardio, but to strengthen your joints try isometric exercises using resistance bands. These are great because they help strengthen, but limit your range of motion so you are less likely to overextend. Many can also be done sitting or lying down, so it is fairly low impact.

    I just did a quick google search to show you what I'm talking about, this site talks about the resistance bands, but you probably could find actual exercises through google too.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/419409-the-best-isometric-exercises-with-resistance-bands/

    Good luck!
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