Weird Feeling in Knee from Squatting/Lunges

BlackPantherChick123 wrote: »

I been doing heavy squating and lunges plus deadlifts for 3 weeks now, and about a week ago or less, I notice a weird feeling in my right knee. It doesn't hurt but it feels like it's stiff, numb, tingly, popping sensation every now in then whenever I bend my knee. No pain at all but it feels so weird. I try researching but still not sure. Should I be worried or is it my body getting use to different movements and heavier weights?

Just a “popping” noise or sensation isn’t usually much to worry about - just stuff in the joint getting quickly expelled when you bend the joint.

“Stiff”, “tingly” and “numb” could be more concerning as it could indicate something becoming trapped or compressed in the squat movement.

Do you have anyone who can watch you and critique your form? Are you able to squat in front of a mirror? That might identify if it’s your form that’s causing the problem.

If it’s not form and the problem persists (or worse becomes painful) search out an expert like a physio.

BlackPantherChick123 wrote: »

I use a Smith Machine for my squats and split lunges since I'm a beginner and don't have a spotter but there are other people around if I do need help. I always use a mirror since the racks are in front of mirrors, I also do a lot of Sumo Squats. The weird feeling in my knee came after I started doing split lunges. I was worried at first but it doesn't hurt at all. Just feels so weird.

Assuming that your form is good (weight of heels, knees pushing out) and it’s not painful I wouldn’t worry. Docs rarely admit it but sometimes stuff just feels weird and there’s nothing they can do and indeed nothing is wrong.

Everyone is built slightly differently and everyone has quirks in their organs, joints, muscles etc. As long as it doesn’t hurt, don’t worry about it.

GrumpyHeadmistress wrote: »

BlackPantherChick123 wrote: »

I use a Smith Machine for my squats and split lunges since I'm a beginner and don't have a spotter but there are other people around if I do need help. I always use a mirror since the racks are in front of mirrors, I also do a lot of Sumo Squats. The weird feeling in my knee came after I started doing split lunges. I was worried at first but it doesn't hurt at all. Just feels so weird.

Assuming that your form is good (weight of heels, knees pushing out) and it’s not painful I wouldn’t worry. Docs rarely admit it but sometimes stuff just feels weird and there’s nothing they can do and indeed nothing is wrong.

Everyone is built slightly differently and everyone has quirks in their organs, joints, muscles etc. As long as it doesn’t hurt, don’t worry about it.

I dont know how true it is but Ive heard that a smith machine is harder on your knees/joint when doing squats and other things as your form isnt on par as it would be doing it without the machine. its said that you dont engage your core like you should when using it so you put more pressure on the lower half of your body

BlackPantherChick123 wrote: »

I don't plan on using the Smith Machine forever. I'm only using it for a few weeks to get use to it and for safety reasons. I'm not sure when I should try using without.

Now.

Switch to goblet squats. This page explains how:
builtlean.com/2016/11/30/goblet-squat-form/

Warm up your knees first on the elliptical, rower or bike for 5-10 minutes.

Video your squats instead of checking form in the mirror, which often causes an arching of the back, plus it develops a reliance on external cues for determining your position instead of by "feeling it".

Common mistakes on the stationary lunge: https://youtube.com/watch?v=AMfbdugbcL8

I used to try to squat in the smith machine. It's really awkward and a very different movement. So do a few reps in a squat rack or power rack with safeties with just the barbell to make sure you feel confident in the movement first.

I find my knees feel "weird" when I don't use my knee sleeves. Not sure if that's just in my mind, or actually something going on.

BlackPantherChick123 wrote: »

I have noticed the different feeling when squatting using the smith machine and barbell alone. I wished my trainer helped me use the racks rather than the machine. I'm more experienced than he gives me credit for.

Talk to trainer about this! Ask what steps/progress you need to make to get to the BB.

Sounds like your knee has become unstable. My wife had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with an ACL tear. I wouldn't stress the knee without an orthopedic evaluation.

BlackPantherChick123 wrote: »

How bad is it to do sumo Squats, lunges, good mornings/front squats, sumo clean deadlifts and stiff Leg deadlifts in one day? Stupid question, but I love doing lower body workouts and want to improve my legs.

i could do all that in one workout, except not the lunges i don't do lunges. I generally start with my low rep heavy sets , and the rest will be volume sets. But i also add things like high thrust, leg press, GHR, And i would only do this heavy volume leg day once a week.

BlackPantherChick123 wrote: »

How bad is it to do sumo Squats, lunges, good mornings/front squats, sumo clean deadlifts and stiff Leg deadlifts in one day? Stupid question, but I love doing lower body workouts and want to improve my legs.

How often are you doing all that?

See a doctor

SweatLikeDog wrote: »

Sounds like your knee has become unstable. My wife had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with an ACL tear. I wouldn't stress the knee without an orthopedic evaluation.

Highly unlikely to be an ACL year with no pain and no visible bruising (the ACL bleeds like h*ll when torn).

SonyaCele wrote: »

GrumpyHeadmistress wrote: »

SweatLikeDog wrote: »

Sounds like your knee has become unstable. My wife had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with an ACL tear. I wouldn't stress the knee without an orthopedic evaluation.

Highly unlikely to be an ACL year with no pain and no visible bruising (the ACL bleeds like h*ll when torn).

you can tear an ACL without any bruising or bleeding. and sometimes its not even super painful. Depends on the actual injury. A popping sound is generally a ligament stretching or tearing. Instability is a big clue of an acl issue. If you had an acl injury prior and your knee healed you will feel fine like nothing is wrong until you twist your knee or step wrong and then you'll realize there is a problem.

I’ll bow to your superior experience but in all my years I’ve never known of a new ACL tear that wasn’t accompanied by severe bruising and pain. Only when there is total separation and/or previous history of ACL tears (usually resulting in surgery and scarring) have I know it to present with no pain or hema. But again you probably have more experience.