"Jeff" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:I've recently come back to training after a very long layoff. Before
the layoff of a couple years, I trained an average of four days a week
for almost five years. Over the five years I started mostly with
powerlifting and then went more into bodybuilding; squatting was
always a major component of my leg routine. As I'm coming back now
I'm getting pain and clicking in both knees, but more so in my right
knee. As I descend into a squat I get two nasty clicks in my right
knee: one just before hitting parallel, and one once I have descended
just below parallel. This isn't just a sound but the joint actually
clicks. I feel the pain mostly below the kneecap and it is pretty
localized, and I only feel it during that moment of motion (there is
not ache in the knee that lasts after exercising).
I realize nobody here is qualified to actually diagnosis a knee
problem, but some general comments would help me a lot so I can start
dealing with this both physically and psychologically. Any
suggestions about where to go first would be good, as I'm not sure if
I should go to an orthopedist or a sports medicine doctor. The
thought of weight training but not being able to squat just feels like
a joke to me. However, I also don't want to continue grinding on my
knee if I am going to exacerbate whatever the existing problem might
be. Again, any helpful comments would be appreciated, as this really
sucks.
No diagnosis but a suggestion: put your knees through an easy but full
range of motion repetitively, something like laying on your back on the
floor and pretend bicycling where you bring the knee towards the chest
then extend it fully. Some but not all joint dysfunction can be
improved by simply using the joint more, just take your time and work
into it. I'd start with a full range of motion - that means getting the
knee fully straightened, too - and a single set of 10 reps or so if you
can manage it, and work on adding reps and/or sets from there. Pavel's
"Super Joints" talks about this sort of thing, including why repetitive
motion of the right kind is good for your joints, and I recommend it
highly, see http://www.kbnj.com/sj.htm
Of course, if you suspect you're suffering from something other than
just plain lack of use, you should consult a doctor before you try this.
For me, riding a bicycle regularly at a relaxed, high cadence helps my
knees stay healthy. I do the above-mentioned exercise when I can't get
on a bike.
Another other thing you can try is changing or at least examining your
squatting form - make sure you knees track your feet, and also make sure
you're actively sitting *back*, not just lowering yourself. Sitting
back can help stabilize the knee joint.
Yet another thing you can try is one-legged work to improve stability
around the knee - one-legged squats and/or deadlifts are great.
-S-
http://www.kbnj.com
