I suffer from pretty sore knees and find walking up stairs etc very difficult at times because of the pain. I'm almost certain that the problem is atrophy of my VMOs (particularly in the left leg) causing incorrect patellar tracking (you can hear the clicking from across the room).
Any tips on how I can try to rehab these hard to hit muscles? I was thinking of investing in an EMS machine to try to shock them back into action - literally!
One thing that I have found that helps so far is to construct a small step and repeatedly step up it, increasing the height as pain allows.
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Hi
I suffer from pretty sore knees and find walking up stairs etc very difficult at times because of the pain. I'm almost certain that the problem is atrophy of my VMOs (particularly in the left leg) causing incorrect patellar tracking (you can hear the clicking from across the room).
Any tips on how I can try to rehab these hard to hit muscles? I was thinking of investing in an EMS machine to try to shock them back into action - literally!
One thing that I have found that helps so far is to construct a small step and repeatedly step up it, increasing the height as pain allows.
Please see a physical therapist or orthopedist.
In the meantime, if riding a bicycle causes you no discomfort, you might try that as it will probably help strengthen the muscles in the area.
Unfortunately, riding a bike causes me a lot of discomfort, and I think riding with my injury has contributed to my problems. The VMO is a tricky muscle to work as it doesn't seem to move anything. As far as I can tell its job is to maintain patellar tracking. Once it has wasted it is difficult to get it firing at the right time to control the patella. This not only leads to all the noises, pain and swelling ( I have Baker's Cysts in both knees), but will lead to chondromalacia patella and arthritis if I'm not careful.
Living in the UK you can't just see a therapist, only a GP. I am on a waiting list.
Unfortunately, riding a bike causes me a lot of discomfort, and I think riding with my injury has contributed to my problems. The VMO is a tricky muscle to work as it doesn't seem to move anything. As far as I can tell its job is to maintain patellar tracking. Once it has wasted it is difficult to get it firing at the right time to control the patella. This not only leads to all the noises, pain and swelling ( I have Baker's Cysts in both knees), but will lead to chondromalacia patella and arthritis if I'm not careful.
Living in the UK you can't just see a therapist, only a GP. I am on a waiting list.
£50 at most will get you an appointment with a PT, if you're a student less.
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
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Unfortunately, riding a bike causes me a lot of discomfort, and I think riding with my injury has contributed to my problems. The VMO is a tricky muscle to work as it doesn't seem to move anything. As far as I can tell its job is to maintain patellar tracking. Once it has wasted it is difficult to get it firing at the right time to control the patella. This not only leads to all the noises, pain and swelling ( I have Baker's Cysts in both knees), but will lead to chondromalacia patella and arthritis if I'm not careful.
Living in the UK you can't just see a therapist, only a GP. I am on a waiting list.
You might want to Google "chondromaltia patella" and see if that fits your symptoms. It's the fancy name for "runner's knee" and the classic therapy for that is simply sitting on a table or firm chair, raising your leg to horizontal with the knee locked, and doing partial lowering and raising to locked again. After a while, a light weight can be used - I used a few soup cans in a gym bag.
I'm no doctor and I don't know if this will work for you.
Try also taking an anti-inflammatory like Naproxen or ibuprofen (don't know what they're called over there).
You might want to Google "chondromaltia patella" and see if that fits your symptoms. It's the fancy name for "runner's knee" and the classic therapy for that is simply sitting on a table or firm chair, raising your leg to horizontal with the knee locked, and doing partial lowering and raising to locked again. After a while, a light weight can be used - I used a few soup cans in a gym bag.
Chondromalacia patella.
Not a spelling flame, exactly; you suggested he google. This'll work.
"T" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
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Steve Freides said:
You might want to Google "chondromaltia patella" and see if that fits your symptoms. It's the fancy name for "runner's knee" and the classic therapy for that is simply sitting on a table or firm chair, raising your leg to horizontal with the knee locked, and doing partial lowering and raising to locked again. After a while, a light weight can be used - I used a few soup cans in a gym bag.
Chondromalacia patella.
Not a spelling flame, exactly; you suggested he google. This'll work.
I am always glad to have my spelling corrected - thank you.
Living in the UK you can't just see a therapist, only a GP. I am on a waiting list.
People have come to depend and expect too much from the NHS in my opinion. I pay to see an excellent local Sports physio for most injuries before trying to see my GP and then going to a specialist.
I see Martin Mitchell at the Luton Regional Sports Centre, he charges around £25. if you are based in the North London, Hertforshire region then we have a number of recommendations from athletes on this page: http://www.tri-force.org/sports_physios.html
The root cause of my problem is my back. I ruptured L5-S1, which among other things caused me to lose feeling in my legs - left for over two years from mid-thigh downwards, right mostly just down the inside, hence the atrophy. As for NHS treatment, mine consisted of a mixture of Voltarol and Tramadol. I do know what physios/chiropractors etc cost. I've spent over 6k in the last 4 years on them.
I suffer from pretty sore knees and find walking up stairs etc very difficult at times because of the pain. I'm almost certain that the problem is atrophy of my VMOs (particularly in the left leg) causing incorrect patellar tracking (you can hear the clicking from across the room).
Any tips on how I can try to rehab these hard to hit muscles? I was thinking of investing in an EMS machine to try to shock them back into action - literally!
One thing that I have found that helps so far is to construct a small step and repeatedly step up it, increasing the height as pain allows.
LGF
Try investing in a medical consult first. You've got long term pain and muscle atrophy, that's not something to muck around with.
Ari
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problem is atrophy of my VMOs (particularly in the left leg)
Atrophy of the VMO usually occurs secondary to an insult to the knee
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Any tips on how I can try to rehab these hard to hit muscles?
Lie on you back with straight legs. Externally rotate the leg, i.e. angle your foot outwards and then lift you heel 10cm off the floor. Repeat x500 per day.
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I was thinking of investing in an EMS machine to try to shock them back into action - literally!
Don't.
Quoted message said:
One thing that I have found that helps so far is to construct a small step and repeatedly step up it, increasing the height as pain allows.
Actually, that might make it worse if you're not careful, but if it's helping, keep at it.
