Any advice for a bad knee?

[Connoisseur]

I've got a bad right knee. if I put excess pressure on it, it tends to hurt like HELL. It's been this way for a few years now but it's only been a big problem the past few months since I started working out relatively seriously. Heavy squats especially make it hurt so badly that sometimes i'm afraid it's going to give out. It also becomes a problem when I go skiing. Anybody have any advice on how to make it better (or prevent it from getting worse)? Obviously I don't want to blow out my knee, but at the same time I don't want to stop lifting or stop enjoying the more fun activities (skiing, running, biking etc.).

 

[PaperclipGod]

Go to a doctor. They know more about knees than computer nerds.

But in case that isn't an option:
What kind of pain is it? Sharp? Throbbing? On the "outside" or "inside" of the knee? Is there any weird movement of the kneecap? Any strange noises or feeling when you move the knee? Does it hurt after a long period of inactivity, or only when you're doing stuff?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: Connoisseur
I've got a bad right knee. if I put excess pressure on it, it tends to hurt like HELL. It's been this way for a few years now but it's only been a big problem the past few months since I started working out relatively seriously. Heavy squats especially make it hurt so badly that sometimes i'm afraid it's going to give out. It also becomes a problem when I go skiing. Anybody have any advice on how to make it better (or prevent it from getting worse)? Obviously I don't want to blow out my knee, but at the same time I don't want to stop lifting or stop enjoying the more fun activities (skiing, running, biking etc.).

So, go see a doctor! You may have damaged cartilage and, stay off your feet as much as possible till you do.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Go see a doctor.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I use to have a dull pain in my right knee going up stairs. It started as a sophomore in college and was off-and-on until recently. The fact that I moved to DC, sold my car, and now walk a lot helped improve the situation.

 

[Brutuskend]

I broke my left knee YEARS ago.

No health insurance, so when the hospital told me to go see a specialist I couldn't.


At the time I have been a MAJOR cyclist for YEARS. As soon as I was able to use it in the least again, I started biking again using the leg just a bit at first and building up. Now it's almost as good as new, and it was WAISTED!! In fact, I've ran into MAY people that had undergone surgery for the same thing or even LESS of an injury that now have MORE problems tan I do with mine!

Main thing is make SURE you have the saddle of your bike at the RIGHT HEIGHT!!!! Otherwise you can do MORE damage!

Also, at first I used DMSO a bit, sometimes with a small bit of aspirin mixed in. If you DO use DMSO (If you even know what that is) be VERY careful to make sure the area you use it on is VERY VERY CLEAN!!!!!!

 

[Connoisseur]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod
Go to a doctor. They know more about knees than computer nerds.

But in case that isn't an option:
What kind of pain is it? Sharp? Throbbing? On the "outside" or "inside" of the knee? Is there any weird movement of the kneecap? Any strange noises or feeling when you move the knee? Does it hurt after a long period of inactivity, or only when you're doing stuff?

I'm probably going to schedule a doctor's appointment, but should I get an orthopedist right off the bat or do I have to get a recommendation from a regular doctor? In either case, I can hear kind of a cracking sound when I swing my knees (like when you crack your fingers), although it doesn't hurt when I do so. My friend who also has a bad knee has this same exact issue. When I do heavy lifting on my legs, I get a sharp pain around the middle of my knee which feels like it's below the kneecap. If I take pressure off of it, the pain goes away. It only hurts when I put pressure on it.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Arthroscopic surgery ftw.

 

[Connoisseur]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Arthroscopic surgery ftw.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd like to avoid surgery if possible. If I could do some exercises to heal the area, i'd rather do that. I see a lot of lifters/athletes use those knee braces. Do they generally help with a bad knee?

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: Connoisseur

I'm probably going to schedule a doctor's appointment, but should I get an orthopedist right off the bat or do I have to get a recommendation from a regular doctor? In either case, I can hear kind of a cracking sound when I swing my knees (like when you crack your fingers), although it doesn't hurt when I do so. My friend who also has a bad knee has this same exact issue. When I do heavy lifting on my legs, I get a sharp pain around the middle of my knee which feels like it's below the kneecap. If I take pressure off of it, the pain goes away. It only hurts when I put pressure on it.

If i had to guess i'd say it sounds like torn cartilage. You can go right to an orthopedic surgeon, referrals aren't necessary unless your insurance insists on it.

If i were you i'd lay off the heavy squats for a while.

 

[DaShen]

Lose some weight and try to do Physical Therapy to fix it. You won't be the same if you need surgery.

ALso, with enough time, you get used to the pain.