Think an over the counter knee brace would help this?

[vi edit]

I'm 30 and the joints just don't hold up like they used to. I can run all day and not have issues. But I have problems after I play basketball. I'm not sure if it's the jumping or the lateral movements that aren't present in basic running.

But what happens is I'll play 2 hours of basketball and feel fine while playing. But by the time I get home my knees are toast. I have serious pain under my kneecaps, near the top half of my knee. It hurts just to walk and going up and down stairs is nearly impossible. My knees just give out on me and I'll fall if I'm not holding onto the railing.

After a nights sleep I'm fine again. Until I play the next week.

I've got really bad ligament problems all over my body though- chronic achilles tendonitis and I almost always hyper extend my shooting elbow resulting in a few days of misery until they mend up.

I'm just wondering if it's worth trying a knee brace to keep my knees in check.

 

[BassBomb]

Do you warmup / stretch before playing?

 

[vi edit]

I usually shoot around for 20 minutes or so before hopping into a game. I try to be pretty active while warming up and get a sweat going. I don't do a ton of stretching before hand because I've found (and studies back this) that it's not that beneficial and can actually cause harm.

My cooldown usually consists of the last game where we are usually dragging ass and walking the court

 

[GenHoth]

I had a similar problem. Braces will help, but strengthening your legs helps more. As you get tired your posture suffers in game and your running motion gets pretty ugly. This is probably whats causing it. Since I started squatting I haven't had any real problems with them.

 

[vi edit]

I try to get in some leg workouts weekly, but have been pretty bad lately. I've got a 4 month old cutting into my time and I've been fighting some nasty bugs for the last 3 weeks that zapped me pretty hard.

I usually get in squats, hip induct/abductions, calf raises and hammy curls.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: vi edit
I try to get in some leg workouts weekly, but have been pretty bad lately. I've got a 4 month old cutting into my time and I've been fighting some nasty bugs for the last 3 weeks that zapped me pretty hard.

I usually get in squats, hip induct/abductions, calf raises and hammy curls.

Face it Josh, you're not getting any younger and you might think about hanging up the BB shoes if you want to be able to walk without pain when you get to be 40.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: vi edit
I try to get in some leg workouts weekly, but have been pretty bad lately. I've got a 4 month old cutting into my time and I've been fighting some nasty bugs for the last 3 weeks that zapped me pretty hard.

I usually get in squats, hip induct/abductions, calf raises and hammy curls.

Face it Josh, you're not getting any younger and you might think about hanging up the BB shoes if you want to be able to walk without pain when you get to be 40.

I'm wondering if an MRI would turn up anything that could be scoped out and get me a few more years of lower pain. It's hard to get something like that setup for a pain that goes away though.

 

[GenHoth]

really just get a brace and watch the way you run in game. It helped me and I had the exact same pain you have now. Good luck!

 

[Capt Caveman]

I would try using a neoprene knee sleeve and see if that helps. I'd also recommend icing your knees after playing. If not, then I'd see an orthopedic specialist.