back of my knee

[archive_HULK1550]

for the last couple of weeks i have had a weird click in the back of my left knee. Its only during deadlifts and the negative portion of the lying leg curl. it causes a little discomfort but not what i call pain. I just try to avoid injuries at all costs. has anyone experienced this? Do you know what it is? Should i be concerned?
thanks

1stRule: Show Up!
2nd Rule: Squat!

[archive_Killer]

When you say the "back of your knee" I am guessing it is at the rear portion (ham and calf), not behind the kneecap, correct?

Do calf or ham stretches reproduce the pain? Can you palpate (poke around) any painful spot? Does it hurt every rep?

Following a god warm-up and stretching routine?

[archive_HULK1550]

it was killing this morning during my ham/calf routine. it stretch the hell out of it. its like a pop at the bottom of the a rep on the lyin ham curl. However, i added winny a couple weeks ago and think this may have something to do with it. Other joints are sore though, just behind the knees and yes, its not the back of my kneecap, its where the bottom of the ham meets the top of the calf.

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2nd Rule: Squat!

[archive_Killer]

It def could be the winny. As you are aware, many have had problems with joints and winny.

I would just make sure you stretch, ice after workout, and try to avoid the beginning range of leg curls (or any other precise movement that bothers it). Then re-evaluate after the winny.

It possibly could be popliteus tendonitis or strain. The popliteus is known as the muscle that "unlocks" the knee (lateral rotation of the femur with respect to the tibia).

Another option is plantaris tendonitis or strain. The plantaris helps flex the knee (leg curl) and is proximally attached to the distal, posterior femur and distally attached at the tuberosity of the calcanues (heel).

[archive_HULK1550]

Thanks killer,
Yesterday was my last leg workout with the winny. Ill let you know if that was the problem or not.

1stRule: Show Up!
2nd Rule: Squat!

[archive_HULK1550]

Ive been off the winny for 2.5 weeks now and i had zero pain today on the leg curl, so im going to go off on a limb and say the winny was at least a major culprit in this.

1stRule: Show Up!
2nd Rule: Squat!

[archive_Killer]

Good to hear you are OK.

Congrats

[Taffy]

I had this MRI scan report of my knee after a rugby injury. The injury occurred 3 months ago. Can anyone give me a layman's version of what this means? And what are the chances, and risks, of me playing rugby again?

"There is a major institial tear of the proximal and mid medial collateral ligament. The medial collateral ligament itself is indistinct, there does appear to be some retraction. There has been a significant avulsion injury of the proximal medial collateral ligament. There is an interstitial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament. Anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligaments are intact. Minor miniscal tears identified. Moderate effusion."

You only go round once....so you may as well go round with big arms!!

[archive_Killer]

You have 4 ligaments in/around your knee. The two on the sides of the knee are the medial (inner knee)collateral and lateral (outside knee) collateral ligaments. The two inside your knee joint are the anterior and posterior cruciate.

Your medial collateral has pulled away some from the lower portion connecting to bone. It also has a tear running through it. You have a tear in the body of your posterior cruciate. Some minor mensicus (cartlidge) tears. Swelling in joint in moderate.

You do not really need to worry about your medial collateral. Usually heals enough without surgery, and it is not your most important ligament (your ACL is). The posterior cruciate should be ok. Surgery is hardly performed for anything except ACL. Of course, if they go in and something else is torn they will fix everyting in conjuction with the ACL.

Follow a good rehab-strength program and you should be fine. I have known many with your injuries that performed at the same level post injury.

Did your ortho give any advice?

If the posterior crucite is completely torn away (avulsed) surgery is an option. When the orhto tests your PCL does he/she comment that you have a lot of laxity (movement)? If a lot of laxity is present this can also mean surgery because if not repaired it will allow excessive wear on your meniscus (the same thing happens with an unrepaired ACL), which you do not want.

[This message was edited by Killer on 03-25-2003 at 10:12 AM.]

[Taffy]

Thanks for the response, Killer!
My physio is being very non-committal at the moment. He has put me on something called a Cybex machine to measure the knee joint strength during the various stages of exercise.
He said that my knee is significantly weaker than my "good" knee. He has given me a weight training program designed to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee. I have been following this, but it's now well over 3 months and I still can't run without pain and be aware of weakness in my knee whenever I move about.
I have an appointment with the specialist on Wednesday to consider the possibility of operation. I want to avoid an op if possible.

Again, thanks for the sound advice!!

You only go round once....so you may as well go round with big arms!!

[archive_Killer]

That machine measures isokinetic strength, strength levels at various speeds. It is used alot to test surgical vs non surgical knee.

What kind of program have you been on? At 3 months you should be much better. Maybe the rehab is not aggressive?

[Taffy]

He has been recommending things called "open chain exercises".....basically these are exercises which do not isolate the knee. Squats, step ups, leg presses and lunges. I've also been doing light jogging on a machine.
Can you think of anything that you would recommend to do in addition to what I'm already doing.
I'm too old for an op.......it would end my rugby career.

You only go round once....so you may as well go round with big arms!!

[archive_Killer]

Actually, those are closed chain exercises. An open chain exercise would be leg extensions or leg curls. The official definition of cles chain is something like "when the distal end (that would be your foot) is fixed". Although, it is debated on what can be considered open or close chain, but that is splitting hairs.

That sounds like a general knee rehab. By now you should be able to do pretty much any leg exercises. Throw in a lot of unilateral (one leg) movements. One leg squats, deads, presses, and back extensions are good. Of course lunges and step ups are great also. Do not neglect sports specific stuff either. Jumping, shuffles, backpeddle, and anything else/drills you can think of.

[This message was edited by Killer on 04-01-2003 at 02:53 PM.]